Utah Now Uses the H100 HVAC Contractor Classification

Beginning April 20, 2026, Utah DOPL requires new HVAC contractor applications to meet the H100 requirements.

Older Utah material may still refer to the S350 HVAC Contractor classification. That was the previous classification. Candidates applying now should use the current H100 requirements published by DOPL.

What Work Can an H100 HVAC Contractor Perform?

The H100 classification covers heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and related HVAC work within the scope established by Utah law and administrative rule.

The scope includes work such as:

• Fabricating and installing warm-air heating systems
• Installing air-conditioning systems
• Installing ventilation systems
• Installing refrigeration equipment
• Working on built-in refrigeration systems
• Working on refrigerated rooms and insulated refrigerated spaces
• Connecting condensate drains to preexisting drainage receptacles
• Performing qualifying gas work when certification requirements are met

The H100 license does not automatically turn the contractor into a plumber or electrician. Electrical and plumbing trade work remain separately regulated.

Gas Work Has a Special Rule

H100 HVAC scope can include gas-line work, but Utah places an additional qualification on that activity.

The H100 qualifier must be a Certified Natural Gas Technician, and the technician actually performing regulated gas work must also meet the applicable certification requirement.

Treat this as a separate licensing requirement rather than something the HVAC written exam replaces.

Two HVAC-Specific Years of Experience Are Required

Current H100 applicants need qualifying HVAC-specific experience.

The current contractor application identifies 4,000 hours within the previous five years, which is approximately two full years of qualifying HVAC employment.

DOPL currently accepts documentation such as:

• W-2 forms
• K-1 forms when applicable
• Tax returns documenting qualifying HVAC work
• Supporting payroll-agency or PEO records when necessary

The experience needs to be HVAC-specific. General construction experience alone is not a substitute for the current H100 experience requirement.

Some Plumbing License Holders Have Another Qualification Route

The current Utah contractor application also provides a route involving certain active Utah plumbing licenses.

Applicants should review the current H100 section of the DOPL application if the qualifier holds an active Utah Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber, Residential Journeyman Plumber, or Residential Master Plumber license.

The application form determines which documentation must be submitted, so use the current version rather than relying on an old checklist copied from a previous licensing cycle.

The H100 Qualifier Must Pass Two Exams

Prov administers both examinations for Utah DOPL. Current DOPL guidance says candidates do not need preapproval from the Division before sitting for these examinations.

Utah HVAC Written Exam Format

Current HVAC Written Exam Blueprint

Rules and Law is the largest single category with 25 questions. General Knowledge and Systems and Sizing add another 33 questions.

That means a candidate who studies only equipment troubleshooting while ignoring Utah licensing law is leaving a very large pile of points sitting on the table.

General Knowledge Is Worth 17 Questions

General Knowledge connects mechanical-code requirements with practical HVAC understanding.

Current topics include:

• Applying the International Mechanical Code
• Understanding electrical requirements affecting HVAC equipment
• Factors affecting heat gain and heat loss
• Heat-pump installation
• Heat-pump service procedures

Study the system as a whole. Code rules make more sense when you can picture the equipment, airflow, piping, controls, and building conditions they are regulating.

Systems and Sizing Is Worth 16 Questions

Correct HVAC sizing affects comfort, efficiency, humidity, equipment life, and operating cost.

Review subjects such as:

• Hot-water systems
• Chilled-water systems
• Fume and exhaust systems
• Indoor air quality equipment
• Energy-saving accessories
• Humidification
• Compressor-system arrangements
• Heating and cooling load calculations
• Duct sizing
• Equipment selection

This is where Manual J, Manual D, Manual S, and the duct slide rule become especially important.

Know Manual J, Manual D, and Manual S

HVAC sizing questions are easier when you know which tool solves which problem.

Do not try to turn one book into all four jobs. The exam rewards knowing which reference contains the type of information you need.

Plan Reading Is Worth Eight Questions

HVAC contractors work from drawings, specifications, schedules, and jobsite conditions, so plan reading receives its own section.

Practice:

• Reading architectural plans
• Finding HVAC information on drawings
• Recognizing equipment locations
• Reading duct and piping layouts
• Connecting electrical requirements to HVAC equipment
• Identifying heating information from plans and jobsite data

Drawings become much easier when you stop seeing lines and start seeing the system those lines are trying to build.

Refrigeration and Piping Add 14 Questions

Refrigeration Systems and Piping each contribute seven questions.

Review:

• Refrigerants and their applications
• Refrigeration-cycle components
• Compressor systems
• Refrigerant piping supports
• Vent systems
• Condensate piping
• Friction-loss charts
• Flared and compression fittings
• Ferrous pipe preparation
• Brazing and purging
• Pipe-run installation considerations

Electrical Knowledge Is Still Part of HVAC

H100 is not an electrical contractor license, but HVAC technicians still need enough electrical knowledge to work safely with HVAC equipment.

The current examination contains six electrical questions.

Study:

• Power circuits
• Load circuits
• Control circuits
• Electrical HVAC components
• Basic electrical troubleshooting
• Energy-conservation requirements
• NEC provisions that apply to HVAC equipment installations

Rules and Law Is the Largest Technical Exam Section

Twenty-five of the 100 questions are assigned to Rules and Law.

Candidates should be comfortable navigating Utah licensing statutes and administrative rules rather than treating them as a few pages to glance at the night before the exam.

