Utah DOPL Contractor Business and Law Exam Guide: Utah Code 58-55, R156-55a and the Prov Exam

Utah Business and Law Exam at a Glance

• Questions: 60 multiple-choice.
• Time: 120 minutes.
• Passing score: 70% (42 correct).
• Fee: $85, paid to Prov.
• Format: open book. You can take it at a Prov test center in Utah or remotely through Examroom.ai.
• Languages: English or Spanish.
• Retakes: 30-day wait. After a third failure, 180 days before each new attempt.

These facts come from the Prov Utah Contracting Business and Law Candidate Information Bulletin, effective October 29, 2026. Our mock exam uses the same 60 questions, 120 minutes and 70% target, but it is unofficial and covers the statute, not the business math.

Utah Business and Law Exam Content Outline

• Licensing: 10
• Estimating and Bidding: 6
• Contract Management: 6
• Labor Laws: 6
• Financial Management: 6
• Project Management: 5
• Risk Management: 5
• Tax Laws: 5
• Business Organization: 4
• Safety: 4
• Lien Laws: 3

Licensing is the biggest single area, and it is the one our practice bank covers in depth.

Who Needs the Utah DOPL Business and Law Exam

The DOPL Contracting Exam Information page lists these classifications:

• B100 General Building
• E100 General Engineering
• H100 HVAC
• R100 Residential and Small Commercial
• E200 and E201 Electrical
• P200 and P201 Plumbing

The electrical and plumbing classes also need the matching master classification. H100 applicants also pass a separate HVAC written exam, and DOPL says no pre-approval is needed to sit those exams.

Under Utah Code 58-55-302, contractor applicants complete a 25-hour prelicensure course. Experience requirements depend on the classification, so check yours with DOPL.

2026 and 2027 Changes to Utah Contractor Licensing

• Insurance: the DOPL Contracting page lists new minimums of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, effective April 20, 2026.
• H100 HVAC: for applications from April 20, 2026, qualifiers need RMGA or equivalent certification, two years of HVAC-specific experience verified by W-2s, and both exams.
• The 2027 rewrite: Chapter 58-55 is being rewritten and renumbered from January 1, 2027. Our bank follows the law in force now. If you test after that date, check the section numbers against the new text.

Approved Open-Book References for the Utah Exam

Prov lists these as open book:

• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management (Utah, 4th edition)
• Utah Contractor Education Book (HBA, 12th)
• The Utah Contractor Business & Law Manual (AGC, 1st)
• Utah Code 58-1 and 58-55
• Rules R156-1 and R156-55a
• Workers' Compensation Act 34A-2
• Centralized New Hire Registry Act 35A-7
• Pre-construction and Construction Liens 38-1a

Since June 2024, DOPL and Prov have let candidates open state laws and rules inside the testing platform, so you do not need to print the statutes.

Prov's book rules:

• Use permanent tabs only. Post-it notes and repositionable tabs are not allowed.
• Highlight and underline in pen before the exam. No marking during the exam.
• No handwritten notes, formula sheets or stickers.
• You may take up to 3 breaks, but after a break you cannot go back to earlier questions. The clock keeps running.

Utah Code 58-55 Licensing Rules on the Exam

These rules come from the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act (Title 58, Chapter 55):

• Handyman exemption (58-55-305): work under $7,000, including labor and materials, is exempt. Projects over $3,000 need a one-time insurance affirmation. Trade work such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC still needs a licensee.
• Qualifiers (58-55-304): notify DOPL in writing within 10 days when a qualifier leaves. The license stays in force for 60 days while you replace them.
• License number (58-55-304): it must appear on permit applications, contracts, agreements and bids.
• Financial responsibility (58-55-306): shown through the division's questionnaire or a bond. The applicant carries the burden, and the division may audit.
• Renewal and CE (58-55-303 and 58-55-302.5): licenses run on a two-year cycle, with six CE hours each cycle. Up to one hour may cover energy conservation. HVAC contractors need at least three HVAC hours.
• Local licenses (58-55-301): a city that is not your home base generally cannot demand its own contractor license.

