At a glance
The fastest way to orient yourself in Idaho is to know these key signals.Frequently asked questions
Pick the tab that matches your situation. Each FAQ gives a direct answer and points you to the full detail below.- Contractors
- Regulators
How do I register as a contractor in Idaho, and which agency do I contact?
How do I register as a contractor in Idaho, and which agency do I contact?
What is a public works license in Idaho, and when is one required?
What is a public works license in Idaho, and when is one required?
Does Idaho require separate licenses for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors?
Does Idaho require separate licenses for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors?
Where do I go to get licensed in Idaho?
Where do I go to get licensed in Idaho?
How much does it cost to register and get licensed?
How much does it cost to register and get licensed?
What are the bonding and insurance requirements?
What are the bonding and insurance requirements?
Can I use my out-of-state license in Idaho?
Can I use my out-of-state license in Idaho?
Does Idaho require a license for roofing work?
Does Idaho require a license for roofing work?
What are the public works license classes and bid limits?
What are the public works license classes and bid limits?
Does Idaho require a construction manager license?
Does Idaho require a construction manager license?
Start with your goal
Pick the card that matches what you need right now. Each one links to the relevant section on this page.Is licensure triggered?
Find the right regulator
Application and renewal details
Reciprocity direction
Special considerations
Different roles need different things from an Idaho page. Use the tab that matches your situation to see what matters most before you read the full detail below.- Contractors
- Regulators
- All general contractors and subcontractors must register — there is no dollar minimum for registration.
- Public works projects of $50,000 or more require a separate class-based license (D through Unlimited).
- Registration requires $300,000 minimum general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
- Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work requires separate trade licenses in addition to registration.
- Out-of-state applicants from non-reciprocal states must provide double the standard experience (8 years / 16,000 hours) for trade licenses.
- Plumbing and HVAC contractors must post a $2,000 surety bond.
- Construction managers must be separately licensed through Public Works Licensing.
Readiness checklist
Four things you need to confirm before you can treat Idaho as “ready” for a bid or an application. If any of these are unclear, you are not ready yet.Register as a contractor
$300,000 general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.Check the public works threshold
$50,000 or more, you need a separate class-based license from DOPL. Determine the correct class (D through Unlimited) based on bid limits and financial requirements.Route trade licenses to DOPL
Confirm the requirement set
Navigation
Use these links to jump to related cross-state comparisons and workflows.- New state evaluation if you are screening Idaho for the first time.
- Multi-state bid readiness if you need to compare Idaho with nearby jurisdictions.
- Licensing thresholds or prequalification patterns for cross-state context.
Construction work regulated
Idaho requires universal contractor registration for all construction work, plus additional licensing for public works and regulated trades. The public works threshold is the key dollar gate.Common determination scenarios
If you are trying to figure out where to start, expand the scenario that is closest to your situation.Private home or commercial project
Private home or commercial project
Public works project
Public works project
Electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work
Electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work
Out-of-state contractor entering Idaho
Out-of-state contractor entering Idaho
Construction management
Construction management
Who regulates construction
