Idaho Legislature passes the Contractor Registration Act

Just a reminder to all the area contractors, the Idaho Legislature has passed House Bill 163, the Idaho Contractor Registration Act, which requires that all contractors must be registered with the state as of 1 January 2006.

The new act defines a contractor as someone who undertakes, offers to, claims to be able to, or submits a bid to, or does himself or by or through others, performs construction or a construction manager who performs a construction management service of over $2,000 (materials and labor). The act goes on to explain the types of construction covered. Those would include the building, altering, adding to, subtracting from, improving, reconstructing, moving, excavating, wrecking or demolishing any building, highway, road, bridge, or other structure, project, development or improvement to real property. Not to mention the erection of scaffolding or other structures or works connected to construction.

Note, there are some situations involving contractors that are covered under other parts of the Idaho Law or simply do not require registration. Some of those would include:

1. Existing license holders such as, architects, electrical contractors, engineers, surveyors, plumbers, HVAC installer, etc.
2. Employees of contractors who are paid in wages are exempt.
3. Suppliers who do not install or fabricate the materials.
4. Home owners who do their own work on their own land and do not intend to sell the property within 12 months.
5. Commercial building owners who maintain their own buildings with their own crews.
6. For more exemptions contact the Idaho State Contractors Board at (208) 334-3233 or www.ibol.idaho.gov/cont.

Please understand that if those who meet the above criteria and do not register with the State penalties can be assessed. Those with any questions or concerns may contact the Idaho State Contractors Board at the phone number listed above.

Applications and "Frequently Asked Questions" are available at the Clearwater County Planning & Zoning Office at 150 Michigan Ave. in Orofino or by contacting the Idaho State Contractors Board.