50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Idaho Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Idaho.

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Idaho for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Idaho Engineering Company Licenses

Idaho Certificate of Authorization

Agency:Idaho Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (IPELS)
Law:

Idaho Code § 54- 1235

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Idaho licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.

Professional Corporations:

  • For Idaho PCs, each of the officers, shareholders, and directors must be licensed individuals.
  • For foreign PCs, there is no license requirement for officers and shareholders, but the firm must appoint an Idaho licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint an Idaho licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • For Idaho PLLCs, each of the members and managers must be licensed individuals.
  • For foreign PLLCs, there is no license requirement for members and managers, but the firm must appoint an Idaho licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint an Idaho licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Entity Certificate of Authorization (COA) Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$200

Turnaround:

3-5 business days if all materials are submitted correctly. Notification will be sent by email and a hard copy will be mailed.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify an Idaho licensed individual to act as the professional in charge of the firm's engineering and/or surveying activities in Idaho.
  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your entity's home state showing that your entity is actively registered to file with your foreign qualification application (certificates cannot be more than 90 days old at the time of filing).
  • Ensure that your Idaho entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Identify an Idaho licensed individual to act as the professional in charge of the firm's engineering and/or surveying activities in Idaho.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. If the name of the entity will contain some form of the word "engineer" or "land surveyor", first obtain a letter of name approval from the Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (IPELS).
  2. File entity formation documents online with the Idaho Secretary of State.
  3. Create an account on the Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors website and submit a Certificate of Authorization Application.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your entity will need to foreign qualify in Idaho. If not required, skip to number 4.
  2. If the name of the entity will contain some form of the word "engineer" or "land surveyor", first obtain a letter of name approval from the Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (IPELS).
  3. File foreign qualification documents online with the Idaho Secretary of State.
  4. Create an account on the Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors website and submit a Certificate of Authorization Application.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$120

Due:

Annually on the last day of the month that the COA was issued in.

Penalties:

Late fee of $30 per month max of $500

Required Attachments:
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required
Notes:

Notify the board via email or mail (accompanied by official documentation). If the legal structure of the business has changed, a new application must be filed. The company address can be changed online.

Reinstatement

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$60/month late fee + $120 renewal fee (capped at $500).

Idaho Geology Firm License

Not required



Geoscience Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Idaho.

More information: Idaho Board of Registration for Professional Geologists

Individual Licenses

Idaho Individual Engineering Licenses

Idaho Engineer Intern Certificate

Agency:Idaho Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (IPELS)

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$20

Due:

Biennially by the end of the licensee's month of birth. Licensees born in even-numbered years file every even-numbered Idaho state fiscal year and licensees born in odd-numbered years file every odd-numbered Idaho state fiscal year.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required

Idaho Geologist in Training Permit

Agency:Idaho Board of Registration for Professional Geologists

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Fundamentals of Geology Exam and Geologist in Training Permit

Agency Fee:

$320

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Permits expire after 10 years and cannot be renewed.

Idaho Land Surveyor Intern Certificate

Agency:Idaho Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (IPELS)

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$20

Due:

Biennially by the end of the licensee's month of birth. Licensees born in even-numbered years file every even-numbered Idaho state fiscal year and licensees born in odd-numbered years file every odd-numbered Idaho state fiscal year.

Idaho Professional Engineer License

Agency:Idaho Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (IPELS)
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

A facsimile signature generated by any method will not be acceptable unless accompanied by a digital signature.

ID Stat. § 54-1215

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

(a) The seal may be a rubber stamp, crimp or electronically generated image. Whenever the seal is applied, the licensee’s signature and date shall also be included. If the signature is handwritten, it shall be adjacent to or across the seal. No further words or wording is required.

ID Stat. § 54-1215

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100 without NCEES record and $80 if applying with an NCEES record.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Biennially by the end of the licensee's month of birth. Licensees born in even-numbered years file every even-numbered Idaho state fiscal year and licensees born in odd-numbered years file every odd-numbered Idaho state fiscal year.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required

Idaho Professional Geologist License

Agency:Idaho Board of Registration for Professional Geologists
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

A facsimile signature generated by any method will not be acceptable unless accompanied by a digital signature.

IDAPA 24.04.01.100

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

The seal may be a rubber stamp, crimp, or electronically generated image. Whenever the seal is applied, the Registrant’s signature and date shall also be included. If the signature is handwritten, it shall be adjacent to or across the seal. No further words or wording are required.

IDAPA 24.04.01.100

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Geologist Registration

Agency Fee:

$370

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$60

Due:

Annually

Idaho Professional Land Surveyor License

Agency:Idaho Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (IPELS)

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100 without NCEES record and $80 if applying with an NCEES record.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Biennially by the end of the licensee's month of birth. Licensees born in even-numbered years file every even-numbered Idaho state fiscal year and licensees born in odd-numbered years file every odd-numbered Idaho state fiscal year.

Learn about engineering licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Design Firm - Engineering firm registration is sometimes grouped with architecture and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

EI (Engineering Intern) - A term also used to describe an Engineer in Training.

EIT (Engineer in Training) - A professional designation granted upon having completed at least 3 years of school at an ABET-accredited university and having passed the FE exam.

FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) - An exam testing on basic engineering principles that is required to become an engineer in training.

PE (Professional Engineer or 'Principles and Practice in Engineering') - Means either Professional Engineer or refers to the Principles and Practice in Engineering exam that is a prerequisite for an engineering license.

Reciprocity - When a licensed engineer in one state can provide documentation (often an NCEES Record) to more easily apply for a license in another jurisdiction.

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accrediting board that sets standards for university programs in a variety of applied science disciplines.

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Engineering, architecture, and land surveying advocacy group.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Mechanical engineering organization that focuses on education and professional development.

Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
Reviews accreditation requirements and makes final decisions regarding the accreditation process.

National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)
Develops, administers, and scores the exams used for engineering licenses.

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
NSPE is an advocacy group for professional engineers.

Revised October 18, 2021. Complete data last reviewed July 03, 2018.
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