Important Utah material includes:

• Division of Professional Licensing Act
• DOPL General Rules
• Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act
• Utah construction-trades administrative rules
• Contractor qualifier requirements
• Classification scope
• Licensing responsibilities

Current HVAC Exam References

The Prov bulletin currently identifies a broad technical library for the HVAC written examination.

• 2024 International Mechanical Code
• Utah Amendments to the International Mechanical Code
• 2024 International Fuel Gas Code
• Utah Amendments to the International Fuel Gas Code
• 2024 International Residential Code
• Manual J, Residential Load Calculation, 8th Edition
• Manual D, Residential Duct Systems, 3rd Edition
• ACCA Duct Slide Rule
• Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd Edition
• Manual S, Residential Equipment Selection, 2nd Edition
• Utah licensing statutes and administrative rules

Review the Utah HVAC Written Exam Book Package for a bundled technical study library.

The Business and Law Exam Is Separate

H100 qualifiers also need to satisfy the Utah Contractor Business and Law examination requirement.

The current published exam outline identifies 60 questions, two hours, a 70 percent passing score, and an open-book format.

Subjects include:

• Business organization
• Contractor licensing
• Estimating and bidding
• Contract management
• Project management
• Labor laws
• Lien laws
• Financial management
• Risk management
• Tax laws
• Safety

HVAC expertise and contractor-business expertise are different study tracks. Prepare for both.

Review the Utah Business and Law Online Exam Prep Course for structured preparation.

Prelicensure Education Is Required Too

The current Utah contractor application places H100 among the general or primary classifications.

The standard education path currently requires a 25-hour approved prelicensure course plus a 5-hour Business and Law course, unless the qualifier satisfies an accepted alternative identified by DOPL.

General Liability Insurance Requirements Changed in 2026

Utah also updated contractor insurance minimums during the H100 transition.

If the company has employees, workers' compensation, Utah withholding, and unemployment registrations can also apply. Contractors without employees generally need the applicable workers' compensation waiver.

The Business Must Be Set Up Properly

The contractor license belongs to a business entity supported by a qualifying individual.

Before submitting the application, organize:

• Utah business registration when required
• Federal EIN
• Qualifier information
• Ownership and officer information
• Liability insurance
• Workers' compensation or waiver documentation
• Tax registrations when employees are used
• Unemployment registration when applicable
• Prelicensure course certificates
• Exam results
• HVAC experience documentation
• Natural-gas technician certification

Current H100 Application and Renewal Fees

Prov exam fees, training, RMGA certification, reference books, insurance, business registration, and other costs are separate.

Contractor Licenses Renew in Odd-Numbered Years

Utah contractor licenses currently expire on November 30 of odd-numbered years.

Contractors need six hours of approved continuing education per licensing period. Three hours must be core education, while the remaining three may be core or professional education.

DOPL also requires the business entity and required insurance to remain current at renewal.

Prov Testing Rules Matter

DOPL currently allows the H100 written examination through Prov testing centers or through the approved online testing system identified by DOPL.

Current DOPL exam guidance allows three attempts spaced 30 days apart. Further attempts require a longer waiting period.

Prov allows approved reference books for the HVAC written exam. The current bulletin also permits highlighting and permanent tabs, subject to the testing provider's rules.

How to Study for the Utah H100 HVAC Exam

1. Start with Rules and Law. It represents 25 percent of the HVAC written exam.
2. Study General Knowledge next. Review the mechanical code, electrical concepts, heat gain and loss, and heat pumps.
3. Work Manual J, D, and S problems. Learn loads, ducts, airflow, and equipment selection.
4. Study refrigeration and piping together. Connect refrigerants, equipment, piping methods, brazing, and supports.
5. Practice plan reading. Use real drawings whenever possible.
6. Review HVAC electrical controls. Understand power, load, and control circuits.
7. Practice reference navigation. Know which book answers which type of question.
8. Use timed practice sessions. Train yourself to move quickly when a lookup starts taking too long.

Prepare for the Current H100 License, Not the Old S350 Process

The most important preparation step in 2026 is making sure your information matches the current Utah H100 rules.

Older S350 information can still appear in books, websites, contractor records, and older product descriptions. For a new application now, use DOPL's current H100 requirements as the final licensing authority.

Build two separate exam plans. For the technical HVAC exam, study the mechanical code, fuel gas, residential code, Manual J, Manual D, Manual S, refrigeration, piping, electrical controls, plans, calculations, and Utah Rules and Law.

For Business and Law, study licensing, estimating, contracts, projects, employees, liens, finance, insurance, taxes, and safety.

At the same time, organize the application. Make sure the qualifier has the required HVAC experience, natural-gas certification, prelicensure education, exam results, and supporting employment records. Set up the business entity, EIN, liability insurance, workers' compensation status, and other registrations before filing.

Start with the Utah HVAC Contractor collection at 1ExamPrep to review Utah HVAC preparation resources.

For the technical reference library, review the Utah HVAC Written Exam Book Package.

For the second required examination, review the Utah Business and Law Online Exam Prep Course and the Utah Business and Law Book Package.

If you need help organizing the Utah contractor application, review 1ExamPrep application services.

For books, exams, licensing, training, insurance, and other contractor expenses, you can also review 1ExamPrep financing options.