The state of Idaho does not require a contractor license for general contractors working on residential or commercial projects that are financed by private money. However contractors should check the regulations at their local level. However the state does requires plumbers, electricians, well drillers, fire protection sprinkler contractors, public works contractors and manufactured home installers to have a contractor license.

Manufactured Home Installer Contractor License

The applicant must hold a State of Idaho Manufactured Home Dealer license or a State of Idaho Manufactured Home Service Company license.

Electrician Contractor License

• Electrical work in Idaho issues these licenses:
• Contractor
• Journeyman
• Master journeyman
• Specialty.

Journeyman's License:

• Four (4) years of work experience in the trade and four (4) years of approved electrical apprenticeship classroom instruction.

Master License:

• Four (4) years experience as a journeyman.

Idaho also requires a contractor license for each of these specialty electrical trades:

• Elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, or moving walk           
• Refrigeration, heating and air conditioning
• Signs        
• Limited energy
• Manufacturing or assembling equipment
• Irrigation sprinkler
• Water pump installer        

Plumber Contractor License

The state licenses plumbing contractors, journeymen, specialty journeyman and specialty contractors.

There are two types of specialty plumbing licenses. A journeyman plumber can do these tasks under his or her license:

• Mobile home hook-up contractor
• Mobile home hook-up journeyman.

A basic plumber contractor's license requires two (2) years work experience (2,000 hours per year) as a licensed journeyman electrician. As well, an plumbing license can be issued if the contractor has a licensed journeyman at the particular company.

Well Drilling Contractor License

Drilling a well in Idaho requires a contractor license.

The Idaho Water Resource Board distributes the well driller's licenses. A well drilling company needs to:

• Have at least one qualified well drilling supervisor responsible for the drilling work
• Provide a list of all operators in their employ
• Post a surety or cash bond for $5,000 to $20,000. This amount is set by the Director of the Idaho Water Resource Board
• Get a $200 driller's license fee

The qualifications for a well drilling supervisor requires that he or she must have been employed full time in the industry for at least 30 months while under the supervision of someone with a valid Idaho well driller's license. An equivalent qualification from another state will be considered.  In addition, and appropriate classroom work can be substituted for 12 of the 30 months. All applicants must pass an exam given by the Director of the Idaho Water Resources Board. The exam covers the following subjects:

• Idaho water law on the appropriation of ground water
• Land description by section, township, etc.
• Geology
• Idaho law on well drilling
• Ground-water geology
• Well drilling equipment infomration
• Well construction standards adopted by the Board

Fire Protection Sprinkler Contractor License

The installation of fire sprinkler systems requires a Fire Protection Sprinkler Contractor License. The qualifications include a person to:

• Be an owner, officer, or manager of your company
• Have installed four fire sprinkler systems of more than 200 heads each
• Pass a Level III Certification in fire protection (Automatic Sprinkler System Design) from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies or its equivalent
• Pass an exam under the Idaho State Fire Marshal
• Post a $2000 bond
• Have liability insurance of at least $250,000

Public Works Contractor License

To bid or work on a public works project of $10,000 or over in the state of Idaho requires a Public Works Contractor License.

Consumers are advised to check for additional local municipal contractor license requirements as contractor laws tend to be amended. It is also advised to double check with the state’s requirements before hiring a contractor.