Idaho Plumber License Renewal (DOPL)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 3 min read

Idaho plumbers are licensed by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) for the State Plumbing Board with a certificate of competency: contractor, journeyman and the matching specialty classes. Certificates last three years. There's no master plumber license in Idaho, and DOPL says there are no continuing education requirements for plumbing. Contractors keep a $2,000 compliance bond in force for the whole certificate period and show it was renewed to renew. A certificate that lapses can be revived within two years without an exam by paying the full initial fee.

At a glance

Who needs it: Anyone doing plumbing work in Idaho, unless an exception applies (such as an owner working on their own single or duplex family dwelling). Classes are plumbing contractor, journeyman and apprentice, with matching specialty contractor, specialty journeyman and specialty apprentice classes. Idaho has no master plumber license
Contractors: A plumbing contractor must hold a journeyman certificate and pass the contractor exam
Renews every: 3 years: certificates of competency are issued for three years. Check the expiration date on your certificate or DOPL's license search
Renew: Online through DOPL's online services (Apply for or Renew a License on the State Plumbing Board page)
Late renewal: A certificate not renewed in time lapses, but it can be revived within two years without examination by paying the full initial fee
Continuing education: None: DOPL states there are no continuing education requirements for plumbing
Bond: Contractors and specialty contractors: a $2,000 compliance bond, effective for the whole certificate period. Proof the bond was renewed is required to renew or revive the certificate
Apprentices: Apprentice registrations last 5 years and specialty apprentice registrations 3 years. The fee is $50 per renewal for apprentices and $30 for specialty apprentices. A lapsed registration can be revived within one year by paying the renewal fee
Inactive contractor: A contractor not contracting in Idaho can renew on an inactive basis and can't contract while inactive. Going active again takes a $30 processing fee and a $2,000 compliance bond

When a certificate expires: Idaho Code 54-2617 says three years from the date of issue, while Idaho Code 67-2614, DOPL's general renewal law, says individuals renew on or before their birthday. Go by the date on your certificate.

Renewal fees: DOPL's fee table and the amounts printed in Idaho Code 54-2616 differ, so this guide gives neither for contractors and journeymen. Pay the fee DOPL shows when you renew.

Idaho Code 54-2617 still mentions continuing education set by the board, but the board's current rules (IDAPA 24.39.20) set none and DOPL's FAQ says there are no CE requirements for plumbing.

How to renew

Look up your certificate on DOPL's license search to confirm its expiration date: certificates are issued for three years.
Contractors: renew your $2,000 compliance bond so it covers the whole new certificate period, and keep the proof: DOPL needs it to renew.
Renew online through DOPL's online services and pay the renewal fee DOPL shows. No CE certificates are needed.
Missed it? A lapsed certificate can be revived within two years without an exam by paying the full initial fee.
Check your apprentices' registrations too: 5 years for apprentices, 3 for specialty apprentices.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outLook up your certificate on DOPL's license search to confirm its expiration date. There's no CE to finish.
45 days outContractors: renew your $2,000 compliance bond for the new certificate period and keep the proof.
Final monthRenew online through DOPL's online services and pay the renewal fee DOPL shows.
Expiration dateMissed it? The certificate lapses, but can be revived within two years by paying the full initial 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

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Contractors: your $2,000 compliance bond, since proof it was renewed is needed to renew the certificate
Your apprentices' registrations (5 years, or 3 for specialty apprentices)
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do you renew an Idaho plumbing license?

Every 3 years: certificates of competency are issued for three years. Check the expiration date on your certificate or DOPL's license search.

Does Idaho require continuing education for plumbers?

No. DOPL states there are no continuing education requirements for plumbing.

Is there a master plumber license in Idaho?

No. Idaho's classes are plumbing contractor, journeyman and apprentice, with matching specialty classes. A plumbing contractor must hold a journeyman certificate.

What bond does an Idaho plumbing contractor need?

A $2,000 compliance bond, effective for the whole certificate period. Proof the bond was renewed is required to renew or revive the certificate.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), State Plumbing Board

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Idaho guides

All Idaho guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for plumbers

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Idaho Plumber License Renewal (DOPL)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 3 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: Anyone doing plumbing work in Idaho, unless an exception applies (such as an owner working on their own single or duplex family dwelling). Classes are plumbing contractor, journeyman and apprentice, with matching specialty contractor, specialty journeyman and specialty apprentice classes. Idaho has no master plumber license
Contractors: A plumbing contractor must hold a journeyman certificate and pass the contractor exam
Renews every: 3 years: certificates of competency are issued for three years. Check the expiration date on your certificate or DOPL's license search
Renew: Online through DOPL's online services (Apply for or Renew a License on the State Plumbing Board page)
Late renewal: A certificate not renewed in time lapses, but it can be revived within two years without examination by paying the full initial fee
Continuing education: None: DOPL states there are no continuing education requirements for plumbing
Bond: Contractors and specialty contractors: a $2,000 compliance bond, effective for the whole certificate period. Proof the bond was renewed is required to renew or revive the certificate
Apprentices: Apprentice registrations last 5 years and specialty apprentice registrations 3 years. The fee is $50 per renewal for apprentices and $30 for specialty apprentices. A lapsed registration can be revived within one year by paying the renewal fee
Inactive contractor: A contractor not contracting in Idaho can renew on an inactive basis and can't contract while inactive. Going active again takes a $30 processing fee and a $2,000 compliance bond

Renewal fees: DOPL's fee table and the amounts printed in Idaho Code 54-2616 differ, so this guide gives neither for contractors and journeymen. Pay the fee DOPL shows when you renew.

Idaho Code 54-2617 still mentions continuing education set by the board, but the board's current rules (IDAPA 24.39.20) set none and DOPL's FAQ says there are no CE requirements for plumbing.

How to renew

Look up your certificate on DOPL's license search to confirm its expiration date: certificates are issued for three years.
Contractors: renew your $2,000 compliance bond so it covers the whole new certificate period, and keep the proof: DOPL needs it to renew.
Renew online through DOPL's online services and pay the renewal fee DOPL shows. No CE certificates are needed.
Missed it? A lapsed certificate can be revived within two years without an exam by paying the full initial fee.
Check your apprentices' registrations too: 5 years for apprentices, 3 for specialty apprentices.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outLook up your certificate on DOPL's license search to confirm its expiration date. There's no CE to finish.
45 days outContractors: renew your $2,000 compliance bond for the new certificate period and keep the proof.
Final monthRenew online through DOPL's online services and pay the renewal fee DOPL shows.
Expiration dateMissed it? The certificate lapses, but can be revived within two years by paying the full initial fee.

Put this renewal in your calendar

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

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Contractors: your $2,000 compliance bond, since proof it was renewed is needed to renew the certificate
Your apprentices' registrations (5 years, or 3 for specialty apprentices)
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do you renew an Idaho plumbing license?

Every 3 years: certificates of competency are issued for three years. Check the expiration date on your certificate or DOPL's license search.

Does Idaho require continuing education for plumbers?

No. DOPL states there are no continuing education requirements for plumbing.

Is there a master plumber license in Idaho?

No. Idaho's classes are plumbing contractor, journeyman and apprentice, with matching specialty classes. A plumbing contractor must hold a journeyman certificate.

What bond does an Idaho plumbing contractor need?

A $2,000 compliance bond, effective for the whole certificate period. Proof the bond was renewed is required to renew or revive the certificate.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), State Plumbing Board

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Idaho guides

All Idaho guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for plumbers

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet