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How to get a Plumbing Journeyman certificate in Idaho

Idaho licenses plumbers statewide through the State Plumbing Board.1 For the Plumbing Journeyman (certificate of competency) you need at least 576 clock hours1 of education, at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1 and a passing score on the IAPMO plumbing journeyman exam (through PSI)2. The board lists $22.50 for the application3. You renew every 3 years4.

Last checked · 15 official sources

Who issues it

State Plumbing Board

Training and experience

Training: at least 576 clock hours1
Experience: at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1

Exam

IAPMO plumbing journeyman exam (through PSI)2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $22.503

Renewal

Every 3 years4

From another state

Universal license recognition5 Details

On this page
  1. Idaho plumber licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Plumbing Journeyman certificate
  4. Requirements for a Plumbing Journeyman certificate
  5. How to apply
  6. Renewal and continuing education
  7. Apprentice Plumber registration
  8. Specialty Apprentice registration
  9. Specialty Journeyman
  10. Plumbing Contractor certificate
  11. Specialty Contractor
  12. City and county rules
  13. Check a license or report a problem
  14. Laws and rules
  15. Common questions
  16. Plumber licenses in other states

Idaho plumber licenses

Idaho issues 6 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Apprentice Plumber (registration)Learns and assists with plumbing installations; may only work under a journeyman's supervision.6–No3$503
Specialty Apprentice (registration)Learns and assists with specialty (appliance or water pump) work under a specialty journeyman, employed by a licensed contractor.6–No3$303
Plumbing Journeyman (certificate of competency)Installs, extends and alters plumbing systems while employed by and working under the direction of a plumbing contractor.6Training 576 clock hours1
Experience 8,000 hours1		Yes1$22.503
Specialty Journeyman (Appliance or Water Pump specialty)Two specialties: Appliance (1-2 family homes: disconnect, cap, remove and reinstall water heaters, treatment devices etc. within 60 inches of original location; no backflow devices or DWV changes) and Water Pump (pump-to-pressure-tank water piping in 1-2 family homes).1Training 72 clock hours1
Experience 3,000 hours1		Yes1$22.503
Plumbing Contractor (certificate of competency)Plans, supervises and contracts plumbing work and directs qualified employees; a contractor who does the work personally must also qualify as a journeyman or employ one on every job.6–Yes1$22.503
Specialty Contractor (plumbing specialty certificate of competency)Contracts for work within a plumbing specialty (appliance or water pump); one who works personally must also hold the specialty journeyman certificate or employ one.6–Yes1$22.503

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Idaho plumber licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 6)

How to apply

Apply online
edopl.idaho.gov2

Renewal

Renew online
edopl.idaho.gov2

2. Every license level except Apprentice Plumber (registration)

Renewal

How often
Every 3 years47

3. Every license level except Apprentice Plumber (registration) and Specialty Apprentice (registration)

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Application fee$22.503State Plumbing Board

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI8, when you schedule.

Renewal

When it expires
Valid three years from issue; renew during the month before expiry.4

From another state

Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
Idaho's universal licensure law: a person with a current, valid, unrestricted license in another state who shows competency (the board may require all or part of its exam) can be licensed, paying the standard fees and passing the same background checks.5
Conditions
The board may require all or part of the Idaho exam to show competence; no jurisprudence exam may be created.5

Military service members, veterans and spouses: DOPL offers service members, veterans and spouses expedited processing and credit for relevant military training (Idaho Code 67-9401 to 67-9407); active members may get renewal fee and requirement waivers (67-2606).9

4. Plumbing Journeyman (certificate of competency) and Specialty Journeyman (Appliance or Water Pump specialty)

Renewal

If it expires
A lapsed certificate can be revived within two years without exam by paying the full initial fee.4

5. Apprentice Plumber (registration) and Specialty Apprentice (registration)

Requirements

Exam
Not required3

Renewal

If it expires
A lapsed registration may be revived within one year by paying the renewal fee.7

6. Plumbing Contractor (certificate of competency) and Specialty Contractor (plumbing specialty certificate of competency)

