Electrical Contractor License Idaho
Idaho’s Electrical Contractor license is issued by DOPL’s Idaho Electrical Board. Qualify with an Idaho master or an Idaho journeyman plus 2,000 hours, pass the PSI contractor exam, show $300,000 liability insurance and workers’ comp, and pay the set fees. Renewals are transitioning to a 2‑year cycle beginning October 30, 2026.
To get a electrical contractor license in Idaho, apply to the Idaho Electrical Board, meet the supervising‑electrician requirement (journeyman with 2,000 hours or an Idaho master), pass the PSI contractor exam, then file $300,000 liability insurance and workers’ comp, and pay the $125 license fee. Idaho Electrical Board • Application • PSI exam • Fee table
Requirements last verified: 2026-10-29
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) – Idaho Electrical Board. Source |
| Who can qualify | Individual applicant: hold an active Idaho master OR document 2,000 hours worked while holding an Idaho journeyman license. Entity applicant: employ a supervising electrician (Idaho master OR journeyman with 2,000 hours). Application (p.1–2) |
| Exam | PSI Electrical Contractor/Limited Electrical Contractor exam: 100 questions, 70% to pass, 240 minutes, open‑book; exam fee $75. Contractor’s Business & Law Reference Manual must be printed and in a 3‑ring binder. PSI Candidate Bulletin Program & Exams |
| Insurance / bond | General liability insurance: $300,000 minimum; workers’ compensation unless exempt. No surety bond is listed for this license. Application (p.1) |
| Fees | Application processing fee $15; Initial contractor license fee $125; Renewal fee $100 (1‑year term; see biennial transition below). DOPL fee table |
| Renewal cycle | Historically annual for contractors; DOPL is transitioning to 2‑year licenses beginning October 30, 2026, with renewal fees adjusted proportionally (double for two years). New applicants receive at least a 2‑year term. Board page • Electrical Board News/FAQs |
| Continuing education | No CE for the contractor license itself. CE applies to journeyman/master individuals (24 hours per 3‑year cycle under current temporary rules). Temporary Electrical Rules (CE) |
| Minimum age | Not specified for contractor licensure in DOPL materials; exam admission requires valid government photo ID. PSI Candidate Bulletin |
How to get a electrical contractor license in Idaho
- Confirm your qualifier path. As an individual, you must be an Idaho master electrician or an Idaho journeyman with 2,000 hours of journeyman experience. For entities, designate a full‑time supervising electrician who meets one of those two paths. DOPL application
- Submit the DOPL application and $15 processing fee. File the Electrical Contractor Application (individual or business entity). If using a journeyman as the supervisor, include the Work Verification Form showing 2,000 hours. Form & checklist
- Schedule and pass the PSI contractor exam. After DOPL approves your application for testing, pay PSI the $75 exam fee and pass the 100‑question, 70%‑minimum, 240‑minute open‑book exam. Bring the printed Contractor’s Business & Law Reference Manual. Exam details
- Provide insurance documentation. Upload or email proof of at least $300,000 general liability coverage and workers’ compensation (unless exempt). Match the insured name to the license (individual or business). Requirements
- Pay the $125 license fee. Once DOPL records your exam pass and insurance, pay the initial license fee to activate your Electrical Contractor license. Fee table
- Maintain and renew. Keep a qualified supervising electrician on staff, maintain required insurance, and renew per your assigned cycle. DOPL is moving contractor licenses to a 2‑year term starting October 30, 2026; renewal fees will adjust accordingly. Board notice • Transition FAQ
Idaho electrical contractor license: costs and timing
Your first‑year outlay typically includes the $15 DOPL processing fee, the $75 PSI exam fee, and the $125 initial license fee, plus the premium for $300,000 liability insurance. For a deeper cost breakdown and budgeting tips, see our analysis in Idaho Electrical Contractor License. Official fees are listed on the DOPL Electrical Board page. Source
Exam format and references for the Idaho contractor test
The PSI Electrical Contractor exam is computer‑based, open‑book, 100 questions, 70% passing, 240 minutes, and focuses on Idaho’s Contractor’s Business & Law Reference Manual. PSI requires you to bring the printed manual in a 3‑ring binder; pre‑exam highlighting and indexing are allowed. PSI Candidate Bulletin • DOPL exam page
Supervisor (qualifier) and staffing rules you must follow
Every electrical contractor must have a supervising electrician who is either an Idaho master or an Idaho journeyman with 2,000 verified journeyman hours. The supervisor must be a full‑time supervisory employee and cannot represent another applicant; if that relationship ends, permits stop until a new designee passes the contractor exam. DOPL application • Temporary Rules
Insurance and renewal rules
Before licensure, provide proof of $300,000 liability insurance and workers’ compensation if required. Contractor renewals do not have a continuing‑education requirement; CE applies to individual journeyman and master licensees. DOPL is transitioning from annual to biennial renewals beginning October 30, 2026, with renewal fees adjusted to the 2‑year term. Insurance requirement • Fees • Renewal transition • CE rule
Considering HVAC or multi‑trade work?
If your business also designs or installs HVAC systems, you’ll need the separate HVAC credentials DOPL regulates. Start with our practical Idaho HVAC Contractor License Guide to map requirements alongside your electrical contracting timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a master to get an Idaho electrical contractor license?
No. An individual applicant can qualify as a journeyman with 2,000 hours of journeyman experience or as an Idaho master. Entity applicants may designate a supervising electrician who meets either path. The supervisor must be a full‑time supervisory employee. DOPL application
What insurance is required for an Idaho electrical contractor license?
Provide proof of at least $300,000 general liability insurance and workers’ compensation (unless exempt). Insurance must match the license name (individual or business). No separate surety bond is listed by the Electrical Board. Insurance requirement
How much are the fees to become licensed?
Expect a $15 DOPL processing fee, a $75 PSI exam fee, and a $125 initial license fee. The contractor renewal fee has been $100 per 1‑year term; DOPL is shifting licenses to a 2‑year cycle beginning October 30, 2026, with renewal fees adjusted accordingly. DOPL fee table and transition notice • PSI fees
Is continuing education required to renew an Idaho electrical contractor license?
No CE is required for the contractor business license itself. However, individual journeyman and master licenses require CE under the Electrical Board’s rules (currently 24 hours per three‑year cycle under temporary rules). CE rule
What happens if my supervising electrician leaves the company?
You must notify DOPL and may not purchase permits or perform installations until a new qualified designee passes the contractor exam on your behalf. Maintaining a full‑time supervising electrician is a continuous licensure condition. Temporary Rules • Application instructions
Ready to move from research to action? License Navigator can keep you on track with forms, dates, and costs so you get licensed on the first attempt and stay compliant year‑round.
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Licensing Navigator researches business licensing requirements and organizes them into practical, state-by-state guidance. Our pages are research aids, not legal advice.