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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

Reciprocal Agreements

NASCLA Exams
HVAC Exams
State Business & Law Exam
State Plumbing Exams
State Specialty Contracting Exams
State Electrical Exams
National Exams
NASCLA Exams HVAC Exams State Business & Law Exam State Plumbing Exams State Specialty Contracting Exams State Electrical Exams National Exams

Construction Work Regulated?

Residential and commercial construction, as well as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work, are regulated at the state level.

For public works projects valued at $50,000 or more, all contractors and subcontractors must hold a valid state Public Works License. Contractor prequalification is completed as part of the licensing process.

Construction managers are also required to be licensed through the Public Works Licensing Bureau.

Who Regulates Construction?

Home and commercial construction contractor applications for registration may be obtained from:

Idaho Contractors Board
Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses
11341 W. Chinden BLVD Building #4
Boise, ID 83714
(208) 334-3233 Fax (208) 334-3945
https://www.ibol.idaho.gov

Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, & Public Works Contractor licensing applications and information may be obtained from:

Idaho Division of Building Safety
11341 W Chinden BLVD, BLDG #4
Boise, ID 83714
(208) 334-3950 Fax (877) 810-2840
http://dopl.idaho.gov

Requirements?

Home and Commercial Construction Contractor Registration: All general contractors and subcontractors performing work in Idaho must be registered with the state.

To register, applicants must submit a completed registration application along with proof of:

General liability insurance with a minimum coverage limit of $300,000, including completed operations and general aggregate coverage; and
Current workers’ compensation insurance coverage, or an approved exemption statement if coverage is not required.

Business registrations are valid for one year from the date of issuance. Individual registrations expire annually on the registrant’s birthday.

Contractor Registration fees are as follows:

Registration Type / Application Fee / Renewal Fee
RCE-Registered Entity / $50 / $50
RCT-Registered Individual / $50 / $50

Expires a year from the date issued
Expires a year from issued date on the registrant's birthday

Electricians: Idaho requires examinations for electrical contractors, specialty (limited) electrical contractors, master electricians, journeyman electricians, and specialty (limited) electricians. Apprentices must be registered and work under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyman electrician.

To qualify for the Journeyman Electrician examination, applicants must document either:

Four (4) years of electrical work experience totaling at least 8,000 hours, along with four (4) years of approved related vocational education; or
Eight (8) years of electrical work experience totaling at least 16,000 hours.

Applicants from non-reciprocal states must meet Idaho's vocational education requirements or provide verification of eight (8) years (16,000 hours) of qualifying work experience.

A Limited Installer Electrician license is required for individuals performing electrical work within designated specialty categories. Companies performing specialty electrical work must hold a Limited Electrical Contractor license. Individuals performing the work must be licensed as Limited Installers or registered as Limited Trainees working under the supervision of a licensed Limited Installer.

Unlimited Electrical Contractors are not required to obtain limited specialty licenses.
Electrical fees are as follows:

License Type / Application Fee / Examination Fee / Score required to pass / License Fee / Renewal Fee

Apprentice / N/A / N/A / N/A / $15/ $15
Journeyman / $15 / $75 / 70% / $55 / $45
Master / $15 / $75 / 75% / $65 / $45
Contractor / $15 / $75 / 75% / $125 / $100
Limited Trainee / N/A / N/A / N/A / $30 / $25
Limited Installer / $15 / $75 / 70% / $55 / $45
Limited Contractor / $15 / $75 / 70% / $125 / $100

Plumbers:
Plumbers: Plumbing apprentices must be registered with the state, employed by a licensed Plumbing Contractor, and work under the supervision of a licensed Journeyman Plumber.

Idaho requires examinations for Journeyman Plumbers, Specialty Journeyman Plumbers, Plumbing Contractors, and Specialty Plumbing Contractors. The Journeyman Plumber examination includes both written and practical components.

To qualify for the Journeyman Plumber examination, applicants must document either:

Four (4) years of plumbing experience totaling at least 8,000 hours, along with four (4) years of approved related vocational education; or
Eight (8) years of plumbing experience totaling at least 16,000 hours.

