Licensing Guides
Idaho Electrician License & Certification | 2025 Contractor Guide
HVAC, ID
April 10th, 2026
Joanne Bratton
Table of Contents
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrical Technician in Idaho?
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in Idaho?
How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician Contractors License in Idaho?
How Can I Prepare for the Electrician License Exam in Idaho?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an Electrician License in Idaho?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Electrical Work in Idaho?
Working with electricity is a dangerous and demanding job, but with the right education and training you can learn how to do it right and become an electrical professional in Idaho.
Everyone needs an electrician at some point. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 818,700 electricians nationwide and 5,380 in Idaho.
The national number is predicted to grow 10% from 2024 to 2034, adding more than 80,000 to the ranks of this important workforce. That growth rate in Idaho is projected at 29%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
Contractors struggle to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC or mechanical professionals, while the demand for them continues to grow. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment in Idaho in July 2025 totaled 78,000, an increase of 6,100 (8.5%) from July 2024 and an increase of 22,900 (42%) from February 2020. So, if you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from.
Licensing Requirements for Electrical Contractors in Idaho
Is a license required for electricians in Idaho? Yes.
To legally perform electrical work in the state of Idaho, you must be licensed by the state. The Idaho Electrical Board, within the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), issues these licenses. The website lists instructions on how to apply for an electrical license.
Steps to Get an Electrical License in Idaho
There are different requirements for each level of electrical licensing. At every level, Idaho law requires registration or a license. To get an electrician license in Idaho, follow these steps:
Be at least 16 to 18 years old (age depends on the apprenticeship program).
Earned a high school diploma or GED.
Complete an electrical apprenticeship combining work experience and classroom instruction.
Pass a journeyman electrical exam.
Apply for your license with DOPL.
Pay license fee.
For each progressive license, such as master and contractor, complete additional work experience, pass an exam, and apply for the license.
How to Become an Electrician in Idaho
To become a licensed electrician in Idaho, you must:
Be at least 18 years of age.
Meet the experience and/or educational requirements.
Pass an electrical exam, if applicable to the license.
Pay applicable fees.
For contractors, obtain insurance coverage.
Below are the specifics for each license.
ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE REGISTRATION
Work experience: Register for a board-approved apprenticeship program.
Apply for license: Register online as an apprentice with the DOPL every year, until you complete 8,000 hours of work experience and four years of approved schooling.
Pay fees: $15 application fee; $15 for a one-year registration.
Limitations: Apprentices must work under the constant supervision of a licensed residential electrician, journeyman electrician, or master electrician.
LIMITED ELECTRICAL INSTALLER TRAINEE REGISTRATION
Work experience: As a trainee, you’re working to complete 4,000 hours of work experience for a specific specialty category (listed below).
Apply for license: Register online with DOPL.
Pay fee: $15 application fee; $30 for a three-year registration.
Limitations: Trainees must be supervised by a licensed electrician and are limited to performing work within the specific license category.
LIMITED ELECTRICAL INSTALLER LICENSE
Work experience: Complete 4,000 hours of work experience in the licensed specialty category. Specialty categories include:
Elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, or moving-walk
Irrigation sprinkler
Limited energy (includes fire and security alarm systems)
Manufacturing/assembling equipment
Outside wireman (lineman)
Refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning
Sign
Solar photovoltaic
Well driller/water pump installer
Pass licensing exam: Apply online to DOPL to receive approval to schedule the limited electrical installer exam, administered by DOPL. Exam cost is $75. Note: DOPL’s in-house electrical specialty exams will be transferred to PSI beginning in January and February 2026.
Apply for license: Apply online with DOPL for a limited electrical installer license.
Pay fee: $15 application fee; $55 for a three-year license.
Limitations: Licensees are limited to performing work only in the specific license category.
RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICIAN LICENSE
Work experience: Complete an apprenticeship of 4,000 hours of work experience and two years of instruction approved by the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education and the Idaho Electrical Board.
