Idaho contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Idaho contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (DOPL), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,145 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Idaho?
| Who licenses them | Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Idaho Contractors Board (registration) |
|---|---|
| License types | Registered Contractor |
| When a license is required | Registration required for construction jobs over $2,000 (labor and materials); written disclosure statement required before signing a residential contract over $2,000; completion disclosure of subs/suppliers over $500 before final payment |
Idaho requires registration, not a competency license: registered contractors must carry at least $300,000 general liability insurance and workers' comp (or explain why it isn't required). For residential jobs over $2,000 the general contractor must give the homeowner a disclosure statement on lien waivers, insurance, title insurance and surety bonds; skipping it is a deceptive practice under the Idaho Consumer Protection Act.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Idaho?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Idaho contractor license lookup run by DOPL.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DOPL.
What contractor licenses does Idaho issue?
- Registered Contractor
How do you get a contractor license in Idaho?
Licenses are issued by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Idaho Contractors Board (registration). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official DOPL source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many home improvement contractors are there in Idaho?
The Census Bureau counted 1,145 residential remodelers with employees in Idaho in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Ada County | 294 |
|---|---|
| Kootenai County | 153 |
| Canyon County | 142 |
| Blaine County | 62 |
| Bonner County | 51 |
| Bannock County | 44 |
| Bonneville County | 41 |
| Twin Falls County | 35 |
What do Idaho homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Idaho was built in 1990, 28% of households rent and 77% of homes are single-family houses. 51% of homes heat with utility gas and 35% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Idaho?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Idaho licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.