Step 1: Establish Eligibility

Before applying for an electrician license in Idaho, you must first establish your eligibility. This involves completing the necessary education and work experience requirements. The specific requirements vary depending on the type of license you are applying for:

Electrical Apprentice: As an apprentice, you are expected to learn the trade under the supervision of a licensed electrician. There are no specific educational or work experience requirements to become an apprentice. However, you must be registered with the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses and actively working under a licensed electrician. The registration process involves filling out the Trades Apprentice Registration Application and paying a processing fee of $15. This registration is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
Journeyman Electrician: To become a journeyman electrician, you must have at least 4 years (8,000 hours) of work experience under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master electrician. This work experience must include tasks such as installing, altering, or repairing electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment. In addition to the work experience, you also need to pass the journeyman electrician exam, which tests your knowledge of the National Electrical Code and Idaho state electrical laws.
Master Electrician: To become a master electrician, you must have at least 4 years of work experience as a licensed journeyman electrician. This work experience must include tasks such as designing, planning, laying out, and directly supervising the installation of electrical equipment and wiring. You also need to pass the master electrician exam, which tests your knowledge of the National Electrical Code, Idaho state electrical laws, and electrical design and installation principles.
Electrical Contractor: To become an electrical contractor, you must have a master electrician license or employ someone who does. This ensures that all work performed by the contractor is supervised by a qualified individual. In addition to the master electrician requirement, you also need to meet the business requirements for contractors, such as obtaining a contractor’s license bond and liability insurance.

Step 2: Apply for Your License

Once you’ve established your eligibility, you can apply for your license. The application process varies depending on the type of license:

Electrical Apprentice: To apply for an apprentice registration, you need to fill out the Trades Apprentice Registration Application and pay the processing fee of $15. The application requires information such as your name, date of birth, social security number, and contact information. You also need to select the type of apprentice registration (electrical, HVAC, or plumbing) and provide proof of identification and, if applicable, a copy of a license from another state.
Journeyman Electrician: To apply for a journeyman electrician license, you need to fill out the Electrical Journeyman Application and pay the application fee of $60. The application requires information such as your name, contact information, social security number, and details about your work experience and education. You also need to provide proof of passing the journeyman electrician exam and, if applicable, a copy of a license from another state.
Master Electrician: To apply for a master electrician license, you need to fill out the Electrical Master Application and pay the application fee of $75. The application requires information similar to the journeyman application, but you also need to provide proof of passing the master electrician exam and details about your work experience as a journeyman electrician.
Electrical Contractor: To apply for an electrical contractor license, you need to fill out the Electrical Contractor Application and pay the application fee of $125. The application requires information such as your business name, contact information, and details about the master electrician who will be supervising the work. You also need to provide proof of your contractor’s license bond and liability insurance.

Step 3: Renew Your License

All electrician licenses in Idaho must be renewed every three years. The renewal process involves completing the necessary continuing education units (CEUs) and paying the renewal fee. The specific requirements vary depending on the type of license:

Electrical Apprentice: As an apprentice, you are required to complete 24 CEUs prior to renewal. When applying for renewal, you must submit a completion certificate for one year of approved schooling or complete 24 hours of approved continuing education from the approved courses available through CE Broker. Eight of these hours must be an NFPA 70E course, and the remaining 16 hours can be code-update, code-related, or industry-related courses.
Journeyman Electrician: As a journeyman electrician, you must provide 24 hours of Idaho approved continuing education in order to renew your license. Of the 24 hours, 8 hours must be Code Update. The remaining 16 hours of continuing education can be from any combination of the three categories of Idaho approved continuing education that include Code Update, Code Related, or Industry Related.
Master Electrician: The renewal requirements for a master electrician are the same as for a journeyman electrician. You must provide 24 hours of Idaho approved continuing education, with 8 hours being Code Update and the remaining 16 hours being any combination of Code Update, Code Related, or Industry Related.
Electrical Contractor: As an electrical contractor, there are no specific CEU requirements. However, the master electrician employed by the contractor must meet their CEU requirements. In addition to the CEU requirements, you also need to maintain your contractor’s license bond and liability insurance to renew your contractor license.

Electrician License Reciprocity in Idaho

License reciprocity is a system where certain states recognize the validity of professional licenses issued in other states. This means that if you’re a licensed electrician in one state, you might not need to go through the entire licensing process again if you move to a state that has a reciprocity agreement with the state where you originally obtained your license.

In Idaho, the state offers reciprocity to licensed journeyman electricians from Colorado, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. However, it’s important to note that contractors must have tested for the current license and held it for one year. In addition, they must show proof of four years of schooling and on-the-job training.

For master electricians, Idaho only has reciprocity with Wyoming. This means that if you’re a master electrician licensed in Wyoming, you can work in Idaho without having to go through the full licensing process again.

It’s important to remember that reciprocity agreements can change, and it’s always a good idea to check with the Idaho Division of Building Safety or the relevant licensing board to get the most current information.

License Bond Requirements in Idaho

In Idaho, electricians are required to post a license bond as part of the licensing process. A license bond is a type of surety bond that protects your clients. If you fail to fulfill your contractual obligations, your client can make a claim against your bond.

The amount of the bond required varies depending on the type of electrical license you’re applying for. For example, electrical contractors are required to post a $2,000 bond, while specialty contractors need a $1,000 bond.

To get a license bond, you’ll need to apply through a surety bond company. You’ll pay a premium, which is a percentage of the total bond amount. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on your personal credit score and financial history.

Insurance Needs for Electricians in Idaho

As an electrician in Idaho, you’ll need to have certain types of insurance to protect your business. In Idaho, electrical contractors must have liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $300,000 for each occurrence. This is a must-have for any business, including electricians. It protects your business from any covered claim for any injuries or damages to third-party persons or property as a result of your work. This also includes legal fees to defend your business from any covered claim.

Beyond GL, here are the main types of insurance you should consider:

Workers’ Compensation Insurance: If you have employees, you’ll need workers’ compensation insurance. This type of insurance covers your employees for any injuries or illnesses that occur as a result of their job.
Commercial Auto Insurance: If you use vehicles for your business, you’ll need commercial auto insurance. This type of insurance covers any damages or injuries that occur while you or your employees are driving for work purposes.
Inland Marine Insurance: This type of insurance covers your tools and equipment from loss or theft. As an electrician, you likely have a lot of expensive equipment that you use for your job, so this type of insurance can be very beneficial.
Umbrella Insurance Coverage: This type of insurance provides coverage for catastrophic losses that exceed the underlying policy limits. It’s a good option if you want extra protection for your business.

Remember, the exact insurance requirements can vary depending on the specifics of your business and the type of work you do. It’s always a good idea to talk to an insurance professional to make sure you have the right coverage for your needs.

Conclusion

Becoming a licensed electrician in Idaho involves meeting the necessary education and work experience requirements, applying for the license, and renewing the license every three years. It’s important to understand the specific requirements for the type of license you are applying for. Additionally, electrical contractors must meet the license bond and insurance requirements. By following these steps, you can successfully start and run your electrician business in Idaho.

Please note that this information is subject to change, and it’s the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they have read and understand the requirements to perform work in Idaho. For the most current information, please visit the Idaho Division of Building Safety website.

Idaho Electrician License