Idaho Plumber License Requirements (2026)

The Idaho Plumbing Board, within the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), regulates all plumbing work under Idaho Code Title 54 Chapter 26. Idaho issues individual credentials as Registered Apprentice, Journeyman Plumber, and Plumbing Contractor, plus limited specialty endorsements. All plumbing installations in Idaho are governed by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as adopted by the Board.

Regulatory Oversight

Under Idaho Code Title 54 (Chapters 10 Electrical, 26 Plumbing, 45 Public Works Contractors, 50 HVAC, 52 Idaho Contractor Registration), Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. 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

Who May Apply

To qualify, an applicant must have reached age 18 and hold a valid Social Security Number. No Idaho residency requirement.

Good moral character

DOPL reviews criminal and disciplinary history. Felonies are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Criminal history disclosure required on the application.

Required Experience and Education

Eligibility requires four years and 8,000 hours of plumbing construction work performed as a Registered Apprentice under the direct supervision of an Idaho-licensed Journeyman or Plumbing Contractor, plus completion of an approved 576-hour related classroom training program, documented and independently verifiable. Payroll, tax, project, and supervisor records are the usual proof the board will accept.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Idaho Plumbing Board apprentice hours affidavit signed by the supervising journeyman or contractor
Approved apprenticeship school transcripts (576 classroom hours)
W-2 or payroll records covering the qualifying period

Education substitution

Completion of an Idaho Plumbing Board approved plumbing trade school program may substitute for a portion of the on-the-job hours at the Board's discretion.

Examination Requirements

Idaho Plumbing Board (examinations administered by DOPL) runs the examination for this credential. Issuance is contingent on passing every part below:

Idaho Journeyman Plumber Examination — Uniform Plumbing Code, Idaho plumbing law and rules — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
Idaho Plumbing Contractor Examination — UPC, business, and Idaho law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $60 examination fee per attempt paid to DOPL.

Retake policy: Failed examinations may be retaken by paying a new $60 fee. Candidates who fail three consecutive attempts must complete additional Board-approved training before retesting.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

The cited materials impose no contractor license bond for this credential. Bear in mind that specific contracts, permits, or public works can still require their own bonds.

General liability

Individual journeyman licenses carry no insurance requirement. Plumbing Contractor licenses must maintain general liability insurance per Board rules.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under Idaho Code Title 72 for any plumbing business with employees.

Additional financial requirements

Not required for individual journeyman credentials.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$60
Examination	$60
Initial license	$60
Renewal (every year)	$40

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the Idaho Journeyman Plumber and Plumbing Contractor License comes due every year. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $40. Journeyman and Plumbing Contractor licenses renew annually on the licensee's birthday.

Continuing education: Sixteen hours of Idaho Plumbing Board approved continuing education, including UPC updates, each renewal cycle.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by Idaho for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Montana	Journeyman trade exam waived	Active Montana journeyman plumber in good standing.
Wyoming	Journeyman trade exam waived	Active Wyoming journeyman plumber in good standing.
Utah	Journeyman trade exam waived	Active Utah journeyman plumber in good standing.

Idaho Plumbing Board maintains bilateral reciprocity with several neighboring states for journeyman credentials.

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

Application Process, Step by Step

Register as an Idaho Apprentice Plumber. File the DOPL apprentice registration before starting work. Renew annually.
Complete 8,000 hours and 576 classroom hours. Four years of supervised work plus approved related classroom training.
Submit the Idaho Journeyman Plumber application. Include the hours affidavit and classroom transcripts with the $60 exam fee.
Pass the Journeyman examination at 75%. Uniform Plumbing Code and Idaho law and rules.
Work one year as an Idaho Journeyman. Accumulate journey-level experience before applying for Plumbing Contractor.
Pass the Plumbing Contractor examination at 75%. UPC, business, and Idaho law.
Obtain the Plumbing Contractor license and any Idaho Contractor Registration required for the work. File the DOPL contractor application with insurance proof.

Recommended References

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.

Uniform Plumbing Code (current Idaho-adopted edition) — International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. Primary reference. Open-book on the exam.
Idaho Code Title 54 Chapter 26 and IDAPA 24.39.30 — State of Idaho. Idaho plumbing law and rules.
IAPMO UPC Illustrated Training Manual — IAPMO. Common exam preparation aid.

Frequent Application Errors

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Idaho Plumber filing.

Working unregistered

Performing any plumbing work in Idaho without at least a Registered Apprentice credential is a disciplinary violation.

Skipping classroom hours

576 related classroom hours are mandatory and cannot be waived by additional on-the-job time.

Apprentice registration lapse

Lapsed apprentice registrations invalidate accumulated experience hours.

Operating without the Plumbing Contractor credential

A journeyman may not contract directly with owners. Only a Plumbing Contractor may.

Missing continuing education

16 hours of Board-approved CE per year is mandatory.

Document Checklist

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

☐ Idaho Apprentice Plumber registration before starting work
☐ 8,000 hours of supervised plumbing construction experience
☐ 576 hours of approved related classroom training
☐ Idaho Journeyman Plumber application with $60 fee
☐ Passing score (75%) on the Journeyman examination
☐ Journey-level experience toward Plumbing Contractor eligibility
☐ Passing score (75%) on the Plumbing Contractor examination

Other Idaho Trade Licenses

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

Questions Applicants Ask

Can I do plumbing work in Idaho without a license?

No. All plumbing work requires at least a Registered Apprentice credential and direct supervision by a licensed journeyman or contractor.

Which plumbing code does Idaho use?

The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as adopted by the Idaho Plumbing Board.

How many hours of experience does Idaho require?

Four years and 8,000 hours of supervised experience plus 576 classroom hours.

Does Idaho have reciprocity for plumbers?

Yes. Bilateral agreements exist with Montana, Wyoming, and Utah for journeyman credentials.

How often do Idaho plumber licenses renew?

Every year. Continuing education is required.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-22 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-20