100

Journeyman Questions

180

Journeyman Minutes

100

Contractor Questions

240

Contractor Minutes

Current Idaho exam update: the Journeyman Plumber exam is 100 questions in 180 minutes with 70 correct required. The Plumbing Contractor exam is 100 questions in 240 minutes with a 75% passing requirement. Both are open book.

Idaho Plumbing Exam Overview

Idaho plumbing exams are administered through PSI for the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.

Journeyman candidates are tested primarily on the Idaho State Plumbing Code and plumbing sizing. Plumbing Contractor candidates must also prepare for substantial business-and-law content in addition to trade code and schematics.

Journeyman: 100 questions | 180 minutes | 70 correct

Plumbing Contractor: 100 questions | 240 minutes | 75% passing

Format: open book

Primary references: 2015 UPC + 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code

Licensing Authority Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
Testing Provider PSI
Journeyman Exam 100 questions | 180 minutes | 70 correct
Contractor Exam 100 questions | 240 minutes | 75% passing
Exam Format Open book
Primary Plumbing Code 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code
State Code 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code
Journeyman Path 8,000 supervised hours + 576 approved instructional hours, or qualifying 16,000-hour experience pathway
Contractor Requirement Active Idaho Plumbing Journeyman license plus current contractor qualification requirements
Contractor Bond $2,000 compliance/surety bond

Idaho Journeyman Plumber Exam Weighting

These bars follow the current PSI 100-question Idaho Journeyman Plumber blueprint.

Idaho Plumbing Code Chapter 6 11 questions
Idaho Plumbing Code Chapter 7 11 questions
Idaho Plumbing Code Chapter 5 10 questions
Idaho Plumbing Code Chapter 9 10 questions
Idaho Plumbing Code Chapter 12 8 questions
Idaho Plumbing Code Chapter 10 7 questions
Idaho Plumbing Code Chapter 8 6 questions
Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4 5 questions each
Idaho Plumbing Code Chapter 11 4 questions
Chapters 14–17 1–2 questions each
Plumbing Sizing with Supplied Schematics 2 questions / 8 points

Plumbing Sizing & Schematic Exam Prep

Idaho's Journeyman exam gives extra weight to two schematic-based plumbing-sizing questions. Each question is worth four points.

Water & Fixture Sizing

  • Fixture-unit calculations
  • Water distribution sizing
  • Pressure considerations
  • Pipe sizing
  • Fixture connections
  • System-demand calculations

Drainage & Vent Sizing

  • Drainage fixture units
  • Horizontal drainage sizing
  • Stacks
  • Vent sizing
  • Building drains and sewers
  • Schematic interpretation

Idaho Plumbing Contractor Exam

The Plumbing Contractor examination is not simply the Journeyman exam with a few extra questions. It combines plumbing-code knowledge, schematic sizing and a substantial contractor Business & Law component.

Questions: 100

Time: 240 minutes

Passing requirement: 75%

References include: plumbing code plus the DOPL Contractor's Business and Law Reference Manual.

Idaho Plumbing Contractor Exam Emphasis

The largest current contractor-exam areas include Business & Law plus schematic sizing and plumbing-code topics.

Contractor Business & Law Section 6 20 questions
Contractor Business & Law Section 7 15 questions
Contractor Business & Law Section 11 10 questions
Plumbing Schematic Sizing 8 questions
Plumbing Code Chapters 5, 6, 8 & 9 5 questions each
Plumbing Code Chapter 12 4 questions
Contractor Business & Law Section 13 3 questions

Open-Book Idaho Plumbing Exam Strategy

Do This

  • Use the 2015 UPC and Idaho State Plumbing Code
  • Apply compliant permanent tabs
  • Highlight major tables and formulas
  • Practice chapter recognition
  • Work schematic questions repeatedly
  • Time every code lookup
  • Complete full PSI-style simulations

Avoid This

  • Using temporary Post-it-style tabs
  • Writing new notes during the examination
  • Ignoring Idaho amendments
  • Memorizing only practice-answer letters
  • Skipping schematic sizing
  • Ignoring contractor Business & Law
  • Using outdated exam timing

Idaho Journeyman Plumber Licensing Paths

Apprenticeship & Schooling Path

  • 8,000 hours of supervised plumbing work
  • Four years of approved schooling
  • 576 instructional hours
  • Pass the Journeyman Plumber examination
  • Complete DOPL licensing requirements

Work-Experience Path

  • Qualifying 16,000-hour plumbing work pathway
  • Document experience as required by Idaho
  • Meet application requirements
  • Pass the Journeyman examination
  • Complete initial licensing process

Idaho Plumbing Contractor Licensing Requirements

Current Idaho contractor materials no longer state the older requirement that a plumber must hold a Journeyman license for two and a half years before applying as a Plumbing Contractor.