Applicants from non-reciprocal states must meet Idaho's vocational education requirements or provide verification of eight (8) years (16,000 hours) of qualifying plumbing experience.

To obtain a Plumbing Contractor license, applicants must demonstrate at least two and one-half (2½) years of lawful experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber. Applicants must also pass the Idaho Plumbing Contractor examination and provide a $2,000 surety bond.

Plumbing fees are as follows for a 3 year certificate:

License Type / Application Fee / Examination Fee / Score Required to Pass / License Fee / Renewal Fee

Apprentice / N/A / N/A /N/A / $50 / $50
Specialty Apprentice / N/A / N/A / N/A / $30 / $30
Journeyman / $22.50 / $75 / 75% / $29.40 / $21.60
Specailty Journeyman / $22.50 / $75 / 75% / $29.40 / $21.60
Contractor / $22.50 / $75 / 75% / $147 / $108
Specialty Contractor / $22.50 / $75 / 75% / $147 / $108

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Contractors: HVAC apprentices must be registered with the state, employed by a licensed HVAC Contractor, and work under the supervision of a licensed Journeyman HVAC technician.

Idaho requires examinations for HVAC Journeymen, Specialty Journeymen, HVAC Contractors, and Specialty HVAC Contractors. Apprentices must maintain active registration and complete any required apprenticeship training programs.

To qualify for the Journeyman HVAC examination, applicants must document either:

Four (4) years of HVAC experience totaling at least 8,000 hours, along with four (4) years of approved related vocational education; or
Eight (8) years of HVAC experience totaling at least 16,000 hours.

Out-of-state applicants must satisfy Idaho's vocational education requirements or provide verification of eight (8) years (16,000 hours) of qualifying experience.

To obtain an HVAC Contractor license, applicants must demonstrate at least twenty-four (24) months of lawful experience as a licensed HVAC Journeyman. Applicants must also pass the Idaho HVAC Contractor examination and provide a $2,000 surety bond.

HVAC fees are as follows per year:

License Type / Application Fee / Examination Fee / Score Required to Pass / License Fee / Renewal Fee

Apprentice / $10 / N/A / N/A / $10 / $10
Specialty Apprentice / $20 / N/A / N/A / $20 / $20
Journeyman / $35 / $75 / 70% / $150 / $75
Specialty Journeyman / $35 / $75 / 70% / $150 / $75
Contractor / $35 / $75 / 70% / $225 / $150
Specialty Contractor / $35 / $75 / 70% / $225 / $150

Public Works Contractors: Contractors may hold only one public works license classification at a time. Applicants must demonstrate qualifying experience in the specific license class for which they are applying.

Financial statement requirements vary by license classification:

A, AA, AAA, and Unlimited Licenses: Audited or reviewed financial statements are required.
B License: A compiled financial statement is required.
C and D Licenses: An in-house financial statement may be submitted.

Applicants must pass the required licensing examination with a minimum score of 70%. The examination fee is $75.
Class / Contract Limits (per bid) / Net Worth Requirements / Working Capital

Licenses are valid for 1 year expiring on the last day of the month the license was issued.

Construction Managers: All construction managers must be licensed by the Public Works Contractors Licensing Board. The Board may issue a temporary one-year license to a construction manager who holds a license in another state with substantially similar licensing requirements.

To qualify for licensure, applicants must meet one of the following experience and education requirements:

a. Hold a bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, or construction management from an accredited college or university and have at least four (4) years of experience managing construction projects; or

b. Have a minimum of five (5) years of experience managing construction projects.

In addition, all applicants must successfully pass the certification examination administered by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).

Construction Manager fees are as follows:

Requirements / Fee
Initial Exam / $200
Initial License / $200
License Renewal / $200

Reciprocal Agreements

Idaho does not maintain reciprocal agreements with any other states for contractor registration.

However, Idaho does recognize reciprocity for certain trade licenses. Journeyman Electrician licenses may be reciprocated with the following states: Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Reciprocal agreements for Journeyman Plumber licenses are also available for individuals licensed in Montana, Oregon, and Washington.