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In Idaho, job prospects for electricians keep increasing and if you want to start a new career path in this field, you first need to get a license.
The electrician licenses in Idaho are managed by The Idaho Division of Building Safety.
Read on in order to learn more about the steps required to become an electrician in this state.
Article Table of Contents
Being an Apprentice
All electricians start out as apprentices and they work while being overseen by a master electrician.
This period lasts for 6,000 hours in a traditional apprenticeship program though graduating from a technical school in 4 years is another approach.
If you want to get an Electrical Specialty Journeyman License, you must finish a 2-year program.
The program can be completed through a trade school, a union or non-union apprentice program.
Trade Schools
You can enroll in a trade school and complete a 2-year course for an associate’s degree.
While these programs will not issue a journeyman license, you can get a job to gain experience.
After you get the required work experience as a basic electrician, you will be able to apply for a journeyman license.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Idaho State University | 921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83209 |
| North Idaho College | 1000 West Garden Avenue, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 |
Apprenticeship Options
Another way to start your career is by attending a union program.
These programs are offered through the National Training Alliance, and require:
- Be 18 years old
- Photo ID
- Ability to perform your job duties
- Having a means of transportation
- Take a skill test and pass it
- High school diploma/GED
You also need to become a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
If you prefer a non-union program, you can get in contact with the IEC of Idaho.
In order to become an apprentice, you also need to register your apprenticeship.
Become a Journeyman
Journeymen can work independently and they need a license.
To get a journeyman license, you must:
- Submit an application
- Complete the apprenticeship in the state
- Score 70% on the exam
The test has a duration of 4 hours, comprises 100 questions and is open book.
The manuals allowed include:
- Idaho Electrical Statutes and Rules
- National Electrical Code, NFPA
- Ferm’s Fast Finder Index, IAEI
- Ugly’s Electrical Reference, George V. Hart
- Tom Henry’s Key Word Index
If you want to work in a specialty, you can get a specialty journeyman electrician certification.
For this, you need to accumulate 4,000 hours in one of the following specializations:
- Outside Wireman
- Photovoltaic (Solar) Electrician
- Elevator, Dumbwaiter, Escalator or Moving Walk Electrician
- Electrical Signs
- Irrigation Sprinkler Electrician
- Refrigeration, Heating, and Air Conditioning Electrician
The requirements are:
- Submit an application
- A score of 70% on the test
The test is open book and lasts for 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the chosen specialization.
Become a Master Electrician
Master electricians can plan, layout, and supervise the installation and repair of electrical equipment.
To become a master electrician, you need to:
- Submit an application
- 4 years of experience as a journeyman
- Passing the test with a 75% score
The test has a duration of 4 hours, is an open book and comprises 90 questions.
The books allowed in the exam room are:
- Idaho Electrical Statutes and Rules
- National Electrical Code, NFPA
- Ferm’s Fast Finder Index, IAEI
- Ugly’s Electrical Reference, George V. Hart
- Tom Henry’s Key Word Index
Become an Independent Electrical Contractor
Independent electrical contractors are allowed to hire master electricians and run a local business.
To become an independent electrical contractor, you need to register and submit:
- An application
- Hire a master electrician
- A score of 70% in the exam
- $300,000 of liability insurance
- Worker’s compensation insurance
The license you will apply for is based on the value of the projects you will work on, as follows:
- Class Unlimited– more than $5 million
- Class AAA– up to $5 million
- Class AA– up to $3 million
- Class A– up to $1.25 million
- Class B– up to $600,000
- Class CC– up to $400,000
- Class C– up to $200,000
- Class D– up to $50,000
The exams available are:
- Class D exam
- Non-class D exam
Salary
Your salary will depend greatly on your current denomination and the time spent on that position.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boise | $46,071 |
| Meridian | $46,023 |
| Nampa | $45,586 |
| Idaho Falls | $44,141 |
| Pocatello | $42,196 |
| Caldwell | $45,537 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $47,780 |
| Twin Falls | $42,051 |
| Lewiston | $47,941 |
| Post Falls | $47,884 |
Regional Salary in Idaho
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 2,250 | $55,130 | $26.51 | $77,320 | $38,630 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 520 | $54,390 | $26.15 | $77,030 | $37,780 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 410 | $57,310 | $27.55 | $90,960 | $37,560 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 200 | $82,460 | $39.64 | $144,830 | $44,260 |
| Pocatello, ID | 170 | $50,460 | $24.26 | $75,410 | $37,570 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 270 | $51,760 | $24.89 | $75,230 | $37,550 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
License Renewal
The journeyman license must be renewed once at 3 years, for which you need 24 extra education hours split as:
- 8 hours on National Electrical Code changes
- 8 hours on other code-related training
- 8 hours on industry-related training
The master electrician license requires to be renewed every 3 years, for which 24 extra education hours are required.
The independent contractor license should be renewed annually.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
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