Apply for license: Apply online with DOPL for a residential electrician license. Note: The Idaho Electrical Board is in the process of completing licensing requirements, including an exam, for this license.
Pay fee: $15 application fee; $55 for a three-year license.
Limitations: This license permits work only in a residential setting, which is defined as one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, and multifamily structures up to three stories.
PROVISIONAL JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN LICENSE
Work experience: Complete 16,000 hours of electrical installation work.
Apply for license: Apply online with DOPL for a provisional journeyman electrician license.
Pay fee: $15 application fee; $55 for a six-month license.
Limitations: This is a temporary license for those who have completed their work experience but have not yet passed the journeyman electrician exam. This license may be renewed only once, if the applicant failed the exam during the six-month license period or if an exceptional circumstance prevented the applicant from taking the exam.
ELECTRICAL JOURNEYMAN LICENSE
Work experience: Complete a board-approved apprenticeship program of 8,000 hours work experience and four years of schooling. Or, complete 16,000 hours work experience.
Pass licensing exam: Pass the journeyman electrician exam or the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) journeyman electrician exam administered by PSI. Exam cost is $75.
Apply for license: Apply online with DOPL for an electrical journeyman license.
Pay fee: $15 application fee; $55 for a three-year license.
Increased authority: Electrical journeymen can supervise apprentices.
ELECTRICAL MASTER LICENSE
Work experience: Applicants must have held an active electrical journeyman license for four years.
Pass licensing exam: Pass the master electrician exam or the NASCLA master electrician exam administered by PSI. Exam cost is $75.
Apply for license: Apply online with DOPL for an electrical master license.
Pay fee: $15 application fee; $65 for a three-year license.
Increased authority: Master electricians can supervise electrical work and own their own contracting business.
LIMITED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE
Work experience: Individual applicants must have completed 2,000 hours of work experience as a licensed electrical journeyman and hold an active Idaho electrical master license. Business entity applicants must employ a licensed master electrician, or a licensed electrical journeyman who has completed 2,000 hours of work experience.
Pass licensing exam: Pass the limited electrical contractor exam administered by PSI. Exam cost is $75.
Apply for license: Apply online with DOPL.
Proof of insurance: Show proof of $300,000 liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance, if applicable.
Pay fees: $15 application fee; $125 license fee for a one-year license.
Limitations: Licensees may only perform work within the specific license category.
Increased authority: Electrical contractors can own their own businesses, advertise electrical services, contract electrical work, and pull electrical permits.
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE
Work experience: Individual applicants must have completed 2,000 hours of work experience as a licensed electrical journeyman and hold an active Idaho electrical master license. Business entity applicants must employ a licensed master electrician, or a licensed electrical journeyman who has completed 2,000 hours of work experience.
Pass licensing exam: Pass the electrical contractor exam administered by PSI. Exam cost is $75. Exam cost is $75.
Apply for license: Apply online with DOPL.
Proof of insurance: Show proof of $300,000 liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance, if applicable.
Pay fee: $15 application fee; $125 for a one-year license.
Limitations: Contractors who wish to bid on public projects must hold a Public Works Contractor License. The Idaho Public Works Contractors License Board oversees this license.
Increased authority: Electrical contractors can own their own businesses, advertise electrical services, contract electrical work, and pull electrical permits.
Types of Electrical Licenses in Idaho
What are the different types of electrician licenses in Idaho? The state issues nine types of electrical registrations or licenses.
Electrical Apprentice Registration
An apprentice is an individual learning the residential electrician or journeyman electrician trade who installs electrical wiring, equipment, or apparatus while under the constant, on-the-job supervision of a qualified residential electrician, journeyman electrician, or master electrician.
Limited Electrical Installer Trainee Registration
A limited electrical installer trainee performs installation in the restricted categories of electrical wiring, equipment, or apparatus under the constant, on-the-job supervision of a qualified limited electrical installer.