Requirements

Exam
Contractor exam designated by the Board (through PSI)1
Given by: PSI8
Retakes: Retake at the next exam on paying the fee; after a second failure the board may require a one-year wait.3
Surety bond
$2,0001
Business requirements
A contractor certificate may represent only one person or entity; changes must be reported to DOPL immediately.1
Business requirements
Contractors must display the DOPL sign/card at their place of business and put the certificate number in advertising.10

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Inactive license fee$364State Plumbing BoardInactive renewal (cap)
Processing fee of thirty dollars$304State Plumbing BoardInactive to active conversion

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Pass the board-designated contractor exam through PSI.8 test-takers.psiexams.com8
  2. Get a $2,000 compliance bond and apply in eDOPL with the application and license fees.8 edopl.idaho.gov2

Renewal

If it expires
A lapsed certificate can be revived within two years without exam by paying the full initial fee.4
Proof of a renewed $2,000 compliance bond is needed to renew or revive.1

Who needs a Plumbing Journeyman certificate

Installs, extends and alters plumbing systems while employed by and working under the direction of a plumbing contractor.6

Work that does not need this license:

  • Farm buildings outside city limits (unless connected to public water/sewer), logging/mining/construction camps, rural industrial process piping, in-house maintenance plumbers of an employer, and sewer/excavating/utility contractors working outside building foundation walls are exempt from certificate requirements.11

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Owners (or contract purchasers) doing plumbing on their own single-family or duplex dwelling, accessory buildings and grounds, following state plumbing standards; they still need a permit.11
  • Licensed HVAC contractors may install gas piping, hydronic piping and certain boilers; licensed HVAC or electrical licensees may wire a water heater within limits.11
  • Civil penalty up to $1,000 per count for plumbing without an active certificate or registration.1

Requirements for a Plumbing Journeyman certificate

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training
At least 576 clock hours1
576 hours of a board-approved course of instruction (with 8,000 hours as an apprentice), or no classes on the 16,000-hour experience route.1
Who may teach it: Board-approved apprenticeship programs (DOPL list: colleges, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, private providers and joint apprenticeship committees).12
Alternative: 16,000 hours of plumbing experience instead of the 576-hour course plus 8,000 hours.1
Experience
At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1
8,000 hours as an apprentice making plumbing installations (with the 576-hour course), or 16,000 hours of plumbing experience. Pipe-fitting and appliance specialty work does not count.1
Supervision: Apprentices may only work under a journeyman's supervision.6
Substitute: 16,000 hours of plumbing experience (no course).2
Exam
IAPMO plumbing journeyman exam (through PSI)2
Given by: PSI8
When you can take it: After finishing the 576-hour course or 16,000 hours of experience.1
Retakes: Retake at the next scheduled exam on paying the exam fee; after a second failure the board may require a one-year wait.3
Time limit: Exam applications expire after one year if the applicant does not sit for the exam.13
Also required
Journeymen must carry their certificate or keep it near the work site.10

How to apply

  1. Get the required work experience (and, for the 8,000-hour route, board-approved classes) while registered as an apprentice.2
  2. Register with PSI and pass the IAPMO plumbing exam.2 test-takers.psiexams.com8
  3. After passing, create an eDOPL account and apply for the certificate, paying the application and initial license fees.8 edopl.idaho.gov2

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Idaho Plumbing Journeyman (certificate of competency). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Apprentice Plumber registration

Learns and assists with plumbing installations; may only work under a journeyman's supervision.6

Requirements

Also required
Registration must be kept active for the whole time experience is being earned.3

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$503State Plumbing Board5 years term

How to apply

  1. Find work with a plumbing contractor or a board-approved apprenticeship program (journeyman supervision required).6
  2. Register as an apprentice through eDOPL and pay the registration fee; keep it active while earning hours.1 edopl.idaho.gov2

Renewal

How often
Every 5 years7
When it expires
Valid five years, expiring on the last day of the month; renew in the month before expiry.7
Renewal fee
$5014

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Specialty Apprentice registration

Learns and assists with specialty (appliance or water pump) work under a specialty journeyman, employed by a licensed contractor.6

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$303State Plumbing Board3 years term

How to apply

  1. Get hired by a licensed contractor and register as a specialty apprentice in eDOPL; keep the registration active.1 edopl.idaho.gov2

