Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments
What changed between versions
Created a new Construction Services Commission and a separate Electricians and Plumbers Licensing Board to oversee licensing.
Added a mandatory 'qualifier' requirement for contractors, requiring an owner or manager to exercise material authority over the business.
Mandated criminal background checks for all license applicants and individuals holding a 10% voting interest in contractor entities.
Revised retention rules to limit withheld funds to 5% of payments and required interest-bearing accounts for retained funds to protect subcontractors.
Added new definitions for 'construction trade,' 'qualifier,' 'control position,' and 'combustion system' to clarify regulatory boundaries.
Updated licensure qualifications to include specific experience requirements for HVAC contractors and clarified pathways for journeyman electricians.
Established stricter denial periods for applicants with prior license suspensions or revocations and added penalties for wrongful withholding of retention funds.
Refined exemptions for small projects under $7,000 and added specific rules for volunteers and solar panel workers.
