Idaho electrical contractor and license law
Scope
Idaho law questions test the licensing framework in Idaho Code Title 54, Chapter 10 and rules administered by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Know who may contract, who may perform work, and when local permits and inspections apply.
Core rules
- Electrical contracting for compensation requires an Idaho electrical contractor license; the license is held by the business and must have a qualifier.
- Individual electrician credentials (master, journeyman, apprentice) do not authorize a company to contract. Employees work under the contractor license and supervision rules.
- Local jurisdictions issue electrical permits and inspect work; a state license does not replace a local permit.
- Advertising, bidding, and offering to perform electrical work are regulated. An unlicensed bid can itself violate the law.
- Low-voltage work is not automatically exempt. The scope of the license and the adopted code determine what is allowed.
Worked example
A property-maintenance company wants to install 24 V landscape lighting and HVAC controls for paying customers. The owner holds a journeyman card but no contractor license. The company still needs an Idaho electrical contractor license with a qualifier and must obtain local permits. The journeyman card lets the owner work as an employee, not offer contracting services.
Traps
Using a personal electrician license to advertise a separate company; assuming low voltage means no license; skipping permits because the work is small; and letting an unlicensed helper contract directly with the customer.