Last updated: March 2026

Idaho is currently experiencing a historic period of growth. From the bustling tech corridors of the Treasure Valley to the expanding residential developments in Coeur d’Alene, the demand for skilled tradespeople—especially electricians—is at an all-time high. Choosing a career as an electrician in the Gem State offers both job security and a pathway to a high-paying, respected profession that literally powers our world.

Whether you are a high school graduate looking for your first career move or seeking a meaningful career change, this guide provides the most current, comprehensive roadmap for becoming a licensed electrician in Idaho.

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The Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) oversees the electrical trade in the state of Idaho. You will be in close contact with this department throughout every phase of your electrician career.

1. Electrical Apprentice: The entry-level phase where you “earn while you learn.”
2. Journeyman Electrician: A fully licensed professional capable of working without direct supervision.
3. Master Electrician: An advanced professional with at least four years of experience as a Journeyman.
4. Electrical Contractor: A business owner or supervisor authorized to pull permits and run a company.

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In Idaho, your journey begins the moment you register as an apprentice. Unlike some states where you must complete school first, Idaho allows you to start working under supervision immediately once you have your apprentice card.

• Age: You must be at least 16 years old.
• Application: Complete the Electrical Apprentice Registration application.
• Fee: $15.00. You must renew it annually, and it costs $15.

You can apply online through the Idaho DOPL Licensing Portal. You will need to provide a notarized application if submitting by mail (see the link above), but the online portal streamlines much of the process. It is vital to keep this registration active; if it lapses, the hours you work during that period will not count toward your journeyman requirements.

Pro Tip: Register early. Do not wait until you find a job. Having your apprentice card in hand makes you much more attractive to potential employers.

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To become a Journeyman, you must complete four years of related instruction (576 total hours). You have three primary routes to achieve this in Idaho.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) partners with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to provide the “gold standard” of training through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC).

• Benefits: Excellent pay scales, comprehensive health benefits, and a pension. VERY competitive!
• JATC Locations:
  • Southwestern Idaho Electrical JATC
  • Eastern Idaho Electrical JATC
  • Inland Empire Electrical Apprenticeship (in Spokane, Washington, but serves northern Idaho)
• Helpful Websites:
  • IBEW Local 291 (Boise)
  • IBEW Local 449 (Pocatello)
  • IBEW Local 73 (Spokane)
  • Electrical Training Alliance

The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) of Idaho offers a similar “earn while you learn” model. This is a popular choice for those working for independent, merit-based shops.

• Benefits: Flexible scheduling and a massive network of private contractors.
• Website: IEC of Idaho.

Idaho’s community college system offers state-approved electrical programs that meet the educational requirements for the DOPL.

• College of Western Idaho (CWI): Offers a highly rated 4-year apprenticeship program.
• North Idaho College (NIC): Serving the Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene areas.
• College of Southern Idaho (CSI): Located in Twin Falls.
• Idaho State University (ISU): Offers an associate degree path in the southeast corner of the state.

NOTE: The state of Idaho lists all of the approved apprenticeship programs for electricians and other trades in this document.

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While you are attending classes, you must also be working in the field. Whatever education path you choose, each organization will be ready to help you land the best job for earning your OJT.

To sit for the Journeyman exam, Idaho requires 8,000 hours of supervised work experience, which usually takes 4 years. While the rules of the state only say you must have been “making electrical installations on the job”, your apprenticeship is sure to cover residential, commercial, and industrial installations.

If you choose not to attend a formal 4-year school, Idaho law allows you to qualify for the Journeyman exam if you can prove you have 16,000 hours (approximately 8 years) of supervised experience. However, this path is much longer and makes the written exam significantly more difficult to pass without the theoretical background provided by schooling.

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Once you have completed your 8,000 hours and your 4 years of schooling, you are eligible to take the Journeyman Electrician Exam. Before scheduling your exam, you will need to log in to DOPL Online Services at edopl.idaho.gov to create a customer account, if you have not already done so.

• Administrator: The exam is administered by PSI Exams.
• Fee: $75
• Format: Open-book, 100 questions, 270 minutes.
• Passing Score: You must achieve a score of at least 75.
• Authorized Materials: You are given two choices for your reference materials
  • The 2020 or 2023 editions of the National Electrical Code
  • OR
  • The 2020 or 2023 editions of the National Electrical Code HANDBOOK and Ugly’s Electrical Reference.
  • You are also allowed to bring these two optional references, if you like:
    • Ferm’s Fast Finder Index
    • Key Word Index by Tom Henry
    • (These are affiliate links, fyi.)

