If you work as an electrician in Idaho, you must have an Idaho electrical license. The licensing process is overseen by the Idaho Division of Building Safety.

Electrical Licensing in Idaho

Apprentices

Apprentice electricians in Idaho are not licensed but must be registered with the state. To register, you must be at least 16 years old and submit a notarized application. Previous experience as a journeyman or master electrician in any recognized jurisdiction disqualifies you from registering as an apprentice.

There are five electrical apprenticeship levels:

• Apprentice: First-time registration
• Apprentice Level 1: Completed 2,000 hours of work and a year's worth of training at an approved electrical apprentice school
• Apprentice Level 2: Completed 4,000 hours of work and two years worth of training at an approved electrical apprentice school
• Apprentice Level 3: Completed 6,000 hours of work and three years worth of training at an approved electrical apprentice school
• Apprentice Level 4: Completed 8,000 hours of work and four years worth of training at an approved electrical apprentice school

Registration is valid for one year and costs $15. All work hours must be completed under the supervision of an Idaho licensed journeyman electrician.

Journeymen Electricians, Master Electricians, and Electrical Contractors

Idaho offers three classifications for electrical contractor licenses:

Journeyman Electrician: To qualify, you must pass an examination. There are three ways to qualify for the exam:

• Complete four years of training at an approved electrical apprentice school and 8,000 hours of supervised work experience
• Complete 16,000 hours or more of supervised work experience as an apprentice
• In-state apprentices may complete four years of training at an approved electrical apprentice school and 6,000 hours of supervised work experience, but they will need to work an additional 2,000 hours after passing the exam to be licensed as journeymen

The examination consists of 80 multiple choice questions, and you have four hours to complete it. The passing grade is 70%.

Master Electrician: To qualify, you must pass an examination. In-state candidates are eligible after holding a Journeyman Electrical license for at least four years. Out-of-state candidates must pass the Idaho Journeyman Electrical exam before sitting for the Idaho Master Electrician exam. Electricians from states without licensing requirements are not eligible for the Idaho Master Electrician examination.

The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions, and you have five hours to complete it. A passing score is 75%.

Electrical Contractor: If you own or work in a business that offers electrical contracting services, you must hold an Electrical Contractor license. If you are not a Master Electrician, your business must employ at least one full-time Master Electrician.

The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions, and you have two hours to complete it. The questions focus on contractors' business law. A passing score is 70%. Proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation is required before receiving the license.

Specialty Licenses

Specialty licenses allow licensees to perform specialized work under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor. Trainees do not need to be licensed but must register with the Idaho Division of Building Safety.

Limited Electrical Installers, equivalent to journeymen, must pass an examination in their field. To qualify for the exam, they need 4,000 hours of work experience in that field. Linemen applying for a Limited Electrical Installer license do not need to take the test; they must only show graduation from an approved Electrical Lineman apprenticeship program.

Limited Electrical Contractors must pass an examination and either be or employ a Limited Electrical Installer in the same category. Proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation is required after passing the exam.

Union Electricians in Idaho

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents union electricians in Idaho.

Dues are deducted from workers' paychecks and are calculated as a percentage of gross wages.

In 2018, union members in Idaho accounted for only 4.7 percent of the workforce. Despite this, there are significant advantages to joining the union.

• Union shops offer higher wages compared to non-union shops.
• Union jobs provide better benefits, including pensions upon retirement.
• Healthcare coverage for IBEW members usually covers a higher percentage of medical costs.
• Unions are proactive in protecting workers against job hazards.

When pursuing a career in electrical work in Idaho, there are several resources and strategies that can be helpful:

• Affiliations with the electricians' union can provide excellent networking opportunities. Additionally, joining professional organizations like the National Electrical Contractors Association and the Independent Electrical Contractors Association can also lead to employment opportunities.
• Utilize online platforms like LinkedIn to explore job leads and connect with potential employers in the electrical industry.
• Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers can generate inquiries and potential job opportunities.
• During pre-employment interviews, it is likely that hiring managers will focus on your project resume, so be sure to highlight relevant experiences and skills.

In Idaho, as an electrical contractor or limited electrical contractor, it is mandatory by law to have liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If you own a business, it is advisable to have commercial property insurance to safeguard valuable assets such as vehicles and equipment from theft. If you are employed by an electrical contractor or a limited electrical contractor, you will be covered under their insurance.

In Idaho, property owners are seeking ways to reduce expensive utility bills. Therefore, energy-efficient construction with a focus on high-performance lighting systems has become increasingly popular. To stay up to date with the latest trends, you have the opportunity to attend two major trade shows in nearby Nevada. For more information, you can visit the electrical trade shows website.

Here is some helpful information about electrical licensing in Idaho:

• Idaho has reciprocity agreements for journeyman electrician licensing with the following states: Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
• Utah and Wyoming also have reciprocity agreements with Idaho specifically for the master electrician license.

If you are an electrical professional in Idaho, this means that you may be eligible for reciprocity in these states, allowing you to work as a journeyman electrician without having to pass additional exams or meet additional requirements.

Additionally, if you hold a master electrician license in either Utah or Wyoming, you can apply for reciprocity in Idaho, enabling you to work as a master electrician in the state without having to go through the entire licensing process.

This information should be helpful for those seeking to expand their electrical profession across state lines or for those looking to hire electrical professionals who hold licenses from these reciprocity states.

In the state of Idaho, anyone working in the electrical field must renew their license every three years. The renewal fees vary depending on the type of license:

• Journeyman Electrical License: $55
• Master Electrician License: $65
• Electrical Contractor License: $100

In addition to the renewal fees, there is also a continuing education requirement for Journeymen electricians and master electricians. They must complete:

• 16 hours of code updates
• 8 hours of other industry-related classes