Limited Electrical Installer License
A limited electrical installer has the qualifications, training, experience,and technical knowledge to install, alter, repair, and supervise the installation, alteration, or repair of special classes of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment within specific categories. They may only perform work within the scope of the license. A limited electrical installer must be employed by an electrical contractor or limited electrical contractor in the same restricted category.
Residential Electrician License
A residential electrician performs or supervises the installation of electrical wiring or equipment to convey electric current, or apparatus to be operated by such current, in a residential setting. A residential setting is defined as one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, and multifamily structures up to three stories. They may only work in a non-residential setting as a registered apprentice electrician under the constant on-the-job supervision of a journeyman electrician.
Provisional Journeyman Electrician License
A provisional journeyman has completed 16,000 hours of electrical installation work and will be applying for and taking the journeyman electrician examination. This temporary license is issued for a six-month period.
Electrical Journeyman License
A journeyman performs or supervises the installation of electrical wiring or equipment to convey electric current or apparatus to be operated by such current. A journeyman may perform or supervise the planning, layout, or design of wiring, equipment, or apparatus.
Electrical Master License
A person who has the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to perform or supervise the planning, layout, or design of electrical wiring or equipment installation.
Limited Electrical Contractor License
A limited electrical contractor is a person, partnership, company, firm, association, or corporation who performs or enters into agreements to perform the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment within restricted categories. Limited electrical contractors shall perform work only within the scope of the restricted category for which the contractor is licensed.
Electrical Contractor License
An electrical contractor is a person, partnership, company, firm, association, or corporation who installs or enters into agreements to install wires or equipment to carry electric current or installs apparatus to be operated by such current.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Electrician in Idaho
There are many benefits to getting your electrical license in Idaho.
First and most importantly, it is required by Idaho law to obtain a state registration or license to legally perform any electrical work.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.
You begin earning money from the start as an electrical apprentice.
It protects your company and customers.
It gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
As you build on your expertise, your earning potential increases and you have more authority to pull building permits and bid on projects.
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrical Technician in Idaho?
The annual mean wage for electricians in Idaho is $62,180 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary can increase as you acquire more experience. An electrician salary database, shared with ServiceTitan by Payscale.com, projects the median electrician salary will increase nationally in 2025 by 3.59% for entry-level workers, 3.24% for intermediate level, and 3.15% for senior level electricians. In Idaho those salary projections are:
Entry (<2 years): $57,400
Intermediate (2-4 years): $67,400
Senior (4-7 years): $72,600
Salaries can vary widely depending on the city where you work and other factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. If you choose to start an electrical business, this blog can give you an idea of how to improve your profit margins.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average tickets.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in Idaho?
The cost of an electrician license in Idaho varies depending on the type of license. Idaho statutes list the following license fees:
Electrical Apprentice Registration: $15 for a one-year registration
Limited Electrical Installer Trainee Registration: $30 for a three-year registration
Limited Electrical Installer License: $55 for a three-year license
Residential Electrician License: $55 for a three-year license
Provisional Journeyman Electrician License: $55 for a six-month license
Electrical Journeyman License: $55 for a three-year license
Electrical Master License: $65 for a three-year license
Limited Electrical Contractor License: $125 for a one-year license
Electrical Contractor License: $125 for a one-year license
Application fee: All applicants pay a $15 application fee
Testing fee: For licenses that require exams, all exams cost $75. The exams are administered by PSI or DOPL.
How Long Does it Take to Get an Electrician Contractors License in Idaho?
The minimum amount of time it takes to get an electrical license depends on the license type. A residential electrician license requires a minimum of two years of work experience and educational instruction.
It will take a minimum of four years to complete an electrical apprenticeship and schooling to become a licensed journeyman electrician. To become an Idaho master electrician, you will need to work an additional four years as an Idaho journeyman. If you choose to become an individual contractor, you must hold a master license.
The great news is that as an apprentice you begin earning a wage from the very beginning. Compensation increases each year as you acquire more training and knowledge, until you are licensed at the journey level. It increases again when you acquire your master license.
