Establishing Eligibility
Before applying for a plumbing license in Idaho, you need to meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements vary depending on the type of license you’re applying for: Apprentice, Journeyman, or Contractor.
Post-licensing, review Idaho plumbing insurance plans for year-round protection.
Apprentice Plumber
To become an apprentice plumber in Idaho, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be at least 16 years old.
- You must not currently be enrolled in high school.
- You must work under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyman or contractor plumber.
The application fee for an apprentice plumber license is $50.00, and the annual renewal fee is $25.00. You can find the application form here.
Journeyman Plumber
To qualify for the Plumbing Journeyman exam or license, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must meet the requirements of Idaho Rule.
- You must submit a completed application.
- You must pay a non-refundable application fee of $22.50.
- You must have at least four years of experience as an apprentice making plumbing installations under the constant on-the-job supervision of a qualified journeyman plumber.
You can find the application form here.
Plumbing Contractor
To qualify for the Plumbing Contractor exam, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must meet the requirements of Idaho Rule.
- You must submit a completed application.
- You must pay a non-refundable application fee of $22.50.
- You must possess an active journeyman plumbing certificate of competency issued by the Division.
- You must have a provable minimum of two and one-half (2 1/2) years’ experience as a licensed journeyman plumber in the state of Idaho.
Upon passing the exam, you must submit a $2,000 Surety Bond and pay the license fee. You can find the application form here.
Applying for a Plumbing License
Once you’ve established your eligibility, you can apply for a plumbing license. The application process involves submitting a completed application form along with the required fees and any necessary supporting documents.
Apprentice Plumber
To apply for an apprentice plumber license, you must submit a completed application form along with the $50.00 application fee. The form requires information about your personal details, educational background, and work experience. You must also provide a copy of your legal identification (Driver’s license, Passport, Military ID).
Journeyman Plumber
To apply for a journeyman plumber license, you must submit a completed application form along with the $22.50 application fee. The form requires information about your personal details, educational background, and work experience. You must also provide a copy of your legal identification (Driver’s license, Passport, Military ID).
Plumbing Contractor
To apply for a plumbing contractor license, you must submit a completed application form along with the $22.50 application fee. The form requires information about your personal details, educational background, and work experience. You must also provide a copy of your legal identification (Driver’s license, Passport, Military ID).
Renewing Your Plumbing License
In Idaho, plumbing licenses must be renewed annually. The renewal fee for an apprentice plumber license is $25.00. The renewal process typically involves submitting a renewal application and fee before the license expiration date.
Plumbing License Reciprocity in Idaho
In the plumbing industry, license reciprocity refers to an agreement between states that allows a licensed plumber from one state to practice in another without having to go through the entire licensing process again. This can be a significant benefit for plumbers who want to expand their services across state lines.
Unfortunately, as of the time of writing, Idaho does not have any formal reciprocity agreements with other states for plumbing licenses. This means that if you’re a licensed plumber from another state and you want to practice in Idaho, you’ll have to go through the full licensing process in Idaho.
However, the Idaho Division of Building Safety does consider out-of-state experience when you apply for a plumbing license. If you have a valid license in another state, you can submit that as proof of your experience. This can potentially speed up the process of getting your Idaho plumbing license, as it may satisfy some of the experience requirements.
Remember, the rules can change, so it’s always a good idea to check with the Idaho Division of Building Safety for the most current information.
License Bond Requirements in Idaho
In Idaho, plumbers are required to post a contractor’s license bond before they can get their plumbing contractor license. This bond is a type of insurance that protects your customers. If you fail to fulfill your contractual obligations, your customer can make a claim against your bond.
The amount of the bond depends on the type of license:
- Plumbing Contractor: $2,000 bond
- HVAC Contractor: $2,000 bond
- Electrical Contractor: $2,000 bond
- Specialty Contractor: $2,000 bond
These bonds are not a one-time fee. They must be renewed every two years when you renew your license. You can purchase these bonds from a surety bond company. The cost will depend on your credit score and other factors.
Insurance Needs for Plumbers in Idaho
As a plumber in Idaho, you’ll need several types of insurance to fully protect your business and comply with state laws:
- General Liability Insurance: This covers third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury. For example, if a client trips over a pipe you put on the floor while repairing a sink and breaks their wrist, this policy would cover their medical expenses, as well as any legal or settlement fees if they file a lawsuit against you.
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance: If you have employees, Idaho law requires you to have workers’ compensation insurance. This policy pays for the medical bills of any employee who is injured on the job, as well as costs such as lost wages while the employee cannot work.
- Commercial Auto Insurance: Most plumbing businesses have some type of work truck or work van they use for transportation to each job site. A commercial auto policy protects your business from liabilities arising from your work vehicles (usually at-fault accidents). It can also cover the vehicle if it were damaged, whether it be a collision or some other cause.
- Tools and Equipment Insurance: From small hand tools to trenching equipment, plumbers frequently have a significant amount of equipment they need to run their business. A contractors equipment policy covers the loss of or damage to the tools or equipment, whether the cause is an auto accident or theft from a jobsite.
- Professional Liability Insurance: Also known as errors and omissions insurance, this covers claims of professional negligence, error, breach of contract, or failure to deliver a service on time. If you make a mistake in the installation that causes the system to fail, the owner could sue you for the error. This policy would cover your legal and settlement costs associated with the lawsuit.
Remember, the cost of your insurance will depend on a variety of factors such as your business location, number of employees, nature of your plumbing work/types of projects you work on, claims history, number of policies, and amount of coverage. It’s always a good idea to get a customized quote for your business from a reputable insurance provider. If you’re interested, delve into our comprehensive guide on Idaho Plumbing Insurance Guide & Quotes to get a clear understanding of the topic.
In conclusion, obtaining and maintaining a plumbing license in Idaho involves several steps, including education, exams, and fulfilling bond and insurance requirements. While the process may seem complex, it’s designed to ensure that all practicing plumbers in the state are qualified and capable of providing safe and effective services. By understanding and following these steps, you can establish a successful plumbing career in Idaho.