Idaho uses a split model. Two different agencies issue construction-related credentials: 1. The Division of Building Safety (DBS) issues individual trade licenses for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians, plus firm-level Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC Contractor licenses. Scope and experience are defined in Idaho Code Title 54 Chapters 10 (Electrical), 26 (Plumbing), and 50 (HVAC), and the corresponding IDAPA rule chapters. Source: Idaho DBS (https://dbs.idaho.gov/). 2. The Idaho Contractors Board, within the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), administers the Idaho Contractor Registration program under Idaho Code Title 54 Chapter 52. Contractor Registration is a business registration that verifies general liability and workers' compensation coverage for any construction contractor doing business in Idaho. It is not a trade license. Source: Idaho DOPL (https://dopl.idaho.gov/). In addition, the Idaho Public Works Contractors License Board issues a Public Works Contractors License for contracts on state, county, municipal, or school-district public-works projects that exceed the statutory threshold, under Idaho Code Title 54 Chapter 19. This is a separate credential above and beyond Contractor Registration. State-licensed trades and classes. - Electrician (DBS Electrical Bureau). Apprentice, Journeyman, Master; specialty classes (HVAC Electrician, Outdoor Lighting, Solar Thermal, Limited Energy). Electrical Contractor license at the firm level. - Plumber (DBS Plumbing Bureau). Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, Contractor. - HVAC (DBS HVAC Bureau). Apprentice, Journeyman, Contractor; specialty classes (Limited, Residential Gas, Mechanical). Experience (typical). Journeyman credentials in each trade require 8,000 hours (approximately four years) of registered-apprentice experience under a Master/Journeyman plus the trade exam. Master and Contractor credentials require additional experience at the Journeyman level. Qualifying Party. Firm-level Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC Contractor licenses must designate a qualifying party who holds the appropriate Master or Journeyman credential. Source: Idaho Code 54-1006 (Electrical), 54-2608 (Plumbing), 54-5003 (HVAC). Bonding. No statewide trade-license bond applies at DBS. Idaho Public Works Contractor licensing and individual public-works projects carry their own bond requirements under Idaho Code 54-1926. Renewal and CE. DBS trade licenses renew annually. Continuing-education requirements vary by bureau: Electrical is 16 hours every three years (IDAPA 07.01.01.012); Plumbing and HVAC have bureau-specific CE rules (IDAPA 07.02.05 and 07.06). Idaho Contractor Registration renews based on DOPL schedule. Unlicensed contracting. Performing electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work requiring a DBS license, without the appropriate credential, is a violation under Idaho Code Titles 54-10, 54-26, or 54-50 and can result in cease-and-desist orders, civil penalties, and referral for criminal charges. Operating as a contractor without Idaho Contractor Registration is separately actionable under Idaho Code 54-5203.
ID · Contractor licensing
Contractor licensing in Idaho
State contractor license requirements, bond, and insurance minimums.
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