As a licensed contractor, you can start your own electrical business, be your own boss, and grow your business as much as you want. And we have a tool to help you.
The #1 newsletter for the trades.
Idaho Electrician Training Programs and Schools
There are many programs to get the training you need to become an electrician in Idaho. The Idaho Electrical Board lists approved apprenticeship programs on its program information and exams page. These programs include non-union and union apprenticeships.
There are a number of colleges that offer approved programs for an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree combining an apprenticeship with additional education.
College of Eastern Idaho
College of Southern Idaho
College of Western Idaho
North Idaho College
Idaho State University also offers a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology.
Tuition: Tuition cost depends on the program you choose. Some apprenticeships are fully paid by your employer with required good grades. An in-state resident can expect to pay about $3,634 per year in tuition at a community college.
Program Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you will need to use good customer service skills, possess mechanical capability, pay attention to detail, and be physically fit. The job typically includes hours of walking, standing, and working in tight spaces, and includes some heavy lifting.
For more detailed information about electrical school options in Idaho, check out our post — Electrician Schools in Idaho: The Ultimate Guide.
Idaho Electrician Licensing Exam Details
Idaho requires an examination for most electrical licenses. PSI administers the majority of the exams. Exam cost is $75. DOPL will administer the electrical specialty exams until January and February 2026, when PSI will begin offering them.
All exams are open book with approved references, which are listed in the individual candidate bulletins listed below. PSI has testing locations throughout the state. Candidates may also take Idaho exams at PSI exam centers in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and Nevada.
Electrical journeyman exam
To be eligible to take the exam, journeyman applicants must complete a board-approved apprenticeship program of 8,000 hours work experience and four years of schooling. Or, they may complete 16,000 hours of work experience.
Journeyman applicants may choose to take either the journeyman electrician exam or the NASCLA journeyman electrician exam. The journeyman electrician exam has 100 questions and a 270-minute time limit. A passing score is 70%. PSI’s candidate information bulletin contains detailed exam information. It also offers a NASCLA exam candidate information bulletin.
Electrical master exam
Master applicants must have held an active electrical journeyman license for four years. Applicants may choose to take either the master electrician exam or the NASCLA master electrician exam.
The exam has 100 questions and a 270-minute time limit. A passing score is 75%. PSI’s candidate information bulletin provides detailed exam information. It also offers a NASCLA exam candidate information bulletin.
Electrical contractor/limited electrical contractor exam
Individual electrical contracting applicants must have completed 2,000 hours of work experience as a licensed electrical journeyman and hold an active Idaho electrical master license. Business entity applicants must employ a licensed master electrician, or a licensed electrical journeyman who has completed 2,000 hours of work experience.
The electrical contractor/limited electrical contractor exam has 100 questions and a 240-minute time limit. A passing score is 70%. PSI’s candidate information bulletin provides detailed exam information.
Limited electrical installer exams
DOPL will administer electrical specialty exams for limited electrical installers until January and February 2026, when PSI will begin offering them. The Idaho Electrical Board provides in-house exam information on its program information and exams page and in its electrical exams information bulletin.
How Can I Prepare for the Electrician License Exam in Idaho?
At each license level, you must complete a specific amount of training before taking the exam. Those who complete an apprenticeship will receive the work experience, training, and knowledge to take the licensing exam.
Exam content varies based on the licensing exam, but subjects include general electrical knowledge, safety, electrical theory, wiring methods, and equipment.
While references also vary based on the exam, electrical journeyman applicants will need to be familiar with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70 National Electrical Code (NEC) and other approved references (listed in the exam candidate information bulletins above).
Candidates must bring the reference manual in a three-ring loose-leaf binder, which requires printing and hole-punching before arrival. Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and/or indexed before the exam, but does not allow temporary tabs, such as sticky notes.
Who Issues Electrician Licenses in Idaho?
The Idaho Electrical Board, within the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) issues electrical licenses.