Unlawful Conduct, Citations and Penalties Under Utah Code 58-55

• Unlawful conduct (58-55-501): advertising as a contractor without a license, or hiring an unlicensed subcontractor for licensed work.
• Unprofessional conduct (58-55-502): abandoning a project without the owner's consent, or failing to keep financial responsibility.
• Criminal penalty (58-55-503): unlicensed practice is a class A misdemeanor. An unlicensed bidder may not be awarded or accept the contract.
• Citations (58-55-503): the first-offense fine is generally up to $1,000. Later offenses can be up to $2,000 for each day the offense continues. You have 20 days to contest a citation, and citations must be issued within one year of the report.
• Immediate suspension (58-55-503): failing to tell DOPL about lost insurance or a change in qualifier can lead to immediate suspension.
• Division actions (58-55-401): reprimands, cease and desist orders, and revoking the right to recover from the Residence Lien Recovery Fund.

Prov Exam Day and Remote Testing for the Utah Contractor Exam

You can test at one of Prov's Utah test centers, at any Prov center in the US, or remotely from home through Examroom.ai.

For remote testing:

• A computer with a webcam and microphone.
• Chrome or Firefox.
• An upload speed above 3 Mbps.
• A private, quiet room with a clear desk and covered windows.
• No suitable computer? Prov lends laptops; call (866) 720-7768.

Rules that apply wherever you test:

• Cancelling: reschedule or cancel at least 3 days ahead, or you lose the $85 fee.
• No guessing penalty: answer every question, because only correct answers count.
• Results: you get them immediately, and Prov reports them to DOPL automatically.
• Flagging: you can flag questions and use the Summary screen to return to them, but not to questions from before a break.
• Arrival: doors open at least 15 minutes early. If the session has already started when you arrive, you are turned away and lose your fee.

A 4-Week Study Plan for the Utah Business and Law Exam

1. Week 1: Utah Code 58-55 and R156-55a. Take our practice test in study mode.
2. Week 2: the NASCLA Utah guide chapters on business organization, estimating, contracts and project management.
3. Week 3: labor law, workers' compensation, new-hire reporting, tax and the 38-1a lien law.
4. Week 4: two timed mock exams, then a review of every miss against the source.

Prov also sells a Utah Contractors Business and Law digital practice exam. Taking exams in other western states? See our Nevada and Arizona guides.

Utah Contractor Exam FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Utah Business and Law exam?

60 questions in 120 minutes, according to Prov's Utah Contracting Business and Law Candidate Information Bulletin dated October 29, 2026.

What score do I need to pass?

70%. On 60 questions that is 42 correct. Prov grades the exam as soon as you finish and sends the result to DOPL.

How much does the Utah contractor Business and Law exam cost?

$85, paid to Prov when you register. Rescheduling or cancelling is free if you do it at least 3 days before the exam. Otherwise you lose the fee.

Is the Utah Business and Law exam open book?

Yes. The approved open-book references include the NASCLA Contractors Guide (Utah, 4th edition), the HBA Utah Contractor Education Book (12th), the AGC Utah Contractor Business & Law Manual, Utah Code 58-1 and 58-55, rules R156-1 and R156-55a, the Workers' Compensation Act (34A-2), the New Hire Registry Act (35A-7) and the lien law (38-1a). DOPL says laws and rules can now be opened inside the testing platform.

Can I take the Utah contractor exam online?

Yes. Prov offers remote testing from home through Examroom.ai, as well as its test centers in Utah. You need a webcam, a microphone, Chrome or Firefox, and a clear, private room.

How many times can I retake it?

Prov says there is no limit on attempts. You wait 30 days after a failure, and after your third failed attempt you wait 180 days before each new try. DOPL's page describes the same 30-day and 180-day spacing.

Which Utah licenses need the Business and Law exam?

DOPL lists B100, E100, H100, R100, E200, E201, P200 and P201. The electrical and plumbing contractor classes also need the matching master licence.

Is Utah contractor law changing?

Yes. Chapter 58-55 is being rewritten and renumbered from January 1, 2027. Our questions follow the law in force now, and we will update them when the new text takes effect. DOPL also raised the insurance minimums for new contractor applications to $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate from April 20, 2026.

How hard is the Utah Business and Law exam?

You get 2 minutes per question, and the 70% pass mark is moderate. Licensing is the biggest single area, with 10 questions. Because so many references are allowed, knowing where each answer lives matters more than memorising everything.

This is an independent study guide, not affiliated with DOPL or Prov. Check current details in the latest Prov bulletin and on the DOPL website.