Renewal

Renewal fee
$3014

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Specialty Journeyman

Two specialties: Appliance (1-2 family homes: disconnect, cap, remove and reinstall water heaters, treatment devices etc. within 60 inches of original location; no backflow devices or DWV changes) and Water Pump (pump-to-pressure-tank water piping in 1-2 family homes).1

Requirements

Education or training
At least 72 clock hours1
Appliance specialty: 72 hours of board-approved specialty training classes with 3,000 hours of apprentice OJT (or 6,000 hours experience instead). Water Pump specialty: no classes required.1
Alternative: Appliance: 6,000 hours of specialty-related work experience instead.1
Experience
At least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training1
Appliance: 3,000 hours apprentice OJT plus 72 hours classes, or 6,000 hours. Water Pump: 3,000 hours specialty-related experience.1
Supervision: Specialty apprentices work only under a specialty journeyman and must be employed by a licensed contractor.6
Exam
Specialty journeyman exam designated by the Board (through PSI)1
Given by: PSI8
Retakes: Retake at the next scheduled exam on paying the exam fee; after a second failure the board may require a one-year wait.3
Time limit: Exam applications expire after one year if the applicant does not sit for the exam.13

How to apply

  1. Earn the specialty hours (and Appliance classes) while registered as a specialty apprentice with a licensed contractor.1
  2. Pass the board-designated specialty exam through PSI.8
  3. Apply in eDOPL and pay the application and license fees.8 edopl.idaho.gov2

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Plumbing Contractor certificate

Plans, supervises and contracts plumbing work and directs qualified employees; a contractor who does the work personally must also qualify as a journeyman or employ one on every job.6

Requirements

Experience
Must hold the Idaho plumbing journeyman certificate.1
License you must hold first: Idaho plumbing journeyman certificate1

How to apply

  1. Hold the Idaho plumbing journeyman certificate.1
Temporary or provisional license
If a plumbing contractor dies or is incapacitated, a journeyman may get a temporary contractor certificate for up to 90 days (renewable once) to represent the firm; no new permits or new work.4

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Specialty Contractor

Contracts for work within a plumbing specialty (appliance or water pump); one who works personally must also hold the specialty journeyman certificate or employ one.6

Requirements

Experience
Must hold the relevant specialty journeyman certificate.1
License you must hold first: Relevant specialty journeyman certificate1

How to apply

  1. Hold the relevant specialty journeyman certificate.1

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Apprentice Plumber (registration)Idaho plumbing certificates are state-issued; cities such as Boise issue plumbing permits and inspect, and a hired contractor must pull its own permit.15

City or countyWhat it requiresLink
BoiseBoise Planning & Development Services issues plumbing permits; the applicant is either the homeowner doing the work or a licensed contractor.15Official page15

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a plumber in Idaho, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Idaho is on the Idaho license lookup page.

Look up a license
edopl.idaho.gov14
File a complaint
edopl.idaho.gov14

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Plumbing Journeyman certificate in Idaho?

The rules set at least 576 clock hours1 and at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my plumber license to Idaho?

The State Plumbing Board publishes this route for the Plumbing Journeyman certificate: universal license recognition5. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Plumbing Journeyman certificate in Idaho?

Every 3 years4.

Plumber licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. IDAPA 24.39.20 Rules Governing PlumbingIdaho Office of the Administrative Rules CoordinatorChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Apply for or Renew a LicenseIdaho Division of Occupational and Professional LicensesChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Idaho Code 54-2614Idaho LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Idaho Code 54-2617Idaho LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  5. legislature.idaho.govIdaho LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Idaho Code 54-2611Idaho LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  7. Idaho Code 54-2614AIdaho LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Program Information and ExamsIdaho Division of Occupational and Professional LicensesChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Military Service Members & SpousesIdaho Division of Occupational and Professional LicensesChecked November 7, 2026
  10. Idaho Code 54-2618Idaho LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  11. Idaho Code 54-2602Idaho LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  12. Board Approved Apprentice ProgramsIdaho Division of Occupational and Professional LicensesChecked November 7, 2026
  13. Idaho Code 54-2613Idaho LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  14. State Plumbing BoardIdaho Division of Occupational and Professional LicensesChecked November 7, 2026
  15. Plumbing permit applicationCity of BoiseChecked November 7, 2026