Idaho Master Electrician License: Requirements and Application Process
What the Master License Gives You
The Master Electrician credential is the highest individual license in Idaho's electrical trade hierarchy. It grants authority to design systems, perform advanced calculations, supervise large crews, and — critically — serve as the qualifying individual for an electrical contracting business. Without at least one active Master (or a Journeyman with 2,000+ hours) on staff, a contracting company cannot legally bid on or perform electrical work.
Eligibility: Four Years as a Journeyman
To qualify, you must have held an active Idaho Journeyman Electrician license for a minimum of four consecutive years. Keep the license active throughout the qualifying period and confirm your record with DOPL before applying.
Out-of-state Master electricians cannot simply transfer their credential. Idaho requires them to first qualify for and pass the Idaho Journeyman exam, purchase the Idaho Journeyman license, and then apply for the Master upgrade. They can credit four years of active journeyman-level licensure in their previous state toward the experience requirement, but they still need a valid Idaho Journeyman license on file.
The NASCLA Master Exam
The Master exam is administered by PSI at testing centers in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, and Pocatello. The $75 exam fee is paid directly to PSI when you schedule.
The exam is divided into two sections: Code Knowledge and Calculations. It covers complex load determinations, system design, materials specifications, and Idaho administrative laws. The passing score is 75% — five points higher than the Journeyman exam's 70% threshold.
Like the Journeyman exam, it is open-book. You may bring a printed 2023 NEC in a 3-ring binder with permanent tabs and highlights. No sticky notes, loose papers, or writing allowed. The testing vendor has been reducing the number of approved reference manuals — the Master exam reference load dropped from fourteen manuals to eight as part of psychometric adjustments following lower pass rates under the NASCLA format.
Book four to six weeks ahead for your preferred testing center and date.
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Application and Fees
After passing, submit your Master Electrician application through the DOPL online portal. The total cost is $80 — a $15 application processing fee plus a $65 license fee.
HB 153: The Dual-Renewal Rule
House Bill 153, effective July 1, 2025, changed how Master and Journeyman licenses interact. Previously, Master Electricians had to separately track and renew both their Master and Journeyman credentials, paying separate fees for each.
Under HB 153, renewing your Master license automatically renews your underlying Journeyman license at no additional charge. This eliminates the duplicate fees and the risk of accidentally letting your Journeyman expire while your Master stays active.
Renewal and Reinstatement
Master licenses currently renew every three years, with DOPL transitioning to a biennial cycle based on your birth year (even birth years renew in even calendar years). The standard renewal fee is $45 (expected to become $90 biennial). During the transition, DOPL is running a fee holiday — active licensees who renew on time pay nothing.
If your Master license lapses, reinstatement costs $55. A lapsed license means you cannot legally supervise apprentices, design systems, or qualify a contracting business until reinstatement is complete.
The Idaho Electrician License Guide covers the Journeyman-to-Master pathway with tracking worksheets and an application packet checklist tailored to the post-HB 153 rules.
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