Idaho HVAC Contractor License Guide
Idaho licenses HVAC contractors through DOPL. Individuals must be Idaho HVAC journeymen (entities may employ one), pass the PSI contractor exam, file a $2,000 bond, and pay a $225 license fee (after a $35 application). Licenses renew every 3 years today, with DOPL transitioning to a 2‑year cycle starting October 30, 2026.
To get a HVAC contractor license in Idaho, apply to the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), pass the PSI HVAC Contractor exam, file a $2,000 bond, and pay required fees. Individuals must already hold an Idaho HVAC journeyman license, or entities must employ one. DOPL application; PSI bulletin.
Requirements last verified: 2026-10-12
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) – HVAC Board. Board page. |
| Eligibility | Individual applicants must hold an active Idaho HVAC Journeyman license; business entities must employ at least one active Idaho HVAC Journeyman. Application (p.1–2). |
| Exam | PSI HVAC Contractor exam: 100 questions, 70% to pass, 240 minutes, open‑book using DOPL Contractor’s Business & Law Reference Manual. PSI Candidate Bulletin (HVAC Contractor). |
| Bond | $2,000 HVAC contractor compliance bond required before license issuance. Idaho Code §54‑5007; Application. |
| Fees | $35 application processing fee; $225 license fee after you pass the exam. Application (p.2). Current board fee table lists Contractor: License $225, Renewal $150, 3‑year term. DOPL HVAC fees. |
| Renewal | Every 3 years; renewal fee $150. DOPL is transitioning licenses to a 2‑year cycle beginning October 30, 2026 (timing varies by DOB). Fees table; DOPL renewal‑cycle update. |
| Continuing education | No CEU requirement for HVAC licenses. DOPL HVAC FAQs. |
| Minimum age | Not specified in statute/rules for contractors; individual path requires holding an Idaho HVAC journeyman license. Statute & rules index. |
How to get a HVAC contractor license in Idaho
- Confirm eligibility. Individuals must already be Idaho‑licensed HVAC journeymen; entities must employ at least one Idaho HVAC journeyman. DOPL application.
- Submit your application and $35 fee to DOPL. Choose Individual or Business Entity on the form. Applications expire one year from the application date if you don’t pass the exam within that window. Source.
- Schedule and pass the PSI HVAC Contractor exam. 100 items, 70% passing, 240 minutes, open‑book with the DOPL Contractor’s Business & Law Reference Manual. PSI bulletin.
- File your $2,000 contractor bond. Provide proof of the bond (effective through your license term). Idaho Code §54‑5007; application.
- Pay the $225 license fee. Once DOPL confirms exam passage and bond, pay to receive your contractor certificate of competency. Source.
- Stay compliant. Include your contractor number in advertising and only perform work within your license scope; unlicensed practice triggers civil penalties. IDAPA 24.39.70.300.
- Renew on time. Idaho currently lists a 3‑year term ($150 renewal) for HVAC contractors, with a transition to 2‑year renewals beginning October 30, 2026. Fees table; renewal update.
Idaho HVAC contractor license: forms, fees, and exam
Use the official HVAC Contractor Application to apply ($35 processing). After approval, DOPL sends exam scheduling instructions. The open‑book PSI exam draws from the DOPL Contractor’s Business & Law Reference Manual and requires 70% to pass within 240 minutes. PSI bulletin.
Bond, insurance, and permits for Idaho HVAC contractors
Idaho law requires a $2,000 HVAC contractor bond before licensure; the statute does not impose a statewide general liability insurance mandate, though many clients and local jurisdictions expect it. Idaho Code §54‑5007. Pull state HVAC permits through DOPL as applicable to each job. DOPL FAQs.
Renewing an Idaho HVAC contractor license
As of October 12, 2026, DOPL lists HVAC contractor licenses with a 3‑year term (renewal $150). DOPL will begin shifting to a 2‑year renewal cycle on October 30, 2026, aligning expirations to the licensee’s birthday; fees will adjust proportionally. Watch DOPL notices for your assigned timing. Fees table; official update.
Related Idaho professional pathways
If you’re diversifying your service offerings or considering parallel compliance paths, compare our breakdown of Idaho security guard license costs and the detailed steps to earn a Private Investigator license in Idaho—both helpful models for budgeting and planning credentialed operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a journeyman to get the Idaho HVAC contractor license?
For individuals, yes—you must already hold an active Idaho HVAC journeyman license. Business entities can qualify if they employ at least one active Idaho HVAC journeyman. DOPL application.
What’s on the Idaho HVAC contractor exam?
The PSI exam has 100 questions, a 70% passing score, and a 240‑minute limit. It’s open‑book and based on DOPL’s Contractor’s Business & Law Reference Manual (printed in a 3‑ring binder). PSI Candidate Bulletin.
How much does the Idaho HVAC contractor license cost?
Expect a $35 application fee, a $225 license fee after you pass, the cost of a $2,000 bond, and a PSI exam fee (paid to PSI). The current renewal fee is $150 every 3 years. Application; DOPL HVAC fees.
Is general liability insurance required by Idaho?
State law does not mandate general liability insurance for HVAC contractors, but a $2,000 bond is required to obtain and maintain the license. Many customers may still require proof of insurance. Idaho Code §54‑5007.
Are there HVAC continuing education requirements in Idaho?
No. DOPL lists no CEU requirement for Idaho HVAC licensees. DOPL HVAC FAQs.
How often do I renew—and is that changing?
Currently, HVAC contractor licenses renew every 3 years ($150). DOPL has announced a phased switch to 2‑year renewals beginning October 30, 2026; your exact timing depends on your birth year/date. Fees table; DOPL update.
Ready to move forward? License Navigator can guide you through each DOPL form, exam milestone, and bond step so you get licensed faster and stay compliant year after year.
Want it filed for you? Talk to a licensing expert
Published by
About this publication
Licensing Navigator researches business licensing requirements and organizes them into practical, state-by-state guidance. Our pages are research aids, not legal advice.