Quick Reference Table
Label | Value |
|---|---|
License Type | Apprentice, Provisional Journeyman, Journeyman, Master, Contractor, Limited Contractor, Limited Installer, Limited Trainee |
Regulating Agency | Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Idaho Electrical Board |
Experience | Varies: e.g. Journeyman requires 8,000 hours (apprenticeship) or 16,000 hours supervised work; Contractor requires Master Electrician or journeyman with 2,000 hours as journeyman |
Exam | Required for Journeyman, Master, Contractor; PSI/NASCLA exam model; open-book, in-person |
Fees | Application: $15, Journeyman License: $55, Contractor: $125, Renewal varies by class (as of July 2024 – verify at DOPL Electrical page) |
Renewal | Journeyman/Master: Every 3 years; Contractor/Limited Contractor: Annual; see full section for all |
CE Requirements | Journeyman, Master: 24 hours every 3 years (8 hrs NFPA 70E, 16 hrs code/industry updates) |
Official Links |
Who Needs a License in Idaho?
Anyone performing or contracting electrical work valued over $2,000 in Idaho needs to meet electrical license requirements in Idaho. This covers both individuals and businesses. In addition, only state-licensed electrical contractors, journeymen, or limited professionals can offer or perform electrical installations or repairs statewide.
Employees who work directly for a licensed contractor do not need a separate electrical license if they are not bidding or contracting independently. However, apprentices must register before beginning any work and carry their registration on the job. Owner-builders who work on their own property (as long as they don't sell it within 12 months) are often exempt under certain conditions, but only from contractor registration, not licensure if electrical work is done for others or for hire.
There is no distinction between residential and commercial thresholds in Idaho's electrical licensing law. The $2,000 project threshold applies in all cases. If you’re a contractor or individual interested in electrical work, always check directly with the DOPL for current criteria to avoid unlicensed work penalties. For more, see the Idaho Electrical Board licensing page.
Electrical License Types
There are multiple classes under the electrical license requirements in Idaho. Each license type gives you a unique scope of allowable work and requires different experience or training. Below are the main categories:
Apprentice (registration): Required for all new entrants before performing any electrical work. Apprentices must be registered and supervised at all times by a licensed journeyman or master electrician. Annual registration and renewal are mandatory.
Provisional Journeyman: Temporary 6-month status for those with at least 16,000 hours verified electrical work experience (usually from outside Idaho) who are approved to take the Idaho journeyman’s exam.
Journeyman Electrician: Eligible after completing either 4-year approved apprenticeship (8,000 hours school + 8,000 hours supervised work) or 16,000 hours verified work experience. Journeymen can work independently under a contractor.
Master Electrician: Must hold a journeyman license for at least 4 years and pass a master electrician’s exam. Masters can supervise journeymen and oversee larger contracts. It is also a qualifying step for the contractor license.
Electrical Contractor: Required for anyone operating a business or bidding on jobs as an electrical firm. Must employ either a Master Electrician or, in some cases, a Journeyman with at least 2,000 hours as a journeyman.
Limited Contractor: Similar to contractor, but restricted to certain limited scopes (such as restricted voltage categories).
Limited Installer and Limited Trainee: Specialty fields that have more narrow scopes (e.g., low-voltage, specific categories) and training/exam standards set by DOPL. Limited trainees do not need continuing education for renewal.
Please review the official Rules of the Idaho Electrical Board for further detail on specialty and limited categories.
How to Get Licensed in Idaho
To meet electrical license requirements in Idaho, you must complete several clear steps for the class you seek. The process covers training, exam, and application submission through the DOPL portal.
Complete Work and Education Requirements: Finish either an approved electrical apprenticeship (4 years + 8,000 hours of schooling and 8,000 hours of supervised work) or accumulate 16,000 hours of supervised electrical installation work with documentation.
Register as an Apprentice if Needed: Before beginning work, trainee electricians must register. Registration is mandatory throughout the supervised training phase.
Submit Exam Eligibility Application: Apply to DOPL for approval to schedule your exam. For Journeyman, Master or Contractor, send supporting documentation such as work verification forms or proof of apprenticeship completion.
Schedule and Take the Exam: Once DOPL approves your application, you will be able to schedule your relevant exam directly through PSI’s portal.
Pass The Required Exam: Take and pass the open-book exam administered via PSI for your license level. Pay the exam fee as required upon scheduling.
Submit License Application and Pay Fees: After passing, submit the full application for your desired license (Journeyman, Master, Contractor, etc.) via DOPL’s online licensing portal, attaching all supporting documents and required fees.
Await Board Review and Receive License: DOPL and the Electrical Board will review your materials, then issue your license if everything is correct. Processing times may vary. Confirm with DOPL during your submission process.
All forms and up-to-date instructions are available at the official DOPL licensing page.
Application Requirements
Application packets for electrical license requirements in Idaho must include multiple elements depending on license type. If you miss any requirement, your application will be delayed or denied.
Experience and Age
Journeyman applicants must show verified completion of either a board-approved 4-year apprenticeship (with 8,000 hours classroom and 8,000 hours field), or 16,000 hours of directly supervised electrical work. Provisional journeymen need to supply out-of-state documentation for work experience verification. Master Electrician applications require at least four years holding a journeyman license. Contractor licenses require that the business employ a master electrician (or journeyman with extra 2,000 hours).
