Trade and skilled professions offer good average wages and prospects of becoming independent contractors.
The Idaho department of labor had predicted a healthy 24% growth in the electrical job market. You can also the skilled professionals with an electrician license in Idaho.
Here is our guide for you to become a licensed electrician in Idaho.
State Requirements for Electrician Licensing in Idaho
The electrician licensing issues are handled by the Idaho Division of Building Safety. You can earn a journeyman, master, or contractor’s license in Idaho state. Your first license will be a journeyman electrician’s license, though.
The state requirements for a journeyman electrician licensing are:
- 3 years of work experience – 6000 work hours OR
- 4 years full apprenticeship program
You can also earn a limited journeyman electrician’s license in Idaho. You’ll need only 2 years of experience (6000 hours) for a limited journeyman electrician’s license.
You can earn a Master Electrician License in Idaho with the following requirements:
- Four years of experience as a journeyman electrician.
- Apply for and pass the exam.
- Pay the required fee.
You can then work to earn a contractor’s license as well.
How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Idaho
Like many other states, your first task in Idaho will be to accumulate education and work experience hours.
You can complete a formal education degree, a technical college program, or an apprenticeship to complete these requirements.
Technical College Program
You can join a formal education program in a technical college or trade school. You can enroll in an associate of applied science degree program or diploma.
It will help you to accumulate the required classroom hours initially. You can then find an entry-level job or an apprenticeship program.
You can also seek help from your institute advisory services for finding a job or an apprenticeship opportunity.
Apprenticeship Program
You can join a union-sponsored or non-union apprenticeship program in Idaho. The apprenticeship programs are ideal for many students to gain practical experience.
It will also help you to complete the classroom hour requirements.
The local chapters of IBEW and the NECA arrange the union-sponsored apprenticeship programs in Idaho through the local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs).
The general requirements for an apprenticeship program are:
- Be 18 years old
- High school degree or GED
- Pass an aptitude test
- Reasonable transportation
- Ability to perform physical works
You’ll need a membership of IBEW to obtain these apprenticeship programs.
You can also join a non-union apprenticeship program in Idaho. The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) local chapter arranges these non-union apprenticeship programs in Idaho.
Apply for a Journeyman Electrician License
You can apply for a journeyman electrician license after completing the apprenticeship or technical college program.
The general requirements for a journeyman electrician’s license are:
- At least 6000 hours of work experience in Idaho as an apprentice or trainee.
- Proof of work experience under the supervision of a licensed contractor or master electrician.
- Pass the relevant exam with at least 70% marks.
You can also apply for a specialty journeyman electrician license in Idaho. You’ll require only two years of experience (4000 hours) for a specialty license.
You’ll need to renew your journeyman electrician’s license every three years with 24 hours of continuing education.
Apply for a Master Electrician License
Once you have worked as a journeyman electrician for a few years, you can earn a master electrician license.
A master electrician license will allow you to supervise and undertake the electrical installations, planning, and layout of electrical equipment.
The requirements for a master electrician license in Idaho are:
- Four years of work experience as a licensed journeyman electrician
- Pass the exam with at least 75% marks.
You can apply for the exam with the Idaho Division of Building Safety. Once you pass the exam and submit the experience requirements, you’ll be awarded the master electrician license.
You’ll need to renew the license every three years with 24 hours of continuing education.
Become an Independent Electrical Contractor in Idaho
Once you are an experienced electrician, you can consider becoming a contractor. Your electrical contractor’s license will allow you to undertake electrical projects and hire staff.
For an independent electrical contractor, you’ll need:
- Hold a master electrician license. Or hire a person with a master’s license.
- Pass the exam for the relevant contractor’s category.
- General liability insurance of $300,000 for workers.
There are several contractor categories from a class D to Class AAA and unlimited. Each category allows you to undertake projects up to a certain limit. You can apply for the relevant category exam.
Once you pass the exam with at least 75% marks, you’ll be awarded the electrical contractor’s license. You’ll need to renew the license yearly.