Registration Application Process

On and after January 1, 2006, it became unlawful for any person, not otherwise exempt (as outlined in the registration act), to engage in contracting, or hold oneself out as a contractor in Idaho without being registered.  It also became unlawful for a contractor to engage another contractor unless such other contractor furnishes proof of being either registered or exempt.  Any person who engages in contracting business or acts as a contractor, whether or not they are registered, is under the jurisdiction of the Idaho Contractors Board.  

IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A CONTRACTOR TO PRACTICE AFTER JANUARY 1, 2006 UNLESS THAT CONTRACTOR HOLDS A CURRENT REGISTRATION CARD OR IS OTHERWISE EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.

A contractor is defined as any person who undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to have the capacity to undertake, or submits a bid to perform construction; or a construction manager who performs construction management services. More information is available in the brochure "How does Idaho's Contractor Registration Law Affect You?"

Registration may be accomplished by submitting an application by mail. The application process may also be initiated online.  The fee for an original registration for either an individual contractor or a contracting business entity is $30.00. That fee includes the initial registration. 

THIS IS NOT A LICENSURE LAW. There are no education, experience, or examination requirements that must be met for registration. Applicants must, however, submit specific information in order to be registered.

In order to obtain registration, an applicant must submit the required fee and a completed application that includes the following:

• Social security number or employer tax identification number for a business;
• The name and address under which the applicant conducts business;
• The name and address of each principal, member, partner, shareholder, or any other person claiming an ownership interest in the business entity for which registration is being applied for;
• A certificate issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the state of Idaho or other satisfactory proof that the applicant has procured and has in effect worker's compensation insurance or a statement by the contractor as to why such certificate or coverage is not required for the applicant; NOTE: The name of the insured on the certificate MUST exactly match the name/business listed on the application.
• A certificate issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the state of Idaho that the applicant has procured and has in effect a general liability policy, including products and continued operations insurance covering the applicant's construction operations in the sum of not less than $300,000 single limit; NOTE: The name of the insured on the certificate MUST exactly match the name/business listed on the application.
• A statement of the type of construction to be undertaken by the applicant, or such other information as may be required by the board pursuant to administrative rules adopted by the board;
• A statement that the applicant and each principal, member, partner, shareholder, or any other person claiming an ownership interest in the business entity for which registration is being applied for herein has never been denied or had revoked a contractor's license or registration privilege in this or any other state or, if a license or registration privilege has been denied or revoked in this or any other state, an explanation of any such denial or revocation.

 BECAUSE of the large amount of certificates of insurance our agency receives from the insurance companies, your certificate of insurance MUST be attached with your application.

Incomplete applications will be returned and your registration WILL BE DELAYED. The most common application errors are:

 Failure to legibly print the registrant’s name & address

 Failure to answer all the questions 

Failure to include both General Liability & Workman’s Compensation Insurance Certificates 

Failure to include Public Works or Construction Manager Certificate as applicable 

Failure to include the registration fee (make checks payable to IBOL)

Failure to sign the application and/or have the application notarized

Complete applications are #1 priority & are processed and presented to the Board first. Incomplete applications are delayed and will be processed only after all complete applications have been processed.

***PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE BUREAU REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION STATUS***

You may:    download and print the application for mailing , or 

                    request the application from the Bureau office.

You may obtain further information and request applications by contacting:

Last Modified - January 24, 2008