Idaho plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Idaho plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (DOPL), how to check one online, the license types, and 887 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Idaho?
| Who licenses them | Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), State Plumbing Board |
|---|---|
| License types | Plumbing Apprentice (registration), Journeyman Plumber, Plumbing Contractor, Specialty Apprentice, Specialty Journeyman, Specialty Contractor |
| When a license is required | State plumbing license required regardless of job size; no dollar exemption found |
Idaho licenses plumbers at apprentice, journeyman and contractor levels, plus specialty classes. Licensed plumbing contractors don't need separate contractor registration unless they work outside their license scope; permits come from the state or your local building department.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Idaho?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Idaho plumbing 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 plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DOPL.
What plumbing licenses does Idaho issue?
- Plumbing Apprentice (registration)
- Journeyman Plumber
- Plumbing Contractor
- Specialty Apprentice
- Specialty Journeyman
- Specialty Contractor
How do you get a plumbing license in Idaho?
Licenses are issued by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), State Plumbing Board. 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 plumbers are there in Idaho?
The Census Bureau counted 887 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Idaho in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Ada County | 212 |
|---|---|
| Canyon County | 143 |
| Kootenai County | 106 |
| Bonneville County | 61 |
| Twin Falls County | 47 |
| Bannock County | 40 |
| Bonner County | 31 |
| Blaine County | 26 |
What do Idaho homes mean for plumbing 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 plumber in Idaho?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Idaho licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.