Idaho splits construction regulation between a registration board and a licensing division. Use this directory to find the correct agency for your situation.Home and commercial contractor registration — General Contractors Board
Home and commercial contractor registration — General Contractors Board
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and public works licensing — Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and public works licensing — Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
Requirements
Idaho has separate requirement structures for contractor registration, trade licensing, and public works licensing. Expand the category that applies to your situation. Fee tables are included in each section.Contractor Registration (Home and Commercial)
Contractor Registration (Home and Commercial)
Electricians
Electricians
Plumbers
Plumbers
HVAC Contractors
HVAC Contractors
Public Works Licensing
Public Works Licensing
Construction Managers
Construction Managers
Reciprocal agreements
Idaho’s reciprocity is trade-specific. Contractor registration has no reciprocity — all applicants must register regardless of out-of-state credentials. Electrical journeyman licenses have the broadest coverage at 14 states.Types of licenses
This section lists the credential categories Idaho offers across its registration and licensing systems. Use it when you need to confirm the exact classification for an application or comparison.Contractor Registration
Contractor Registration
- 001 General Commercial Builder
- 002 General Residential Builder
- 003 General Remodel Builder
- 004 Supplier
- 010 Demolition, Abatement, Mitigation
- 020 Excavation, Trenching, Site Prep
- 030 Septic Systems
- 040 Water Well Systems
- 050 Roads, Driveways
- 060 Footings, Foundation
- 070 Waterproofing
- 080 Concrete Flatwork
- 090 Framing Labor & Rough Carpentry
- 100 Structural Steel, Metal Studs
- 110 Roofing
- 140 Alarm, AV, Data Systems
- 160 Insulation
- 170 Doors, Windows
- 180 Drywall, Plaster
- 190 Painting, Wall Coverings
- 200 Wallpapering
- 210 Cabinets, Countertops
- 220 Finish Labor
- 230 Finish Hardware, Mirrors
- 240 Stairway Systems
- 250 Closet Systems
- 260 Acoustical Ceilings
- 270 Finish Flooring Installation
- 280 Fireplaces, Wood Stoves
- 290 Elevators, Dumb Waiters
- 300 Fire Protection Systems
- 310 Appliance Installation
- 315 Cleaning Services
- 320 Siding, Soffits, Fascias
- 330 Gutters
- 340 Stucco, Masonry, Tile
- 350 Decks
- 360 Ornamental Iron/Railings
- 370 Carports
- 380 Asphalt Paving
- 390 Fencing, Gates, Barriers
- 400 Landscaping, Sprinklers
- 410 Pools, Spas
- 420 Tanks, Containers
- 430 Signage
- 440 Log Structures
- 450 Pre-Engineered Structures
- 460 Welding
- 470 Heavy Equipment
- 500 Handyman
Public Works
Public Works
- Construction Management (Individual Only)
- Heavy Construction
- Highway Construction
- Building Construction
- Specialty Construction
- D — up to $50,000
- C — up to $200,000
- CC — up to $400,000
- B — up to $600,000
- A — up to $1,250,000
- AA — up to $3,000,000
- AAA — up to $5,000,000
- Unlimited — no bid limit
Public Works Specialties
Public Works Specialties
- 01107 Engineering
- 01541 Scaffolding and Shoring
- 01542 Craning and Erection
- 01550 Construction Zone Traffic Control
- 01570 Temporary Erosion and Sediment Controls
- 02110 Excavations, Removal and Handling of Hazardous Material
- 02115 Removals of Underground Storage Tanks
- 02195 Environmental Remediation, Restoration and Soil Stabilization
- 02210 Drilling
- 02220 Demolition
- 02230 Site Clearing
- 02231 Logging
- 02232 Tree Removal and Trimming
- 02240 Dewatering and Subsurface Drainage
- 02260 Earth Retention Systems, MSE Walls, and Retaining Walls
- 02265 Slurry Walls
- 02270 Rockfall Mitigation and High Scaling
- 02310 Excavation and Grading
- 02312 Dust Control, Dust Abatement and Dust Oiling
- 02317 Rock Trenching
- 02318 Hauling
- 02319 Blasting
- 02325 Dredging
- 02404 Horizontal and Directional Earth Boring, Trenching and Tunneling
- 02450 Drilled Piers, Pile Driving, Caisson Drilling, Geopier and Helical Piers
- 02500 Utilities
- 02520 Well Drilling
- 02580 Installation of Communication Towers
- 02660 Membrane Liners for Ponds and Reservoirs
