Idaho Plumbing License Guide

Idaho offers statewide licensure for general contractors as well as plumbers and electricians, but the licensing is done by separate boards. The State of Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses regulates contractor licenses, while the Idaho Division of Building Safety regulates plumbing and electrical licenses. The Idaho Division of Building and Safety requires those seeking to become licensed plumbers to pass the following criteria:

Idaho Plumbing License Reciprocity

In order to be licensed by reciprocity in Idaho, you must be a previously licensed journeyman plumber in one of the following states, and meet the following criteria:

Montana — must be licensed for a year.
Oregon — must be licensed for six months.
Washington — must be a current Washington resident

Idaho does not reciprocate plumbing licenses with any other states.

Idaho Plumbing Contractor License Requirements

Plumbing contractor is the highest plumbing license Idaho offers. The Division of Building Safety defines a plumbing contractor as “any person, or a member, representative or agent of a firm, copartnership, association, or corporation skilled in the planning and supervision of the construction, installation, improvement, extension and alteration of plumbing systems.” Those wishing to become plumbing contractors must first:

Complete an application;
Possess two and a half years of work experience as a journeyman plumber;
Pass the Contractor’s Exam.

Idaho Journeyman Plumber License Requirements

The Idaho Division of Building Safety’s rules and statutes defines a plumbing journeyman as “any person, who as their principal occupation, is engaged in the installation, improvement, extension and alteration of plumbing systems.” If you are hoping to become licensed as a journeyman plumber in Idaho, there are a few steps you need to take:

Submit a completed application;
Pay applicable application fees;
Complete a minimum of four years of course instruction;
Pass the journeyman exam;
Possess four years of apprentice experience, completed under the supervision of a licensed journeyman.

Idaho also offers licenses for specialty journeyman plumbers, for which one must complete an additional 18-months of work experience in their desired specialty field.

Plumbing Journeyman Exam

All Idaho plumbing exams are open book, and you can find a list of approved exam books on the testing bulletin. You must call (800) 955-3044 at least two business days prior to the date you would like to test to schedule your exam. The state of Idaho has three regional testing offices where you can take the journeyman exam. They are:

Meridian Office
1090 E. Watertower St., Ste. 150
Meridian, ID 83642
Office Hours: M-F 8:00 – 5:00 (MST)

Coeur d’ Alene Office
1250 Ironwood Dr., Ste. 220
Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83814
Office Hours: M-F 7:00 – 4:00 (PST)

Blackfoot Office
155 N. Maple St.
Blackfoot, ID 83221
Office Hours: M-F 8:00 – 5:00 (MST)

To be admitted to your testing center, you will need to bring a valid form of government ID.

Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements

The Idaho Division of Building safety requires a four-year apprenticeship to be eligible for a journeyman’s license. In order to become a plumbing apprentice, you will need:

To be at least 16 years of age;
To submit an apprenticeship registration application;
Pay applicable registration fees.

Plumbing Trade Schools in Idaho

Anyone hoping to be a licensed plumber in Idaho will have to complete education and training requirements. Here are a few institutions that offer plumbing trade or apprenticeship programs in Idaho:

College of Western Idaho
500 E Opportunity Dr,
Nampa, ID 83687

Idaho State University
921 S 8th Ave,
Pocatello, ID 83209

Treasure Valley Community College
205 S 6th Ave,
Caldwell, ID 83605

Idaho Professional License Search

You can search for your license using the Division of Building and Safety’s eTRAKiT portal.

For More License and Career Guides

To find out how to become a Plumbing Contractor in another state, start here.

For information on other trades in Idaho, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:

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