Supporting Documents
Every applicant must submit the official DOPL application form for the relevant license, along with supervisor- or employer-signed work verification records as requested. Board approval is needed to sit for an exam. For out-of-state applicants, attach verified license documentation to show you meet equivalency (see reciprocity section below).
Bond and Insurance
No state-level bond or insurance is required for electrical license holders in Idaho, according to DOPL rules. However, many cities, counties, or specific project owners may demand proof of insurance, surety bonds, or other coverages for permit issuance or contract fulfillment. Always check local requirements before bidding or beginning work on a project.
Background Checks and Additional Forms
DOPL does not currently require fingerprinting or criminal background checks for electrical license applicants. However, any false statements or failure to disclose a revoked license can lead to refusal, suspension, or revocation. Always ensure you are in compliance with board rules and report any legal issues on your forms. Some waivers (such as registration waivers) may be available under special circumstances. See the active registration waiver on the licensing page.
Exams
You must pass a license exam for most levels under the electrical license requirements in Idaho. The Idaho Electrical Board contracts PSI (using the NASCLA exam model) to deliver these tests in-person at PSI testing centers.
Journeyman: 100 questions, 270-minute time limit, passing score 70 percent. Covers NEC code, electrical theory, Idaho statutes, and safety.
Master: 100 questions, format similar to journeyman, but passing score required is 75 percent. The content is more advanced, especially on design and supervision duties.
Contractor/Limited Contractor: 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70 percent. Includes business law, code, and Idaho rules.
All exams are open-book. However, references must be bound in a three-ring binder, printed, and may only include highlighting (no handwritten notes or loose papers). Allowed references are the Contractor Business & Law Reference Manual, NEC, NFPA 70E, Manufactured Home Installation Manual, and permitted indexes. PSI strictly enforces exam security and reference policies.
You must apply and be authorized by the Board before scheduling a test date via the PSI Idaho Contractor Exam Portal. For more on format and allowed materials, review the Combined PSI Candidate Bulletin (Feb 2026).
Fees
Application and license fees for electrical license requirements in Idaho are set by the DOPL Board. You should always budget for both licensing and exam costs, and check the DOPL’s latest fee schedule before you file.
Application Fee: $15 (all categories) (as of July 2024 – verify at DOPL Electrical Licensing)
Apprentice: License $15, Renewal $15, Reinstatement $15, 1 year term
Provisional Journeyman: License $55, Renewal $45, Term 6 months
Journeyman: License $55, Renewal $45, Reinstatement $55, 3 year term
Master: License $65, Renewal $45, Reinstatement $55, 3 year term
Contractor/Limited Contractor: License $125, Renewal $100, Reinstatement $125, 1 year term
Limited Installer: License $55, Renewal $45, Reinstatement $55, 3 year term
Limited Trainee: License $30, Renewal $25, Reinstatement $30, 3 year term
Exam Fee: Approx. $75 per attempt (as of July 2024 – verify at DOPL Exam Info Page)
All fees are due upon application or exam registration and are non-refundable once processing begins.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Electrical license requirements in Idaho mandate renewal at regular intervals. The process and requirements depend on license class.
Renewal Cycle
Journeyman and Master Electrician licenses renew every three years. Contractor and Limited Contractor licenses renew annually. Other license classes, like Apprentice or Limited Installer, have term-based renewal as set by their license type. Always renew before your expiration date or risk lapse penalties and reinstatement fees. If you reinstate within 12 months, you retain your original anniversary date. Exceeding 12 months requires you to start a new renewal cycle.
Continuing Education (CE)
Some license types require frequent CE to maintain good standing. Journeyman and Master Electricians must complete 24 hours every three years: eight (8) hours in NFPA 70E safety training plus sixteen (16) hours in code update or industry-related training. These courses must be Board-approved. Apprentices and Limited Trainees are not required to complete CE for renewal. For a list of approved CE providers and detailed rules, consult the Electrical Board's CE rulebook.
Lapse Consequences
If you allow your license to expire and do not reinstate it within 12 months, you must restart the renewal cycle, and could be required to re-take exams or submit new application materials. Non-compliance with CE will also prevent renewal approval. For current requirements and to renew online, use the DOPL license portal.
Reciprocity
Idaho allows electrical license reciprocity for out-of-state electricians, provided your other state license was issued after exam and experience standards matching Idaho's. You must submit license verification showing you were licensed by examination, with matching work experience and employment records. The Board reviews each case for equivalency, but there is no general blanket reciprocity: each applicant is evaluated individually. Third-party sources indicate states such as Colorado, North Dakota, Oregon, and Texas frequently qualify under this process, but always check with DOPL for the official and most recent list of eligible states and requirements.
You will need to complete the standard application packet, attach your verified out-of-state credentials, and possibly submit additional documentation if your work or schooling used codes or rules that differ from Idaho’s. The Board will notify you if anything further is required.
Official Links
License forms and online application portal: see all at Electrical licensing forms
PSI exam scheduling portal: PSI Idaho Contractor Exam
