Idaho Electrician Continuing Education: Why It's No Longer Required

CE Is Eliminated — Full Stop

During the 2025 legislative review of the Idaho Electrical Board's administrative rules (IDAPA 24.39.10), the House Business Committee took an unusual step: they struck all continuing education requirements for Journeyman and Master Electrician license renewals.

This was not a temporary waiver or a pandemic-era accommodation. The CE provisions for those renewals were removed from the rules entirely. As of 2025, Idaho Journeyman and Master licensees do not need to complete or report any continuing education hours to renew their licenses.

What This Means for Your Renewal

If you previously budgeted time and money for 24 hours of CE classes every renewal cycle, you no longer need those classes for a Journeyman or Master renewal. Submit the renewal application on time and pay the applicable fee; no CE transcripts, no course completion certificates, no provider reporting.

This 2025 change applies to both Journeyman and Master Electrician renewals. For any other credential, verify the current requirements with DOPL.

Why Some Providers Still Sell Idaho CE Courses

Commercial CE providers — including well-known names in the industry — continue to market Idaho-specific CE courses and renewal packages. Their websites may still list Idaho as requiring continuing education. Some even sell "Idaho CE bundles" at prices ranging from $150 to $400.

These courses are not required for an Idaho Journeyman or Master renewal. Taking them is entirely voluntary. They may have educational value, but they are not required to maintain those licenses.

If a provider tells you that Idaho requires CE for renewal, they are either operating on outdated information or misrepresenting the current rules.

The Reciprocity Complication

Idaho's CE elimination created tension with neighboring states. Oregon, Washington, Utah, Wyoming, and most other states that share reciprocity agreements with Idaho maintain mandatory CE standards — typically 16 to 24 hours per renewal cycle.

The concern is straightforward: if Idaho does not require its electricians to stay current on code changes and industry developments, other states may view Idaho credentials as lower-standard and suspend reciprocal recognition.

The Idaho Electrical Board met with the National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance (NERA) in August 2025 to negotiate the impact. As of now, Idaho's twelve-state Journeyman reciprocity list remains intact, but the situation is fluid. If you plan to transfer your Idaho license to another state, verify the current reciprocity status with both DOPL and the destination state before starting your application.

Should You Take CE Voluntarily?

The 2023 NEC introduced significant changes, and staying current on code developments has practical value even without a legal requirement. If you work across state lines or plan to pursue reciprocity with a CE-mandatory state, voluntary CE completion strengthens your position.

But that is a professional development decision, not a licensing compliance one for Journeyman or Master renewals.

The Idaho Electrician License Guide covers the post-2025 renewal process and the reciprocity implications of the CE change, so you know exactly what is and is not required when your renewal date arrives.

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