Idaho Contractor License Lookup

Idaho requires contractors to register with the state (a registration, not a competency license) unless the job is casual or minor and under $2,000. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work needs a state license or certificate. Search contractors on the official site of the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards), and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards)

Idaho rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.

Idaho: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This state rule applies to jobs of $2,000 or more. Credential: contractor registration.

    Contractors must be registered with the state unless the work on one project is casual or minor and the total contract price for labor, materials and everything else is less than $2,000. Source: Idaho Code 54-5204(1); 54-5205(1), (2)(a), (2)(f)

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • People licensed in a state trade (electrical, plumbing, HVAC and others) do not need contractor registration for the work their license covers.
    • Employees working for wages for a contractor do not need their own registration.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards)

What to check on the board's record

  • The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
  • The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
  • The license type or class covers your kind of job.
  • The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How Idaho licenses contractors

Idaho requires contractors to register with the state (a registration, not a competency license) unless the job is casual or minor and under $2,000. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work needs a state license or certificate. Idaho Code 54-5204(1)

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. Idaho Code 54-5217(1)

Rules by type of work

Home improvement, new homes and roofing

  • contractor registration: Contractors must be registered with the state unless the work on one project is casual or minor and the total contract price for labor, materials and everything else is less than $2,000. Issued by Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards). Idaho Code 54-5204(1); 54-5205(1), (2)(a), (2)(f)
    • People licensed in a state trade (electrical, plumbing, HVAC and others) do not need contractor registration for the work their license covers.
    • Employees working for wages for a contractor do not need their own registration.

Electrical work

  • electrical contractor license: An electrical contracting business must hold a state electrical contractor license, and the electricians doing the work must hold state residential, journeyman or master licenses. Issued by Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards). Idaho Code 54-1002(1), (2)

Plumbing

  • plumbing certificate of competency: Plumbing work requires a state certificate of competency, earned by passing the state plumbing exam. Issued by Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards). Idaho Code 54-2610; 54-2602(1)(a)
    • Owners doing plumbing in their own single-family or duplex home are exempt but must follow the plumbing code.

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

  • HVAC certificate of competency: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning work requires a state HVAC certificate of competency. Issued by Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards). Idaho Code 54-5008; 54-5002(1)(a)
    • Owners installing or maintaining HVAC in their own single-family or duplex home are exempt from the certificate requirement.

Where to look up contractors in Idaho

  • Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards): official license search

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a contractor license in Idaho?

Use the official online license search from the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards). Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job.

Do you need a contractor license for a small job in Idaho?

Contractors must be registered with the state unless the work on one project is casual or minor and the total contract price for labor, materials and everything else is less than $2,000. For jobs under $2,000, this state rule generally does not apply, but the conditions and exceptions listed on this page can change that, and a city or county can require its own license.

Which trades need a state license in Idaho?

Electrical: electrical contractor license from the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards). Plumbing: plumbing certificate of competency from the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards). HVAC: HVAC certificate of competency from the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards).

What happens if an Idaho contractor works without a required license?

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.

Sources

Checked against official Idaho sources on October 25, 2026.

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