Utah licensing laws

The bond is filed with Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) as part of the contractor license or registration application (or renewal). The surety issues the bond on the state's required form naming the state as obligee; most contractors qualify on the owners' personal credit and the bond is often issued the same day. Note this is the license bond only, project bid, performance, and payment bonds are separate obligations posted per job.

The bond must stay continuously in force for the license to remain active. Sureties renew the bond on its own term and file continuation certificates; a lapse or cancellation is reported to Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) and can suspend the license.

No state-level debt collection license is required in Utah. Check for any local or municipal registration rules. Review your obligations under the federal FDCPA.

No state license means no renewal cycle applies. Keep your practices FDCPA-compliant. Watch for any future state licensing legislation.

There is no charitable solicitation registration to file in Utah. Utah eliminated its charitable organization registration requirement effective 2024; rules for professional fundraisers and certain commercial co-ventures remain with the Division of Consumer Protection. Nonprofits soliciting in Utah still need their corporate registration (and a registered agent if formed out of state), and fundraising into other states can trigger those states' registration requirements. Professional fundraisers working Utah donors should confirm whether separate contractor or solicitor filings apply.

With no charitable solicitation registration, there is nothing to renew in Utah. Keep the organization's corporate annual report and registered agent current, and track registrations in every other state where the nonprofit solicits.

To obtain a money transmitter license in Utah, applicants generally need to submit a completed application to the Utah DFI, provide a surety bond of $25,000-$500,000, demonstrate minimum net worth of $100,000, provide audited financial statements, implement a comprehensive BSA/AML filings program, and pass background checks for all control persons. Many states now accept applications through NMLS. The application process typically takes 3-12 months depending on the state and complexity of the applicant's business model.

Money transmitter licenses in Utah generally require annual renewal. Renewal typically requires submission of audited financial statements, updated surety bond, quarterly or annual transaction reports, BSA/AML filing documentation, and payment of renewal fees. Some states require call report filings on a quarterly basis throughout the year.

Apply for or renew your motor vehicle dealer license with the Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division and file a $75,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

The bond runs with the motor vehicle dealer license term and renews on the same cycle (about every 1 year).

Apply for or renew your notary public commission with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Utah and file a $5,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

The bond runs with the notary public commission term and renews on the same cycle (about every 4 years).

Apply for or renew your credit services organization registration with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection and file a $100,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

The bond runs with the credit services organization registration term and renews on the same cycle (about every 1 year).

Mortgage companies generally apply through the NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System) for Utah mortgage licensing. Requirements include a completed MU1 form, surety bond, audited financial statements, business plan, background checks (FBI criminal and credit) for all control persons, and net worth requirements. Individual MLOs are generally required to complete pre-licensing education (20 hours minimum including 3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of non-traditional lending, plus Utah-specific hours), pass the SAFE MLO test, and submit an MU4 form through NMLS.

Mortgage licenses in Utah are renewed annually through NMLS. Company renewals require updated financial statements, bond confirmation, and payment of renewal fees. MLOs are generally required to complete continuing education (8 hours minimum annually, including Utah-specific requirements) and pay renewal fees through NMLS. The renewal period typically runs November 1 through December 31.

The bond is posted with the city or county that approves the plat, not a state agency. The local government (the obligee) sizes the security from the project engineer's estimate of the improvements still to be built (streets, curbs, sidewalks, storm drains, water and sewer), and the developer files the executed bond with the development or subdivision improvement agreement. Many Utah jurisdictions reduce the required amount as phases are inspected and accepted.

The bond stays in force until the local government inspects and accepts the improvements and releases the security; it is not renewed on a fixed license cycle.