Idaho HVAC License Renewal

At a glance

Who needs it

Anyone engaging in the business, trade, practice or work of HVAC in Idaho needs a state certificate of competency (apprentices register instead), unless an exception applies (such as an owner installing or maintaining HVAC in their own single or duplex family dwelling). Classes are HVAC contractor, journeyman and apprentice, with specialty and limited heating specialty contractor, journeyman and apprentice classes

Journeymen and apprentices

A journeyman works in the employ and under the direction of an HVAC contractor. An apprentice works only under the supervision of an HVAC journeyman or HVAC contractor (specialty classes may also work under a specialty journeyman or contractor), and registers with DOPL for the whole time they're accruing work experience

Renews every

3 years for contractor and journeyman licenses, specialty and limited heating specialty ones included, as DOPL's fee table lists them. Check the expiration date on your license or DOPL's license search

Two-year transition

From October 30, 2026 DOPL moves the HVAC Board to two-year licenses. DOPL's transition FAQ says only licenses shorter than two years are affected (DOPL's fee table lists the apprentice registration at 1 year), that their renewal fee doubles once they move, and that a license valid for more than two years isn't affected. DOPL's notice also says the board's licenses will ultimately expire on the licensee's birthday: check the expiration date DOPL shows when you renew

Renewal fee

$150 for a contractor, specialty contractor or limited heating specialty contractor; $75 for a journeyman, specialty journeyman or limited heating specialty journeyman; $20 for a specialty or limited heating specialty apprentice. For a plain apprentice registration, check the fee DOPL shows when you renew (see the notes)

Renew

Online through DOPL's online services (Apply for or Renew a License on the HVAC Board page): log in to your online profile, choose Renew on the license in the Summary tab, update your information, answer the renewal questions, then pay by credit card or eCheck. Your license's Issued and Expires dates update once the payment goes through

Late renewal

An expired certificate can be revived within one year from the first day of the final month of the certification period by paying a revival fee in addition to the full renewal fee, along with any outstanding civil penalties, permits or other fees

Continuing education

None: DOPL states there are no continuing education requirements for HVAC

Bond

Contractors and specialty contractors: a $2,000 compliance bond (or evidence of coverage by a corporate industry group bond acceptable to the board), effective for the whole certificate period

On the job

Contractors display a sign or card for public view at their place of business. Journeymen and apprentices have their certificate of competency or registration card available at all times while on the job

Advertising

Advertising HVAC contracting without a current contractor certificate of competency, or without its certificate number in the ad, can bring a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per offense

Reciprocity

None: DOPL says Idaho has no reciprocal licensing agreement for HVAC

Contact

DOPL, 11341 W. Chinden Blvd., Building 4, Boise, ID 83714. BCRE-Licensing@dopl.idaho.gov or (208) 334-3233, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, except state holidays

When a certificate expires: Idaho Code 54-5013 says 24 calendar months from the date of issue, or the last day of the month of the certification period, 54-5012 lets a certificate be issued at the annual rate for up to three years, and DOPL's fee table lists 3 years. Go by the expiration date on your license.

How early you can renew: DOPL and Idaho Code 54-5013 say within 60 days before the expiration date, while Idaho Code 67-2614, DOPL's general renewal law, says up to six weeks before. Renewing within six weeks of the date fits both.

Revival fee: Idaho Code 54-5013 sets a $35 revival fee on top of the full renewal fee, while DOPL's fee table lists a reinstatement fee of $225 for contractors and $150 for journeymen, so this guide gives neither. Pay the amount DOPL shows when you revive.

Apprentice registrations: DOPL's fee table lists a 1-year term and a $10 renewal, while Idaho Code 54-5012 says two years, expiring on the apprentice's birthday, with a $20 registration fee. DOPL's two-year transition moves registrations shorter than two years to two years. Check the date on the registration.

Idaho Code 54-5010 has the board set continuing education by rule, but the board's current rules (IDAPA 24.39.70) set none and DOPL's FAQ says there are no CE requirements for HVAC.

How to renew

1. Look up your license on DOPL's license search to confirm its expiration date: DOPL's fee table lists contractor and journeyman licenses at 3 years.
2. Contractors and specialty contractors: make sure your $2,000 compliance bond stays in force for the whole new certificate period.
3. Renew online through DOPL's online services and pay the fee: $150 for a contractor license, $75 for a journeyman license. No CE certificates are needed.
4. Missed it? An expired certificate can be revived within one year from the first day of the certificate's final month by paying a revival fee on top of the full renewal fee.
5. Check your apprentices' registrations too: DOPL moves registrations shorter than two years to a two-year cycle, starting with renewals from October 30, 2026.

Deadline checklist

• 90 days outLook up your license on DOPL's license search to confirm its expiration date. There's no CE to finish.
• 45 days outContractors: confirm your $2,000 compliance bond will stay in force for the whole new certificate period.
• Six weeks outRenew online through DOPL's online services and pay $150 for a contractor license or $75 for a journeyman license.
• Expiration dateMissed it? The certificate can be revived within one year from the first day of the certificate's final month by paying a revival fee on top of the full renewal fee.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

Frequently asked questions