Step-by-Step
Verifying a Contractor's License in Idaho
Idaho's Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) manages all trade licenses. DOPL replaced the former Division of Building Safety (DBS) and consolidated licensing into a single, searchable database. Verification is free and takes under a minute.
How to Look Up a License
- Go to the Idaho DOPL Licensee Search
- Select the license type (Plumbing, HVAC/R, Electrical, etc.)
- Enter the contractor's last name, business name, or license number
- Review the results:
- - Active: License is current and in good standing
- - Expired: License has lapsed -- the contractor cannot legally perform work
- - Suspended/Revoked: License was taken away due to violations
- Note the license level (apprentice, journeyman, master, or contractor) -- this determines what work they can legally perform
If a contractor isn't in the DOPL database, they're either not licensed or gave you a false name. Either way, do not hire them for plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work in your Idaho home.
Idaho License Types by Trade
Each trade has its own license structure. Here's what the levels mean and what each license holder can do:
Plumbing Licenses
- Apprentice Plumber: Learning the trade under supervision. Cannot work alone. Typically a 4-year program.
- Journeyman Plumber: Completed apprenticeship and passed the state exam. Can work independently on all residential plumbing. This is the minimum level for solo residential work.
- Master Plumber: Additional experience beyond journeyman. Can pull permits, supervise apprentices, and operate a plumbing business.
- Plumbing Contractor: Business license that allows a company to offer plumbing services, employ plumbers, and pull permits.
HVAC/R Licenses
- Apprentice HVAC/R: Training under a licensed journeyman or contractor. Cannot work unsupervised.
- Journeyman HVAC/R: Completed training hours and passed the state exam. Can independently install, repair, and maintain heating, ventilation, AC, and refrigeration systems.
- HVAC/R Contractor: Can operate an HVAC business, pull permits, and supervise other technicians.
- EPA 608 Certification: A separate federal certification required for anyone handling refrigerants. Not issued by Idaho but required by federal law.
Electrical Licenses
- Apprentice Electrician: Completing 8,000+ hours of supervised training. Cannot work independently.
- Journeyman Electrician: Passed the state exam after completing apprenticeship. Can work independently on all types of electrical projects.
- Master Electrician: Advanced license with additional experience. Can design electrical systems, pull permits, supervise journeymen, and run a contracting business.
- Electrical Contractor: Business license to offer electrical services and employ electricians.
What If a Contractor Isn't Licensed?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor for plumbing, HVAC, or electrical work in Idaho is a serious risk:
- Insurance claims denied: Your homeowner's insurance may refuse to cover damage caused by unlicensed work. Water damage from bad plumbing, a house fire from faulty wiring -- if the work wasn't done by a licensed contractor, your claim may be rejected.
- Home sale complications: Unpermitted work shows up during buyer inspections. Buyers can demand you hire a licensed contractor to redo the work, negotiate a lower price, or walk away entirely.
- No legal recourse: If an unlicensed contractor does defective work, your legal options are limited. Licensed contractors can be reported to DOPL, which has enforcement authority. Unlicensed operators are harder to hold accountable.
- Safety hazards: Unlicensed work is the leading cause of residential electrical fires and plumbing failures. Licensed contractors have proven their knowledge through supervised training and state testing.
To report an unlicensed contractor, contact DOPL at (208) 334-3233 or file a complaint online at dopl.idaho.gov.
Why Treasure Valley Trades Only Lists Licensed Contractors
Every contractor on our platform has been verified through the following process:
- DOPL license verified: We confirm every contractor holds an active Idaho license at the appropriate level for their trade.
- Insurance confirmed: Minimum $500,000 general liability insurance with current certificate on file.
- Reviews checked: Maintained 4.0+ star average across Google and major review platforms.
- Ongoing monitoring: We re-verify licenses and insurance on a regular cycle to ensure continued compliance.
When you use Treasure Valley Trades, the vetting is already done. But we encourage you to verify any contractor independently -- the information is public and free.