Current path: hold the appropriate active Idaho Plumbing Journeyman license, satisfy contractor application requirements, pass the contractor examination and maintain the required bond.

Bond: a $2,000 compliance/surety bond is required for the Plumbing Contractor certificate.

Idaho Plumbing Licensing Roadmap

Move from apprenticeship or qualifying experience through Journeyman licensing and into the contractor pathway.

1

Build qualifying plumbing experience

Complete the required Idaho apprenticeship, schooling and work experience or qualifying alternative experience pathway.

2

Prepare for the Journeyman exam

Study the 2015 UPC, Idaho State Plumbing Code, chapter weighting and schematic sizing.

3

Pass the Journeyman exam

Complete 100 questions in 180 minutes and earn at least 70 correct answers.

4

Obtain Journeyman licensing

Complete Idaho DOPL licensing requirements after passing the examination.

5

Prepare for contractor testing

Add Business & Law, contractor administration and more schematic-sizing practice.

6

Pass the Plumbing Contractor exam

Complete 100 questions in 240 minutes and achieve the required 75 percent score.

7

Complete contractor certification

Submit the required bond and complete remaining DOPL contractor requirements.

Six-Week Idaho Plumbing Exam Prep Plan

Week 1

UPC Navigation

  • 2015 UPC structure
  • Idaho amendments
  • Permanent tabs
  • Diagnostic test
Week 2

Water & Fixtures

  • Water supply
  • Fixture units
  • Valves
  • Pipe sizing
Week 3

Drainage & Venting

  • Sanitary drainage
  • Vents
  • Traps
  • Cleanouts
Week 4

Schematics & Sizing

  • Water sizing
  • Drain sizing
  • Vent sizing
  • Isometric interpretation
Week 5

Contractor Business & Law

  • Business law
  • Contractor responsibilities
  • Administrative rules
  • Contractor reference navigation
Week 6

Timed Simulation

  • Journeyman 180-minute simulation
  • Contractor 240-minute simulation
  • Slow-lookup review
  • Final sizing practice

Idaho Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep FAQ

Journeyman Plumber Exam

The current PSI Idaho Journeyman Plumber exam contains 100 questions.
Candidates receive 180 minutes, or three hours.
Candidates need 70 correct answers on the current exam.
Yes. The current PSI examination is open book using approved plumbing references.

Codes & Sizing

The current PSI bulletin lists the 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code and the 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code.
Yes. Current rules permit permanent indexing, highlighting and underlining. Temporary Post-it-style markers are prohibited.
Yes. The current Journeyman blueprint includes two plumbing-sizing questions using supplied schematics. Each is worth four points.
Practice water distribution, drainage fixture units, building drains, vents, sewers, pressure, pipe sizing and schematic interpretation.

Journeyman Licensing

One Idaho pathway requires 8,000 hours of supervised plumbing work plus four years of approved schooling totaling 576 instructional hours. Idaho also provides a qualifying 16,000-hour work-experience pathway.
Idaho DOPL currently states that there are no continuing education requirements for Idaho plumbing licenses.
Idaho currently identifies reciprocity pathways involving Montana, Oregon and Washington, subject to applicable licensing, experience and verification requirements.

Plumbing Contractor Exam

The current Idaho Plumbing Contractor exam contains 100 questions.
Candidates receive 240 minutes, or four hours.
The current passing requirement is 75 percent.
Yes. A substantial portion of the current Plumbing Contractor examination comes from Idaho's Contractor's Business and Law Reference Manual.
Current Idaho materials no longer state the older two-and-a-half-year holding period as a requirement. Applicants must hold the appropriate active Idaho Plumbing Journeyman license and meet current contractor requirements.
Yes. Current Idaho contractor materials require a $2,000 compliance or surety bond.
Start with the 2015 UPC and Idaho State Plumbing Code, especially the higher-weight chapters. Then study water supply, drainage, vents and schematic sizing. Plumbing Contractor candidates should add Idaho Business & Law preparation.

Idaho Plumbing Exam Prep Resources

Idaho Contractor Exam Prep 1 Exam Prep Idaho Plumbing Exam Information Idaho Plumbing Licensing Idaho Plumbing Licensing FAQ Idaho PSI Candidate Bulletin Idaho DOPL Contact 1 Exam Prep

Prepare for the Idaho Plumbing Exams

Build UPC navigation speed, Idaho plumbing-code knowledge, water and DWV sizing skills, schematic confidence, Business & Law understanding and timed open-book testing ability for Journeyman Plumber and Plumbing Contractor licensing.

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Idaho Plumbing Exam Prep