Division of
Building Safety

Electrical Rule

Docket # 07-0103-1101 The proposed rule would allow an initial renewal of an apprentice registration upon a demonstration that the applicant has made at least some progress toward the requirements for a journeyman license in the form of two years of approved schooling and two years (4,000 hours) of work experience.  It also would limit renewals of apprentice registrations to no more than one without a recommendation from the board to do so. Finally, it requires the Division and board to consider any extenuating circumstances which may prevent an applicant from completing the schooling and/or work requirements. This rulemaking prevents the potential for life-time apprentices which the industry has expressed to the board as not advantageous to the individual apprentice or the contractors who employ them. Currently, electrical apprentice registrations are issued for a period of five years and there is no limitation on how many times a trainee may renew such. (IDAPA 07.01.03.012)

Electrical Rule

Docket # 07-0104-1101 The proposed rule would allow an initial renewal of a specialty electrical trainee registration upon a demonstration that the applicant has made at least some progress toward the requirements for a specialty journeyman license in the form of one year (2,000 hours) of work experience.  It also would limit renewals of specialty trainee registrations to no more than one without a recommendation from the board to do so. Finally, it requires the Division and board to consider any extenuating circumstances which may prevent an applicant from completing the schooling and/or work requirements. This rulemaking prevents the potential for life-time specialty trainees which the industry has expressed to the board as not advantageous to the individual trainees or the contractors who employ them. Currently, electrical specialty trainee registrations are issued for a period of three years and there is no limitation on how many times a trainee may renew such. (IDAPA 07.01.04.013)

See pages 115-117 of the October 5, 2011 Idaho Administrative Bulletin for rule text.

Electrical Rule

Docket # 07-0104-1102 The proposed rule would establish an electrical specialty license category for the installation, maintenance, and repair of photovoltaic electrical DC systems and micro-inverter/AC systems to include all electrical equipment, wires and accessories. This would legally recognize established PV contractors who have operated specialized businesses over the course of the past 20+ years.   This proposal allows these companies and installers to become licensed and sets the bar for future practitioners in this fast-growing industry.  It also facilitates the permitting and inspections of photovoltaic installations to assure those installations safely comply with the provisions of the National Electrical Code. (IDAPA 07.01.04.013.09)

See pages 118-122 of the October 5, 2011 Idaho Administrative Bulletin for rule text.

Docket # 07-0105-1101 The proposed rule would eliminate the 30-day waiting period after a first or second failed journeyman examination attempt. When this original rule was written, examinations were only administered on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. However, the electrical journeyman examination is now offered on a continuous basis in the state throughout the year and there is no longer a need to impose a 30-day waiting period after a first or second failed journeyman examination attempt. (IDAPA 07.01.05.011.04)

Electrical Rule

Docket # 07-0106-1101 The proposed rule would adopt the 2011 edition of the National Electric Code (NEC). The proposed rule would also eliminate the amendment to the NEC which only requires arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breakers to be used in dwelling unit bedrooms.  Since 2008, the Board has only required AFCI circuit breakers to be utilized for circuits supplying dwelling unit bedrooms as reflected in this administrative rule which amended the NEC. The elimination of this rule would result in the provision of the NEC addressing AFCI to exist without amendment, which would result in the requirement that such circuit breakers be utilized in most living spaces (dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, dens, bedrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas). (IDAPA 07.01.06.011)

See pages 125-128 of the October 5, 2011 Idaho Administrative Bulletin for rule text

Electrical Rule

Docket # 07-0107-1101 The proposed rule would add a requirement that continuing education providers who apply to have their programs and instructors approved by the Division pay a $50 fee to the Division. The addition of a fee is necessary to cover the expense to the Division for reviewing continuing education provider applications. (IDAPA 07.01.07.012)

See pages 129-133 of the October 5, 2011 Idaho Administrative Bulletin for rule text..

Elevator Rule

Docket # 07-0402-1101 The proposed rule would adopt the most recent (2010) edition of the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators with several amendments thereto. It would also adopt several other more specific installation standards in the form of the Standard for Elevator Suspension and Governor Systems Performance-based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. The rule would also require an accredited Elevator/Escalator certification organization (AECO) approval in accordance with ANSI standard A17.7 in any request for alternate technology or construction from the Division. (IDAPA 07.04.02.004)

