Idaho Low Voltage Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) Electrical Board issues a Limited Energy Electrical Contractor license under Idaho Code Title 54 Chapter 10 covering systems operating at less than 50 volts: structured cabling, fire alarm, burglar alarm, CCTV, access control, nurse call, and sound. Idaho consolidates all low-voltage scope into the same Limited Energy classification. Fire alarm acceptance follows NFPA 72 enforced by the State Fire Marshal under the Idaho Department of Insurance.

Governing Authority

This license is issued and enforced by Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) pursuant to Idaho Code Title 54 (Chapters 10 Electrical, 26 Plumbing, 45 Public Works Contractors, 50 HVAC, 52 Idaho Contractor Registration). DOPL houses the Idaho Contractors Board, Electrical Board, Plumbing Board, and HVAC Board. It issues public works contractor licenses, contractor registrations, and individual trade licenses statewide, administers examinations, and handles discipline.

Official portal: https://dopl.idaho.gov/
Address: 11341 W. Chinden Blvd., Bldg. 4, Boise, ID 83714
Phone: (208) 334-3233

Eligibility Requirements

At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No Idaho residency requirement.

Good moral character

The Board reviews criminal history under Idaho Code §54-1015.

Background investigation

Criminal disclosure required on the application; no fingerprinting required for the Limited Energy classification.

Experience & Education Matrix

Eligibility requires Two years (4,000 hours) of supervised limited-energy installation experience under an Idaho-licensed Limited Energy Journeyman or Electrical Contractor under IDAPA 24.39.30., documented and independently verifiable. Payroll, tax, project, and supervisor records are the usual proof the board will accept.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

DOPL Experience Affidavit signed by each supervising contractor
W-2 statements covering the qualifying period
Approved limited-energy apprenticeship certificate
NICET Fire Alarm Systems certificates (recommended)

Education substitution

The Board credits accredited electronics or telecommunications technology coursework for up to one year of experience.

Examination Structure

Prometric under contract to the Idaho Electrical Board. runs the examination for this credential. Issuance is contingent on passing every part below:

Prometric Idaho Limited Energy Journeyman trade examination — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
Prometric Idaho Electrical Contractor Business and Law examination — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $80 per part to Prometric.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken after 30 days.

Insurance & Financial Security

The cited state source set does not require a contractor license surety bond for this credential. Contractors should still confirm project-specific bond, permit-bond, or public-works bond requirements before bidding.

General liability

The Board requires minimum $300,000 commercial general liability under IDAPA 24.39.30.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under Idaho Code §72-301 for any employer.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$150
Examination	$160
Initial license	$150
Renewal (every year)	$150

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Idaho Limited Energy Electrical Contractor (Idaho DOPL Electrical Board) every year. Renewal currently costs $150. Limited Energy Electrical Contractor licenses renew annually.

Continuing education: The Board requires 16 hours of approved continuing education each renewal cycle including a code update.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Idaho Low Voltage License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

Idaho does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

Idaho does not maintain reciprocity for the Limited Energy classification.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Low Voltage license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Document 4,000 hours of supervised limited-energy experience. Compile DOPL affidavits signed by Idaho-licensed Limited Energy or Electrical Contractors.
Pass the Prometric Limited Energy Journeyman exam. Score 75% to qualify as the contractor qualifier.
Pass the Prometric Idaho Business and Law exam. Score 75% on the contractor business module.
File the DOPL contractor application. Submit with the $150 fee, exam pass certificates, $300,000 GL certificate, and qualifier designation.
Verify NICET / NFPA 72 for fire alarm. State Fire Marshal acceptance generally requires NICET Fire Alarm Level II for commercial fire alarm projects.
Renew annually. Limited Energy Electrical Contractor licenses renew each year on the licensee birth-month cycle.

Study and Reference Materials

The references below are either cited by the board, used during the application, or standard preparation for the trade. They are listed purely for convenience — CLR earns no commission on any of them.

National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), Idaho-adopted edition — NFPA. Open book at the Prometric exam.
Idaho Limited Energy Prometric Candidate Information Bulletin — Prometric. Official content outline.
NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — NFPA. Required for fire alarm content.

Common Filing Mistakes

Drawn from the board instructions and sources cited on this page, the pitfalls below are the ones most likely to slow down or sink a Idaho Low Voltage application.

Missing the 75% passing score

Idaho requires 75% on both the trade and business/law exams.

Skipping NICET on commercial fire alarm

Most Idaho AHJs require NICET Fire Alarm Level II for commercial fire alarm acceptance.

Forgetting workers comp

Idaho requires workers comp for any employer regardless of size.

Confusing scope with full electrical

Limited Energy authorizes systems under 50 V only. Tying into 120 V branch circuits requires a Journeyman Electrician.

Missing annual renewal

Late renewal triggers a surcharge and possible suspension.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The items below are the ones worth confirming before the application is filed with DOPL:

☐ Two years (4,000 hours) of supervised limited-energy experience
☐ Prometric Limited Energy Journeyman exam pass at 75%
☐ Prometric Idaho Business and Law exam pass at 75%
☐ DOPL application with $150 fee
☐ $300,000 commercial general liability certificate
☐ Workers comp coverage (if employer)

Other Idaho Trade Licenses

Should the Low Voltage path not apply, these other Idaho trade guides from CLR may help:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Idaho have a separate alarm contractor license?

No. Burglar alarm, fire alarm, and CCTV all fall under the Limited Energy Electrical Contractor classification issued by the DOPL Electrical Board.

How much experience does Idaho require?

Two years (4,000 hours) of supervised limited-energy work under an Idaho-licensed Limited Energy Journeyman or Electrical Contractor.

Who administers the exam?

Prometric under contract to the Idaho Electrical Board.

Does Idaho require liability insurance?

Yes. Minimum $300,000 commercial general liability under IDAPA 24.39.30.

How often does the license renew?

Annually on the licensee birth-month cycle.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-21 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-19