- 02720 Crushing
- 02740 Asphalt Paving
- 02761 Traffic Marking and Striping
- 02785 Asphalt Maintenance and Repair, Seal Coating, Crack Sealing and Chip Sealing
- 02790 Athletic and Recreational Surfaces
- 02810 Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems
- 02820 Fencing
- 02840 Guardrails and Safety Barriers
- 02850 Bridges and Structures
- 02855 Bridge Crossings and Box Culverts
- 02880 Installation of School Playground Equipment
- 02890 Traffic Signs and Signals
- 02900 Landscaping, Seeding and Mulching
- 02910 Slope Stabilization, Hydroseeding, Hydromulching, Native Plant Revegetation
- 02935 Landscape Maintenance
- 02937 Pest Control, Sterilization and Herbicide Applications
- 02955 Pipeline Cleaning, Sealing, Lining and Bursting
- 02965 Cold Milling, Rumble Strip Milling, Asphalt Reclaiming and Pavement Grinding
- 02990 Structural Moving
- 03200 Concrete Reinforcing Rebar Installation
- 03300 Concrete
- 03370 Specially Placed Concrete, Concrete Pumping and Shotcreting
- 03380 Post-Tensioned Concrete Structures or Structural Members
- 03500 Gypcrete
- 03600 Concrete Grouting
- 03650 Pressure Grouting and Slab Jacking
- 03900 Concrete Demolition, Sawing, Cutting, Core Drilling, Joint Sealing and Hydrocutting
- 04000 Masonry
- 04900 Chemical Cleaning and Masonry Restoration
- 05090 Welding
- 05100 Steel Fabrication, Erection and Installation
- 05700 Ornamental Metals
- 05830 Bridge Expansion Joints and Repairs
- 06100 Carpentry, Framing and Remodeling
- 06130 Log and Heavy Timber Construction
- 06139 Docks — Log and Wood Structures
- 06200 Finish Carpentry and Millwork
- 07100 Waterproofing and Damp-proofing
- 07200 Thermal Insulation
- 07240 Stucco and Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS)
- 07400 Roofing and Siding
- 07450 Siding and Decking
- 07700 Sheet Metal Flashings, Roof Specialties and Accessories
- 07800 Sprayed on Fireproofing
- 07920 Caulking and Joint Sealants
- 08100 Doors, Gates, Specialty Doors and Activating Devices
- 08500 Windows, Glass and Glazing
- 09110 Steel Stud Framing
- 09200 Lath and Plaster
- 09250 Drywall
- 09300 Tile and Terrazzo
- 09500 Acoustical Treatment
- 09600 Flooring
- 09680 Floor Covering and Carpeting
- 09900 Painting and Decorating
- 09950 Sand Blasting
- 09960 Specialty Coatings
- 10150 Institutional Equipment
- 10270 Raised Access Flooring
- 10445 Non-Electrical Signs
- 11001 Specialty Machinery and Equipment Installation and Servicing
- 11140 Petroleum and Vehicle Service Equipment, Installation and Repair
- 11200 Water/Wastewater and Chemical Treatment
- 11485 Climbing Wall Structures and Products
- 12011 Prefabricated Equipment and Furnishings
- 12490 Window, Wall Coverings, Drapes and Blinds
- 13110 Cathodic Protection
- 13121 Pre-Manufactured Components and Modular Structures
- 13125 Pre-Engineered Building Kits
- 13150 Swimming Pools and Spas
- 13165 Aquatic Recreational Equipment
- 13201 Circular Prestressed Concrete Storage Tanks
- 13280 Hazardous Material Remediation
- 13290 Radon Mitigation
- 13800 Instrumentation and Controls
- 13850 Alarm Systems
- 13930 Fire Suppression Systems (Wet and Dry-Pipe Sprinklers)
- 13970 Fire Extinguisher and Fire Suppression Systems
- 14200 Elevators, Lifts and Hoists
- 15100 Pipe Fitter and Process Piping
- 15400 Plumbing
- 15510 Boiler and Steam Fitting
- 15550 Chimney Repair
- 15600 Refrigeration
- 15700 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- 15950 Testing and Balancing of Systems
- 16000 Electrical
- 16700 Communication
- 16800 Limited Electrical Contractor
- 18100 Golf Course Construction
- 18200 Underwater Installation and Diving
- 18300 Develop Gas and Oil Wells
- 18400 Nonstructural Restoration after Fire or Flood
- 18600 Building Cleaning and Maintenance
- 18700 Snow Removal
- 18800 Roadway Cleaning, Sweeping and Mowing
Trade Licenses
Trade Licenses
- Apprentice
- Journeyman
- Master
- Contractor
- Limited Trainee
- Limited Installer
- Limited Contractor
- Apprentice
- Specialty Apprentice
- Journeyman
- Specialty Journeyman
- Contractor
- Specialty Contractor
- Apprentice
- Specialty Apprentice
- Journeyman
- Specialty Journeyman
- Contractor
- Specialty Contractor