HVAC Rule

Docket # 07-0701-1101 The proposed rule would clarify that HVAC contractors and specialty contractors must obtain a compliance bond and not a performance bond, and that the bond must be effective for the entire duration of the licensing period. Separately, the rulemaking would also eliminate the need to have different colored inspection tags and clarify that unacceptable HVAC installations will receive a Notice of Correction tag. HVAC contractors and specialty contractors are required to secure a compliance bond for use by the Division to ensure that HVAC installations the contractor may make are done so in compliance with the adopted HVAC codes. The bond is required to be active for the entire duration of the licensing period (3 years). Often a bond is purchased by a contractor only for the purpose of obtaining the license from the Division and is not effective for the full licensure period. DBS is also required to provide a notice in the form of an inspection tag on each HVAC installation that is unacceptable as not installed to code, and that corrections are required. (IDAPA 07.07.01.005.021/022 & 060)

HVAC Rule

Docket # 07-0701-1102 The proposed rule would eliminate the requirements related to the location and protection of the gas piping, regulators, and meters.   The location and protection of the gas regulator, meter, and associated gas piping are the responsibility of the utility company and not within the jurisdiction of the Division. Additionally, enforcement of these requirements is difficult given the ambiguity of what is considered to be adequate protection of this equipment, as well as the lack of clarity as to where the termination point is of the piping installed inside the structure which connects out to this equipment (DBS authority terminates at such point). (IDAPA 07.07.01.005.01.e & f)

See pages 161-162 of the October 5, 2011 Idaho Administrative Bulletin for rule text.

Plumbing Rule

Docket # 07-0205-1101 This rule establishes the requirements for courses of instruction, the Division’s procedures for approval of programs and providers, the fees associated with applications for approval, and requirements for credit. Substantially similar criteria have already been established for the provision of continuing education to electrical licensees; and has effectively served to ensure the reputability and effectiveness of instructors and courses offered. (IDAPA 07.02.05.016)

See pages 134-141 of the October 5, 2011 Idaho Administrative Bulletin for rule text.

Plumbing Rule

Docket # 07-0205-1102 This rule would require anyone who has previously been licensed in any jurisdiction as a journeyman or master plumber to disclose such licensure history to the Division upon application. It also prevents any such individual so previously licensed from obtaining an apprentice registration. This rulemaking is intended to prevent individuals already licensed in other jurisdictions as master and journeyman plumbers from entering Idaho and obtain apprentice registrations from the Division for the purpose of working on particular jobs and leaving the state upon completion of such.  Such out-of-state individuals have evidenced no intent of attending school or working the established number of hours as required of all apprentice registrants, nor ultimately testing for an Idaho journeyman license. Such practice circumvents the licensing requirements because those individuals in effect perform as journeymen on the jobs.  (IDAPA 07.02.05.010)

Plumbing Rule

Docket # 07-0205-1103 This rule change would allow an apprentice to take the written portion of the journeyman exam upon completion of a four (4) year board approved course of instruction regardless of the amount of hours of work experience the apprentice may have accrued to that point. However, no journeyman license would be issued to the apprentice, despite successful completion of the written exam, until the apprentice actually achieves 8000 hours of work experience, and then successfully completes the practical portion of the journeyman examination. Current economic conditions have made it difficult for many apprentices to timely achieve the required 8,000 hours of work experience in order to take the journeyman examination.  Upon completion of schooling, apprentices now often have to wait considerable time (sometimes years) before they may test for their journeyman license. This potentially large gap of time between completion of schooling and the exam date reduces the likelihood of passing the exam and requires additional time and expense in the form of continuation instruction. (IDAPA 07.02.05.011)

Plumbing Rule

Docket # 07-0207-1101 This rule relates to Docket # 07-0205-1102 and would establish a civil penalty for applicants who fail to disclose the required information on any Division plumbing application, specifically to include their licensure history and any licenses previously held. No provision exists in rule to impose a civil penalty for failure to disclose the required information on an application for registration or certificate of competency. Requiring such disclosure will help prevent applicants, particularly those already licensed in other jurisdictions, from circumventing the journeyman licensure requirements. (IDAPA 07.02.07.011.03)

PWCL Rule

Docket # 07-0501-1101 The proposed rule would provide for an additional fee for those public works contractor license applicants who request an extension of time in which to submit an application, as well as a provision to expedite a public works contractor license application along with a commensurate fee for providing such service. Existing administrative rule already provides for the procedures for requesting an extension of time to submit an application for license renewal; however the current procedure locks the applicant into an annual recurring request usually coinciding with the fiscal year and lag in receiving the accountant’s report.  Applicants also often request that their application for licensure be expedited, and the Division facilitates such requests when resources are available. Using a separate fee for this service, DBS assures that all applicants are treated fairly, and that no applicant’s application is negatively impacted by moving another applicant’s application ahead. (IDAPA 07.05.01.105)