Idaho HVAC Exam

Exam Types and Structure

Idaho administers separate HVAC exams for journeymen and contractors, both through PSI Services. Here's what each involves:

Journeyman Exam: 120 multiple-choice questions, four-hour time limit, 70% passing score. This tests technical knowledge of mechanical installations, code compliance, and safety practices. Required reference books: the 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and the 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC).

Contractor Exam: 110 multiple-choice questions, four-hour time limit, 70% passing score. Tests the same technical knowledge plus business operations and Idaho-specific regulatory requirements. Required references: the 2018 IMC, 2018 IFGC, DBS Contractor's Business & Law Manual, and Idaho HVAC Statutes/Rules.

Business and Law Exam: Required for contractor applicants in addition to the trade exam. Tests knowledge of Idaho business regulations, contract law, and licensing administration.

Specialty exams exist for the four restricted classifications — Hearth (80 questions, three hours), Waste Oil (50 questions, two hours), Fuel Gas Piping (50 questions, two hours), and LP Gas Limited Heating. All require a 70% passing score.

How to Register and Schedule

Exams are scheduled through PSI Services' online portal or by phone. You register directly with PSI — not through DOPL. This is important because the current application sequence requires you to pass the exam before submitting your DOPL license application.

The fee is $75 per exam attempt. Testing credits remain valid for one year from payment. There's no waiting period between failed attempts, so you can reschedule immediately if you don't pass — but each attempt costs another $75.

Testing centers are located in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, and Blackfoot. Availability depends on the testing center's schedule, and popular time slots fill quickly, so register well in advance of when you want to test.

Open-Book Rules

Idaho HVAC exams are open-book, but the rules on what you can bring are strict and enforced by proctors:

Allowed:

• Physical printed code books, hole-punched and bound in three-ring loose-leaf binders
• Pre-applied highlighting and underlining
• Permanent index tabs

Prohibited:

• Sticky notes, Post-it tabs, or temporary flags (confiscated on sight)
• Loose-leaf paper, notes, or index cards
• Writing in the books during the exam
• Calculators with programming capability
• Smart devices of any kind

The reference material restriction is one of the most common causes of exam-day problems. Candidates who show up with spiral-bound code books, sticky-note-tabbed references, or loose study sheets have their materials confiscated before the exam starts, leaving them without the references they were counting on.

Prepare your binders before exam day. Transfer any sticky-note tabs to permanent adhesive tabs. Remove all loose paper. Make sure every page is hole-punched and secured in the binder rings.

Exam Day Logistics

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Late arrivals are denied admission and forfeit the $75 fee — no exceptions, no rescheduling.

Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with your name, signature, and photograph. Temporary paper IDs from the DMV are accepted only if you also bring the original expired physical ID alongside it.

The check-in process includes identity verification and a review of your reference materials. Once cleared, you'll be escorted to a computer terminal. The exam is entirely computer-based.

Scoring and Retakes

Your score appears on screen immediately after you submit the exam. PSI also prints a physical score report. If you passed, this score report is what you'll attach to your DOPL license application.

If you failed, the diagnostic report breaks down your performance by code chapter, showing where you lost the most points. This is genuinely useful for targeting weak areas before your next attempt.

There's no mandatory waiting period between attempts. You can schedule a retake as soon as the next available slot, but you'll pay $75 each time. Some candidates benefit from additional code review between attempts rather than retesting immediately.

ADA Accommodations

If you need testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, submit an official accommodation request with supporting professional documentation to PSI before scheduling your exam. Approved accommodations can include extended testing time, a separate testing room, or a reader. The request must be processed and approved before you can book an accommodated appointment.

The Exam-First Sequence

The current DOPL procedure requires passing the exam before applying for your license. The sequence is: register with PSI, schedule and pass the exam, then submit your DOPL application with the score report attached. Some older DOPL application PDFs still describe the reverse order — following those outdated instructions results in an application rejection.

For a complete walkthrough of the exam logistics, reference material preparation, and the correct application sequence, the Idaho HVAC License Guide covers everything you need to coordinate from registration through license issuance.

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