The Idaho Electrical Board may be contracted by email at tradelicensing@dopl.idaho.gov. DOPL’s main phone number is (208) 334-3233.
Does My Idaho Electrician License Work in Any Other State?
Yes, your Idaho electrical license will help you obtain an electrical license in several other states without taking another examination. You will still need to apply for the license and meet the licensing requirements.
Idaho has reciprocity agreements for electrical journeyman licenses in the following states:
Colorado
Maine
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Dakota
Texas
Wyoming (also master electrician license)
Typically, electricians applying for a reciprocal license will need to show their Idaho license is in good standing and that they have held the license for at least one year. Applicants will still need to apply for the state’s license and pay licensing fees.
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an Electrician License in Idaho?
Idaho has reciprocity agreements for electrical journeyman licenses in several states, listed above. License holders who are seeking an Idaho license by reciprocity must have passed a test to obtain their license, have held their license for one year, and show proof of completing four years of on-the-job training and schooling.
National Electrical Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The main national electrical certifications are:
Independent Electrical Contractors certification
National Fire Protection Association certification
Professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability as a service provider and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Are There Electrician Scholarships in Idaho?
Yes, there are electrical scholarships in Idaho. Scholarships are awarded through the state, trade organizations, colleges, and universities.
Idaho LAUNCH provides up to 80% of published tuition and fees for those at an eligible institution, up to a maximum of $8,000. Up to half of the initial grant is available in the first year of a program. For training that takes less than 12 months, recipients may use the full amount the first year.
Other scholarship opportunities include:
How Can Someone Verify My Electrician License in Idaho?
Potential clients or employees can verify your electrical licensure through the online services page of the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.
Perform a bulk list search, or search an individual license by:
License type
License number
License status
Business name
Individual last name
License issue date
When Can an Electrician License Be Suspended in Idaho?
A suspended electrical license means the licensee is temporarily prohibited from practicing their trade legally. Some of the reasons electrical licenses can be suspended or revoked in Idaho include:
Obtaining a license through error or fraud.
The licensee is shown to be grossly incompetent.
Willfully violating any rules prescribed by the board, or as prescribed in laws and regulations.
Failing or refusing to correct within the specified time, electrical installations not in compliance.
Failing to pay civil penalties within the time provided.
For contractor licenses, failing to maintain liability or workers’ compensation insurance.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Idaho electrical license regulations refer to Idaho statutes.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Electrician Work in Idaho?
Performing electrical work in Idaho without a license is illegal, according to state law.
Working without a license is a misdemeanor and carries a $3,000 civil penalty for each violation. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense. A violation is considered a second or additional offense if it occurs within one year from the first violation.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Idaho electrical license regulations refer to Idaho statutes.
Continuing Education
Those with journeyman and master electrical licenses must show proof of completing continuing education requirements before license renewal.
The state requires journeyman and master licensees to complete a total of 24 hours of continuing education during the three-year license cycle. Of those 24 hours, 16 hours must consist of Idaho Electrical Code. The remaining eight hours may be any combination of National Electrical Code update training, code-related training, industry-related training, or independent study.
Electrical licensees renew online. Renewal fees and license terms are as follows:
Electrical Apprentice Registration: $15 for a one-year registration
Limited Electrical Installer Trainee Registration: $30 for a three-year registration
Limited Electrical Installer License: $45 for a three-year license
Residential Electrician License: $45 for a three-year license
Provisional Journeyman Electrician License: $45 for a six-month license
Electrical Journeyman License: $45 for a three-year license
Electrical Master License: $45 for a three-year license
Limited Electrical Contractor License: $100 for a one-year license
Electrical Contractor License: $100 for a one-year license
Resources
You can stay up to date on all electrical industry news in several ways:
Check top electrician blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your electrical business.
Listen to top electrician podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive electrician business software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and achieve growth. Our award-winning, cloud-based platform is trusted by more than 100,000 contractors across the country.
Ready to learn more about what ServiceTitan can do for your business? Contact our team to schedule a demo today.