Upon passing, you may now apply to the DOPL for your Journeyman Electrician license through the online portal. The application fee is $15; the Journeyman license is $55. The license is good for 3 years, and the renewal fee is $45.

Once the DOPL receives all required forms, records, results, and fees, it will approve you and issue your license. Congratulations! You are now a licensed electrician who can work unsupervised in the great state of Idaho!

NOTE: You may apply for a Provisional Journeyman Electrician License if you have completed your OTJ hours but not your classroom hours.

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Idaho currently requires 24 hours of Continuing Education over three years. To quote their own rules:

To renew, journeymen and master electricians must provide proof of completion, during the prior three-year license cycle, consisting of sixteen (16) hours of Idaho Electrical Code training and eight (8) hours of any combination of National Electrical Code code-update training, code-related training, industry-related training, or independent study.

Contact the DOPL to request a list of approved CE course providers.

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For many, the Journeyman license is an excellent career and perfectly satisfying. But for others, it’s just the beginning. If you have ambitions to design blueprints or start a business, you will target these advanced licenses.

The Master Electrician License allows the bearer to design, supervise, and install electrical wiring and systems. To qualify, you must hold a Journeyman license for at least four years. After you have the documented experience, you must apply for and pass the Master Electrician exam. Our free NEC practice test is a useful warm-up for either exam, since both lean on fast 2023 NEC lookups.

• Administrator: The exam is administered by PSI Exams.
• Fee: $75
• Format: Open-book, 100 questions, 270 minutes.
• Passing Score: You must achieve a score of at least 75.
• Authorized Materials: You are given two choices for your reference materials
  • The 2020 or 2023 editions of the National Electrical Code
  • OR
  • The 2020 or 2023 editions of the National Electrical Code HANDBOOK and Ugly’s Electrical Reference.
  • You are also allowed to bring these two optional references, if you like:
    • Ferm’s Fast Finder Index
    • Key Word Index by Tom Henry
    • (Still affiliate links.)

Once you’ve passed the exam, you may apply to the DOPL for your Master Electrician License through the online portal, just like the Journeyman license. The application fee is $15; the Master license is $65. The license is good for 3 years, and the renewal fee is $45. Congratulations! You’re now a Master Electrician!

REMEMBER! You have to complete 24 hours of CE over the 3 years your license is active. See the previous section for further details.

An Electrical Contractor is someone who is licensed to operate a business engaged in designing and installing electrical wiring and equipment. As such, you must have a Master Electrician in your employ or be one yourself to act as the “signing party”.

You must pass an exam administered at one of the three DOPL offices in Boise, Blackfoot, or Coeur d’Alene. The application fee is $15; the license fee is $125. The license is good for 1 year and costs $100 to renew.

There are Business Requirements spelled out in section 54-1003A of Title 54, Chapter 10 of the state’s rules and regulations. These include:

• Proof of $300,000 general liability insurance.
• Workers’ Compensation insurance.

Since this license is more business-oriented, it falls outside the scope of this guide. However, hopefully, this gives you a good starting point should you wish to pursue it further.

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One of the greatest benefits of an Idaho license is its portability. Idaho participates in the National Electrical Reciprocity Alliance (NERA).

If you hold a Journeyman license in one of the following states, you may be eligible to obtain an Idaho license without taking the written exam (provided you passed a state-administered exam to get your original license):

• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Wyoming

1. Submit an application to the Idaho DOPL.
2. Provide a Letter of Verification from your home state’s licensing board.
3. Pay the $15 application fee and $55 license fee.

Important Note: Idaho does not recognize reciprocity for licenses obtained via “grandfathering” or through local/city-level exams. The original license must have been obtained through a state-level exam with equivalent requirements.

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Not every electrician in Idaho does “whole house” wiring. There are several specialty categories that require fewer hours to obtain.

• Limited Energy Electrician (Low Voltage): Focuses on fire alarms, data, and security systems. Requires 4,000 hours of experience and 2 years of school.
• HVAC Electrical: Specific to wiring heating and cooling units.
• Sign Electrician: For the installation of electrical signage.
• Elevator/Dumbwaiter Electrician: A highly specialized field.

These specialty licenses are excellent entry points for those who want to specialize in a niche market.

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Becoming an electrician requires hard work, focus, and dedication. It’s a lot of work, but the reward is a “recession-proof” career with high earning potential that is much less vulnerable to AI infiltration. The state is growing—and it needs you to help keep the lights on. So what are you waiting for? Godspeed!