Want to Get Licensed with the #1 School in Collegiate Licensing? Here's How in 7 Steps
In 2025 it's estimated that the University of Texas generated the most merchandise licensing revenue of all colleges and universities in the nation. The University of Texas' dominance of collegiate licensing is expected to continue in 2026. Here's a step by step guide on how to get licensed with the University of Texas, the #1 school in collegiate licensing.
Before continuing, following the below steps will not guarantee you a license with the University of Texas, but following the steps should put you in good position to be considered. Ultimately, it's the decision of the University of Texas Trademark Licensing Program as to whether or not you're granted a license.
Step One: Analyze the market and find an opportunity
Spend some time doing research and analysis on which University of Texas products already being offered in the market. One of the most important steps you take in improving your chances of securing a license is to offer a unique product, a product that is not already being offered. Producing a product that already exists is almost a sure way to get rejected by the school.
Step Two: Verify that your item is allowed to be licensed
The University of Texas allows for a wide-range of products to be produced, however, some categories are off-limits. Items not allowed to be produced are listed here:
Alcoholic beverages (liquors and wines)
Inherently dangerous items (such as firearms, explosives, and fuels)
Obscene or disparaging products — including, but not limited to, nude photographs, caricature poster art or designs that would tend to lower the reputation or degrade the good will of the university as represented by the trademarks.
Sexually suggestive products — including, but not limited to, inappropriate slogans imprinted on clothing and the configuration of certain novelty items.
Staple foods, meats and natural agricultural products — all types.
Business names and or logos — all types.
Services — except in accordance with the special requirements of the Office of General Counsel applicable to services.
Step Three: Verify demand
Once you feel you have a unique product idea, the next step is to contact the University of Texas Trademark Licensing program and verify that they would be interested in licensing your product. You can find the contact information for the University of Texas Trademark Licensing Program at this link: https://trademarks.utexas.edu/contacts
Once you make initital contact with the program, you will most likely send over a formal proposal that would include the following information:
High-quality renderings or photos of your finished product with their marks applied.
How you plan to produce or manufacture the product (provide detail).
How you plan to market or promote the product.
For sales, do you plan to wholesale the product to retailers or sell the item direct from a website.
Target retail price and suggested retail partners
Why it’s different from what already is being offered in the market.
Projected first-year units/sales.
Step Four: Confirm what type of agreement is right for you
The University of Texas Trademark Licensing Program offers a Retail License and a Crafter’s License, at this step, you should determine and verify with the University of Texas which license agreement is appropriate for your purposes.
The Retail License is for companies that desire to produce licesed products for resale to the general public. The Crafter’s License, also known as Community Connect, is for individuals that seek to produce handcrafted products for resale in small volume. Sales under the University of Texas Crafter’s License are limited to no more than 500 units per year and total sales dollars cannnot exceed $2,500. And no sales are permitted on a wholesale basis and products cannot be sold to a third-party retailer.
Step Five: Ensure that you can meet the Labor Code Standards
The University of Texas Trademark Licensing Program adheres to Labor Code Standards. The Labor Code Standards seeks to ensure that products bearing the trademarks of the University of Texas are manufactred by factories that provide their employees safe work environments and are free from abusive labor practices. If you are seeking to secure a Retail License you will need to verify that the factory or factories you partner with can meet the Labor Code Standards.
Step Six: Submit license application
Once you have the green light from the school, request the official application from the correct licensing agency.
Typical requirements of the license application:
$250 non-refundable application fee.
Full business plan + 3-year sales projections
Product samples (physical samples are required by most agents)
Certificate of Insurance ($1–2 million general liability; $5 million+ and product liability if food, beverage, or health & beauty products)
Labor Code Standard audit
Artwork style guide acknowledgment
The application process for the Crafter’s License, (Community Connect), involves lighter paperwork and lower application fees.
Step Seven: Approval Timeline
Agency review: Typically 2–4 weeks
University review: Typically 4–12 weeks
Total: 2–4 months on average
Expert Tips
Never cold-submit an application without school pre-approval.
When thinking of what product to produce, do a detailed analysis of what is already being offered in the market and be sure your product is different in some way, this will increase your chances of being approved by the school.
Keep in mind that royalty fees will be in the area of 15–18% of your wholesale cost.
Plan for 6–9 months from first contact with the school to first shipment.