Skip to content
CLR

Idaho Solar License Requirements (2026)

Gabriel Giner

By Gabriel Giner, Editor  ·  Reviewed 2026-05-26  ·  CLR Editorial Review Desk

Idaho is one of the few states with a dedicated PV path inside its electrical board. The DOPL Electrical Board (Idaho Code §54-10, IDAPA 24.39.10) offers two routes: a full Electrical Contractor license with a Master Electrician qualifying party, OR the Limited Electrical Contractor — Solar Photovoltaic / Limited Electrical Installer — Solar Photovoltaic specialty, which requires NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification and a passing exam but skips the full Master Electrician path. Idaho also requires Public Works Contractor Registration for public projects. Solar thermal hot water needs an Idaho Master Plumber.

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

An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No Idaho residency requirement.

Good moral character

DOPL reviews criminal history.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience & Education Matrix

Eligibility requires two years as an Idaho Journeyman Electrician on top of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship, 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 affidavits signed by Idaho Master Electricians
  • Certified payroll covering the qualifying period
  • ID-registered apprenticeship completion certificate

Education substitution

ID-registered apprenticeship satisfies the apprenticeship hours.

Examination Structure

PSI Services LLC (under contract to DOPL) runs the examination for this credential. Issuance is contingent on passing every part below:

  • Idaho Master Electrician Examination — NEC, ID amendments, business and law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $80 examination fee.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken 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

DOPL requires $300,000 commercial general liability minimum.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under Idaho Code §72-102 for any business with employees.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Application and License Fees

Fee Amount
Application (non-refundable)$120
Examination$80
Initial license$120
Renewal (every 3 years)$120

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses Electrical Contractor License every 3 years. Renewal currently costs $120. Idaho Electrical Contractor licenses renew every three years.

Continuing education: Twenty-four hours of DOPL-approved CE every three years.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Idaho Solar 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
Montana Trade exam waived Limited reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
Oregon Trade exam waived Limited reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
Wyoming Trade exam waived Limited reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).

Idaho DOPL maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with several neighboring states.

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

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

  1. Complete an ID electrical apprenticeship. 8,000 hours under an ID Master Electrician.
  2. Pass the Journeyman Electrician exam. Prerequisite to the Master credential.
  3. Document two years as a Journeyman. Required for the Master Electrician exam.
  4. Pass the Master Electrician exam at 75%. PSI administers the exam.
  5. Apply for the Electrical Contractor license. Designate the Master Electrician as the qualifying party.
  6. File the certificate of insurance. $300K CGL minimum.
  7. Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each ID jurisdiction requires local permits.

Common Filing Mistakes

Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a Idaho Solar application.

Missing the 24-hour CE

Mandatory every three years.

Letting workers compensation lapse

Mandatory for any business with employees.

Forgetting solar thermal is plumbing

Solar hot water requires the Master Plumber license.

Skipping local permits

State licensure does not exempt you from county permits.

Missing the Solar PV specialty path

DOPL offers a Limited Electrical Contractor / Installer — Solar Photovoltaic license that uses NABCEP plus an exam instead of the full Master Electrician track. Most pure-PV outfits qualify under this faster route.

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.

  • NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
  • Idaho Code §54-10 — State of Idaho. Statutory framework.
  • PSI Idaho Master Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Pre-Submission Checklist

These are the pieces to lock down before filing with DOPL:

  • ☐  8,000 hours of electrical apprenticeship
  • ☐  Idaho Journeyman Electrician credential
  • ☐  Two years as a Journeyman
  • ☐  Master Electrician examination pass
  • ☐  DOPL Electrical Contractor license
  • ☐  $300K commercial general liability insurance
  • ☐  Workers' compensation coverage

Other Idaho Trade Licenses

If the Solar license is not the right fit, the following published Idaho trade guides are also covered by CLR:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Idaho have a solar license?

No. Solar PV is regulated as electrical work under the Master Electrician license.

Is NABCEP required?

Required if you go the Limited Electrical Installer / Contractor — Solar Photovoltaic specialty route. Voluntary if you take the full Master Electrician path.

How many hours does Idaho require?

8,000 hours of apprenticeship plus two years as a Journeyman.

What about solar thermal?

Solar hot water requires an Idaho Master Plumber license.

Does Idaho reciprocate?

Yes. DOPL maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming.

Primary Sources

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

  1. Idaho DOPL
  2. Idaho Contractors Board (Public Works)
  3. Idaho Contractor Registration
  4. Idaho Electrical Board
  5. Idaho Plumbing Board
  6. Idaho HVAC Board
  7. Idaho Code Title 54
  8. NABCEP Certifications

Verified 2026-05-26  ·  Next scheduled review 2026-08-24