Idaho Contractor License Exam Guide (2026)

How Idaho licenses contractors

Idaho’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) regulates electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractor licenses statewide. PSI (test-takers.psiexams.com/idcon) delivers the exams.

Mountain counties demand ice-dam detailing and avalanche-resistant roofs, Boise Valley jobs battle expansive clays and heat, and eastern Idaho sits in high seismic risk. Exams include frost-depth insulation, ASCE 7 snow load math, and wildfire defensible space planning.

Official source: Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses

Idaho contractor license types

Each contractor license requires a bond ($2,000 plumbing/HVAC, $10,000 electrical), liability insurance, and proof of journeyman-level experience under an Idaho-licensed contractor.

What's on the Idaho contractor exam

PSI test centers operate in Boise, Coeur d—Alene, Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Nampa with limited remote proctoring.

What Idaho exam questions emphasize

• Frost-protected shallow foundation details and insulation R-values
• Snow-load calculations for 150–200 PSF roof zones and drift conditions
• Seismic bracing for piping, conduit, and rooftop units
• Idaho-specific permitting, inspection, and licensing statutes (Idaho Code Title 54, Chapter 10/26)

Exam-day logistics

• Bring two IDs and your DOPL authorization; names must match exactly
• Reference materials must be bound—no 3-ring binders or loose pages
• Failing candidates can retest after 7 days; scores remain valid for one year

Trade-specific exam guides

If you're licensing in a single trade rather than the Idaho general contractor classification, the dedicated trade hub will get you to the right code book and exam structure faster.

• General contractor exam guide — IBC/IRC, NASCLA acceptance, and Business & Law.
• Electrical contractor exam guide — NEC (NFPA 70) calculations and grounding/bonding.
• Plumbing contractor exam guide — IPC/UPC drainage sizing, venting, and backflow.
• HVAC contractor exam guide — IMC ventilation, refrigerant management, and load calcs.

Idaho code books & approved references (2026)

Always confirm the exact editions and tab rules in your candidate bulletin before exam day. Editions can change between license cycles.

• 2023 National Electrical Code (with Idaho amendments)
• 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code
• 2021 International Mechanical Code
• 2021 International Fuel Gas Code
• Idaho Code Title 54 (Chapters 10, 19, 50)
• OSHA 29 CFR 1926

Fees & timeline for the Idaho contractor license

• Application fees vary by trade (typically $35–$50) plus background checks
• PSI exam fee (~$80 per attempt) due at scheduling
• Contractor license fee and biennial renewal fees per trade
• Bond and liability insurance premiums based on the required amounts
• Registration of Contractor fee through the Division of Building Safety for firms performing >$2,000 of work

Visit the All States hub to benchmark costs, then use DOPL’s fee schedule for the final numbers.

Idaho Business & Law focus

Idaho embeds business-law content into each trade exam, covering state licensing rules, permits, bonding, and safety.

• Know how to register as an Idaho contractor (Registration of Contractors Act) even if you hold a trade license
• Understand bond and insurance minimums and how to keep them on file
• Memorize permit, inspection, and correction notice timelines for each jurisdiction
• Review OSHA 1926 Subparts M, P, and K for safety questions

Practice with our national Business & Law exam hub for cross-state baseline rules.

A focused 4-week study plan for the Idaho exam

Because mountain counties demand ice-dam detailing and avalanche-resistant roofs, Boise Valley jobs battle expansive clays and heat, and eastern Idaho sits in high seismic risk, this four-week outline targets what Idaho field inspectors and your licensing board exam items actually test—not generic national prep.

1. Week 1 — Map the exam. Pull your current candidate bulletin, list every reference, and confirm the modules you have to pass. Start a one-page error log. Spend extra time on: Frost-protected shallow foundation details and insulation R-values.
2. Week 2 — Code book navigation. Drill open-book lookups (or memorisation drills if your module is closed-book) until you can find any answer in under 60 seconds. Anchor practice around: Snow-load calculations for 150–200 PSF roof zones and drift conditions.
3. Week 3 — Business & Law. Idaho embeds business-law content into each trade exam, covering state licensing rules, permits, bonding, and safety. Layer in scenario-based questions on contracts, lien notice, payroll, and insurance.
4. Week 4 — Full simulations. PSI test centers operate in Boise, Coeur d—Alene, Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Nampa with limited remote proctoring. Run two full-length timed simulations. Review every miss with a one-sentence rule statement.