Do you need a general contractor license in Idaho?

Licensing office Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Idaho Contractors Board · (208) 334-3233 [1]

The license pathway in Idaho

1. 1

   Construction worker (employee)

   If you work for wages as an employee of a contractor, you don't need to register. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work still need DOPL apprentice registrations or licenses. [2][6][20][21][22]

2. 2

   Registered contractor

   • $120
   • $60 a year or $120 for two years; DOPL began moving registrations to two-year terms on October 14, 2025

   Required to do business as a contractor in Idaho. You file an application with insurance proof, a statement of the type of construction you do, and any past license denials or revocations. No exam. [1][3][4][9][23]

3. 3

   Public works contractor license

   • Yes: 100 questions, 240 minutes, 70% to pass, $75 (PSI), on Idaho public works law and DOPL's Contractor's Business and Law Reference Manual
   • Varies by class

   Needed to bid on public works projects. Seven classes, set by your company's net worth and working capital, cap the size of project you can bid on, from $200,000 (class C) to unlimited. There are four types: heavy, highway, building and specialty construction. [5][12][13][14]

Who must register

Since January 1, 2006, it has been unlawful to do business as a contractor in Idaho, or to advertise as one, without registering. A contractor is anyone who builds, alters, repairs, improves, moves or demolishes a building, road or other improvement to real property, or bids on that work.

You don't need to register if you:

• work for wages as an employee of a contractor;
• do a single job under $2,000 in total (labor and materials) that isn't part of a larger project;
• already hold a state license that covers the work, such as an electrical, plumbing or HVAC license or a public works license;
• are an owner doing your own work on your own land and not planning to sell within 12 months (the board's FAQ).

Check the full list in Idaho Code 54-5205. [2][3][6][7]

What registration takes

The application asks for your Social Security or employer tax number, business name and address, every owner, the type of construction you do, and any contractor license or registration that was denied, surrendered or revoked anywhere. You must show a general liability policy of at least $300,000 single limit, and workers' compensation insurance or a statement of why you don't need it.

Board rules also bar applicants convicted of a felony unless the board grants an exemption after reviewing the record.

There is no trade exam and no experience requirement. The board says the law "requires registration, not licensure." [2][4][8]

Fees and renewal

DOPL lists contractor registration fees effective July 1, 2026: $120 to apply for an individual or business, and renewal of $60 a year or $120 for two years. Reinstating a lapsed registration costs $40 on top of the renewal fee. The board's rule sets $60 a year and lets DOPL combine yearly fees for two-year registrations.

DOPL began moving contractor registrations from one-year to two-year terms on October 14, 2025. The board's older FAQ still describes yearly renewal, so go by the fee table and your renewal notice. [1][2][8][9]

If you work without registering

An unregistered contractor can't get building permits, loses the right to file a lien on the property, and can't sue to collect payment for work that required registration. Acting as a contractor without a current registration is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both.

Registered contractors must also make sure every contractor they hire on a job is registered. [2][3][10][11]

Public works contractor licenses

To bid on public works projects, you need a separate public works contractor license. There are four types (heavy, highway, building and specialty construction) and seven classes. Your class depends on your company's net worth and working capital and caps how much you can bid:

• Class C: $25,000 net worth, $7,500 working capital, bids up to $200,000.
• Class B: $150,000 net worth, $50,000 working capital, bids up to $600,000.
• Class AAA: $600,000 net worth, $200,000 working capital, bids up to $5,000,000.
• Unlimited: $1,000,000 net worth, $600,000 working capital, no bid limit.

The exam covers Idaho public works law and DOPL's Contractor's Business and Law Reference Manual. PSI lists it at 100 questions in 240 minutes with a 70% passing score and a $75 fee; DOPL's older fact sheet says the exam was given at DOPL offices. See the Public Works Contractors License Board. [5][12][13][14]

City licenses and home building disclosures

Idaho cities and counties may not run their own contractor registration or licensing programs; that has been the rule since January 1, 2007. They still issue building permits and must ask for your state registration number first.

If you contract with a homeowner for more than $2,000 of work on residential property, the board's FAQ explains that state law requires you to give a disclosure statement before signing, covering lien waivers, proof of insurance, title insurance and the right to request a surety bond. [2][15][16]

If you're registered in another state

Idaho's "reciprocal registration" law covers only local contractor licenses that Idaho cities and counties issued before 2007; it doesn't name other states. Because registration has no exam or experience requirement, contractors from other states file the same application, with Idaho-authorized insurance certificates. See our reciprocity guide. [2][4][15]

Steps to get licensed in Idaho

1. Get experience as an employee or apprentice

   Work for wages for a registered contractor or in a registered apprenticeship; employees don't register. See our helper jobs and how to get an apprenticeship guides. [6][18]

2. Line up insurance

   Get a general liability policy, including products and completed operations, of at least $300,000 single limit, and workers' compensation insurance if you will have employees who need it. [2][4]

3. Register with the Idaho Contractors Board

   Apply through DOPL online services with your insurance certificates, ownership information and the $120 fee. [1][4]

4. Display your registration number

   Within 60 days, show your registration number at your place of business and on advertising, contracts, permits, letterhead, purchase orders and subcontracts. Building departments ask for it before they issue permits. [2][16][19]

5. Add a public works license if you bid on public projects

   Pass the public works contractor exam with PSI and apply for the class your company's finances qualify for. [5][12][13]

Where to get the hours

Programs that train general contractors in or for Idaho, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.

• State program

  Apprenticeship Idaho (Idaho Department of Labor)

  The state's registered apprenticeship team. It points job seekers to the federal apprenticeship job finder, lists pre-apprenticeship programs, and helps schools and employers start programs. [18][24]

• Other

  Apprenticeship USA job finder

  The federal search for registered apprenticeship openings, which the Idaho Department of Labor recommends for finding programs in Idaho. [18]

• Other

  Trade apprenticeships for electrical, plumbing and HVAC

  DOPL's list of board-approved programs covers union, open-shop and college programs for the licensed trades. [25]

Licensed in another state?

Questions people ask