How to Start an HVAC Business in Utah (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting an HVAC business in Utah requires a Specialty Contractor License (S350 classification) from the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). Utah’s licensing structure is straightforward – there is no separate journeyman or technician license required at the state level. Instead, the business owner or a qualifying party must hold the S350 HVAC contractor classification, with individual technicians working under that license. You will need 4 years of HVAC experience, a 25-hour pre-licensure course, two PSI exams, proof of liability insurance, and a surety bond. Utah’s booming construction market – driven by rapid population growth along the Wasatch Front – makes HVAC one of the state’s most in-demand trades.

HVAC Business Requirements in Utah at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC formation	Utah Division of Corporations	$59	Instant online
S350 Specialty Contractor License	Utah DOPL	$226 application fee	4-8 weeks after exams
25-hour pre-licensure course	ABC, UHBA, or AGC	~$300	Before exam
PSI S350 Trade Exam	PSI Exams	$72	Schedule after course
PSI Laws & Rules Exam	PSI Exams	$72	Same or separate day
General liability insurance	Private insurer	Varies	Min. $100K/$300K required
Surety bond	Private surety	Varies	Min. $15,000 required
Workers’ comp insurance	Private insurer	Varies	Required from 1st employee
EPA 608 certification	EPA-approved provider	$20-$50	Required to handle refrigerants

How to Start an HVAC Business in Utah (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Register your HVAC business as an LLC with the Utah Division of Corporations at businessregistration.utah.gov for $59. Your business entity must be established before DOPL can issue a contractor license to your company.

Step 2: Verify Your Experience

Utah requires the qualifying party (the person who holds the S350 classification on behalf of the business) to have a minimum of 4 years of full-time HVAC experience within the past 10 years. Document your experience with employer letters, pay stubs, tax records, or other verifiable records – DOPL reviews this documentation as part of the application. If you are buying an existing HVAC business, the new qualifier must independently meet the experience requirement.

Step 3: Complete the 25-Hour Pre-Licensure Course

Before sitting for the PSI exams, you must complete a 25-hour pre-licensure course from an approved Utah provider. Approved course providers include:

• ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) – Utah chapter
• UHBA (Utah Home Builders Association)
• AGC (Associated General Contractors)

The course covers Utah construction law, contractor business practices, licensing requirements, and HVAC-specific topics. Cost is approximately $300. Upon completion, you receive a certificate that you submit with your exam registration.

Step 4: Pass Both PSI Exams

You must pass two separate PSI exams:

Exam	Questions	Time	Passing Score	Fee
S350 HVAC Trade Exam	100	4 hours	70%	$72
Utah Laws & Rules Exam	60	2 hours	70%	$72

Schedule your exams at PSIexams.com. Exams may be taken on the same day if available. Study materials are available through your pre-licensure course provider and PSI. UPCHA (Utah Professional Contractors and Home Advisors) also offers study materials for the trade exam.

Step 5: Get Liability Insurance and Surety Bond

Before DOPL will issue your license, you must have:

• General Liability Insurance: Minimum $100,000 per incident / $300,000 aggregate. DOPL must be listed as the certificate holder on your Certificate of Insurance.
• Surety Bond: Minimum $15,000 (DOPL sets the exact amount based on your individual financial review). Contact a surety bond company to obtain a contractor bond.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Required from your first employee. Utah uses a private market – purchase from any licensed carrier.

Step 6: Apply for Your S350 License

Submit your DOPL application with all required documentation. The application fee breakdown:

• Qualifier fee: $50
• S350 HVAC classification fee: $175
• Administrative surcharge: $1
• Total: $226

Apply through the Utah DOPL online portal at commerce.utah.gov/dopl/contracting/ or contact DOPL at (801) 530-6628. Processing typically takes 4-8 weeks after all documentation is received.

Step 7: EPA 608 Certification

All HVAC technicians who purchase, handle, or recover refrigerants must hold a federal EPA Section 608 certification. This is a federal requirement (not Utah-specific) administered through EPA-approved testing organizations. Type I, II, III, and Universal certifications are available. The exam fee is typically $20-$50. Certification does not expire but technicians must stay current with new refrigerant regulations (the phase-down of HFCs is ongoing through 2026 and beyond).

Continuing Education

Utah HVAC contractors must complete 6 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle, with at least 3 hours being HVAC-specific (not general business). Licenses renew every two years. Keep records of your CE completion in case of DOPL audit.

Cost to Start an HVAC Business in Utah

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation	$59	One-time, online, instant
LLC annual renewal	$18/year
25-hour pre-licensure course	~$300	One-time, required before exam
PSI Trade Exam (S350)	$72	Per attempt
PSI Laws & Rules Exam	$72	Per attempt
DOPL application fee	$226	$50 + $175 + $1
General liability insurance	$1,500-$5,000/year	Min. $100K/$300K required
Surety bond ($15,000)	$150-$450/year	Min. $15K bond required
EPA 608 certification	$20-$50	Required to handle refrigerants
HVAC tools and equipment	$5,000-$25,000	Service van, diagnostic tools, etc.
Service vehicle	$10,000-$50,000	New or used truck/van
Workers’ comp insurance	Varies by payroll	Required from 1st employee

Estimated total startup cost (excluding vehicle): $8,000-$32,000

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• How to Start a Daycare in Utah
• How to Start a Hair Salon in Utah
• How to Start a Landscaping Business in Utah
• How to Start a Private Investigation Business in Utah

← Back to all Utah business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need to start an HVAC business in Utah?

You need a Specialty Contractor License with S350 HVAC classification from the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). The qualifying party must have at least 4 years of HVAC experience, complete a 25-hour pre-licensure course, and pass two PSI exams (S350 trade exam and Utah Laws and Rules exam).

Do individual HVAC technicians need their own license in Utah?

No. Utah does not require individual HVAC technicians to hold a state license. Only the business owner or qualifying party must hold the S350 classification. Technicians employed by a licensed contractor can work under that contractor’s license. However, all technicians handling refrigerants must have a federal EPA 608 certification.

How much does it cost to get an HVAC license in Utah?

The direct DOPL costs are: pre-licensure course (~$300) + PSI Trade Exam ($72) + PSI Laws and Rules Exam ($72) + DOPL application fee ($226) = approximately $670 total before insurance and bond costs.

What insurance is required for a Utah HVAC contractor?

DOPL requires a minimum of $100,000 per incident / $300,000 aggregate general liability insurance with DOPL listed as the certificate holder. You also need a minimum $15,000 surety bond and workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees.

How long does it take to get a Utah HVAC contractor license?

The timeline is roughly: pre-licensure course (1-2 weeks) + exam scheduling and testing (2-4 weeks) + DOPL processing (4-8 weeks). Total time from starting the course to receiving your license is typically 2-4 months.

Do HVAC contractors in Utah need to renew their license?

Yes. The S350 license renews every two years. Renewal requires 6 hours of continuing education per cycle (at least 3 hours must be HVAC-specific). Keep CE completion records in case of DOPL audit.