Idaho General Contractor License Requirements
Official classification: General Contractor Registration · Issued by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Contractors Board.
🏗️ General ContractorID ✔ Verified 2026-10-01
In Idaho, general contractors must hold the General Contractor Registration, issued by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Contractors Board, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.
How to become a licensed general contractor in Idaho
Follow these steps to earn your General Contractor Registration. Every figure is verified against the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Contractors Board; full detail for each step is further down the page.
- Build the required experience. No minimum experience requirement
- Confirm exam requirements. Idaho sets no state trade exam for this license, though your city or county may require one.
- Check the insurance rules. Liability: $300,000 single limit. Workers' compensation: Required.
- Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Contractors Board — $120 combined application and initial registration fee (individual or business; DOPL fees effective 2026-07-01) application fee, plus a Included in the $120 application fee license fee.
- Keep the license active. Renewal: Annual or biennial: since October 14, 2025 the Contractors Board has been transitioning to biennial registration, and both renewal options are on its fee table.
For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →
Idaho general contractor license lookup
To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in Idaho — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
License types
- General Contractor — All general construction work exceeding $2,000
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | No minimum experience requirement |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $120 combined application and initial registration fee (individual or business; DOPL fees effective 2026-07-01) |
| License fee | Included in the $120 application fee |
| Renewal fee | $60 annual or $120 biennial; $40 reinstatement fee on top if lapsed |
| Renewal period | Annual or biennial: since October 14, 2025 the Contractors Board has been transitioning to biennial registration, and both renewal options are on its fee table |
| Continuing education | Not required |
| Bond required | None required for the state registration. |
| Liability insurance | $300,000 single limit |
| Property damage | — |
| Workers' comp | Required |
| Background check | — |
| Credit requirement | — |
| Reciprocity | None · other states' agreements |
| Processing time | — |
What an Idaho general contractor license costs
| Application fee | $120 combined application and initial registration fee (individual or business; DOPL fees effective 2026-07-01). |
|---|---|
| License fee | Included in the $120 application fee. |
| Surety bond | None required for the state registration. |
| Renewal fee | $60 annual or $120 biennial; $40 reinstatement fee on top if lapsed. |
| Renewal period | Annual or biennial: since October 14, 2025 the Contractors Board has been transitioning to biennial registration, and both renewal options are on its fee table. |
Exams
No state trade exam is required — the General Contractor Registration is a registration, not an examined license. Local jurisdictions may set their own exam requirements.
Renewing an Idaho general contractor license
The General Contractor Registration renews on a fixed cycle set by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Contractors Board. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.
| Renewal period | Annual or biennial: since October 14, 2025 the Contractors Board has been transitioning to biennial registration, and both renewal options are on its fee table |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | $60 annual or $120 biennial; $40 reinstatement fee on top if lapsed |
| Continuing education | Not required |
| Where to renew | Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Contractors Board |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Idaho general contractor license cost?
Application: $120 combined application and initial registration fee (individual or business; DOPL fees effective 2026-07-01). License: Included in the $120 application fee. Renewal: $60 annual or $120 biennial; $40 reinstatement fee on top if lapsed.
How do I look up a general contractor license in Idaho?
Search the official license database at dopl.idaho.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
Do general contractors in Idaho need a surety bond?
None required for the state registration.
What experience is required for an Idaho general contractor license?
No minimum experience requirement
Is insurance required for general contractors in Idaho?
Liability: $300,000 single limit. Workers' compensation: Required.
How often must an Idaho general contractor license be renewed?
Annual or biennial: since October 14, 2025 the Contractors Board has been transitioning to biennial registration, and both renewal options are on its fee table.
Official sources
dopl.idaho.gov/con
legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title54/t54ch52
dopl.idaho.gov/license-search
dopl.idaho.gov/con/con-faq