Idaho HVAC Contractor Exam

Idaho HVAC Contractor Exam: Complete 2026 Study Guide

You've put in the hours learning the trade. Now there's one more step between you and your Idaho HVAC contractor license: passing the exam. The Idaho HVAC Contractor exam is a 100-question, open-book test that covers everything from business law and financial management to employment regulations and contract law. Pass it, and you're cleared to run your own HVAC contracting business in Idaho. This guide walks you through exactly what to expect, which topics to prioritize, and how to study smart so you're not walking in blind on test day.

Idaho HVAC Contractor Exam Overview

The Idaho HVAC Contractor exam is administered by PSI and consists of 100 scored questions. You have 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete it — that works out to about 2.5 minutes per question, which is generous but not unlimited. The minimum passing score is 70, meaning you need to answer at least 70 questions correctly.

The exam is open book, but that doesn't mean it's easy. You're allowed to bring the Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses Contractor's Business and Law Reference Manual — but only in a specific format. It must be printed, hole-punched, and placed in a three-ring loose-leaf binder before your exam date. Pre-exam highlighting, underlining, and permanent indexing are allowed. Writing during the exam is not. Post-its and extra papers will be confiscated. Any candidate caught writing in their references or possessing unauthorized materials will have their binder seized and be reported to the Division.

Questions are multiple-choice, and the content spans 13 sections of the Contractor's Business and Law Reference Manual.

Topics Covered on the Idaho HVAC Contractor Exam

The exam draws entirely from the Contractor's Business and Law Reference Manual. Here's a breakdown of the sections and how much each one contributes to your score — which tells you exactly where to focus your prep time.

The three heaviest sections are Section 5 (Financial Management), Section 6 (Employment Law), and Section 7 (Insurance and Bonding) — each worth 20 questions. That's 60 out of 100 points right there. Then comes Section 10 (Project Management) at 10 questions, Section 9 (Contracts) at 8 questions, and Section 8 (Estimating and Bidding) at 7 questions.

The remaining sections — 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, and 13 — each carry 1–5 questions. Don't skip them, but be strategic: master the heavy hitters first.

Topic Highlights

• Section 5 covers bookkeeping, financial statements, accounting methods, financial ratios, depreciation, and cash flow management.
• Section 6 covers federal anti-discrimination laws, FMLA, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Idaho-specific employment rules, and federal contractor labor standards.
• Section 7 covers contractor insurance types, workers' comp requirements in Idaho, unemployment insurance, and surety bonds.
• Section 10 covers the five phases of project management, Critical Path Method calculations, Gantt charts, and project staffing roles.
• Section 9 covers contract elements, Idaho retention limits, the Statute of Frauds, and construction contract types.
• Section 8 covers bidding types, public works requirements, estimating, and the six parts of a detailed estimate.
• Sections 1–4 cover reasons for business failure, business structures, DOPL licensing requirements, and starting a business.
• Sections 11–13 cover OSHA recordkeeping, Idaho tax obligations, and mechanic's lien rules.

Sample Idaho HVAC Contractor Exam Questions

Here are a few examples of the types of PSI Idaho HVAC questions you'll encounter. These give you a feel for the question style — but we'll never tell you which answer is correct here. Test yourself instead.

Sample Question 1:
A contractor's income statement shows total revenues of $850,000 and total expenses of $720,000. Which financial ratio would help the contractor evaluate how efficiently the business is converting revenues into profit?

• A) Current ratio
• B) Debt-to-equity ratio
• C) Net profit margin
• D) Accounts receivable turnover

This question tests your knowledge of financial ratios from Section 5 — one of the most heavily weighted sections on the exam.

Sample Question 2:
An Idaho contractor has 15 employees and has been in operation for two years. Under OSHA recordkeeping rules, which form must be posted in the workplace each year from February 1 through April 30?

• A) OSHA Form 300
• B) OSHA Form 300A
• C) OSHA Form 301
• D) OSHA Form 200

This tests Section 11 content on OSHA recordkeeping requirements and annual posting obligations.

Want to see how you'd do under real conditions? Start with our free practice exam — no account needed, no payment required. It's a good way to gauge where you stand before you commit to a full study plan.

What Types of Questions to Expect

Here's a topic-by-topic look at what our practice question bank covers — and what those questions actually test.

• Section 1 (23 practice questions): Scenarios involving contractor business failure, poor financial management, leadership breakdowns, and bad project selection.
• Section 2 (25 practice questions): Business structure comparisons, steps to start a contracting business, employer tax responsibilities, and permit/licensing requirements.
• Section 3 (11 practice questions): Idaho-specific entity formation rules, liability distinctions between sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs, LPs, and LLCs.
• Section 4 (6 practice questions): DOPL's regulatory authority, who needs a license in Idaho, licensing consequences, and application requirements.
• Section 5 (72 practice questions): Financial statement interpretation, cash vs. accrual accounting, GAAP, financial ratio calculations (liquidity, leverage, profitability, efficiency), depreciation methods including MACRS and Section 179, and cash flow analysis.
• Section 6 (60 practice questions): Federal anti-discrimination law coverage (Title VII, ADA, ADEA, EPA, GINA, Pregnancy Discrimination Act), FMLA eligibility and qualifying events, FLSA overtime and minimum wage rules, Idaho wage payment and recordkeeping requirements, and federal contractor labor standards like Davis-Bacon.
• Section 7 (74 practice questions): Insurance types and coverage purposes, Idaho workers' comp obligations, unemployment insurance experience ratings, and the differences between bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds.
• Section 8 (45 practice questions): Open vs. closed bids, public works bidding rules, go/no-go bid decisions, types of estimates (conceptual to detailed), and the six components of a detailed estimate.
• Section 9 (42 practice questions): Contract formation elements, Idaho retention limits, Statute of Frauds requirements, and the mechanics of lump-sum, cost-plus, and time-and-materials contracts.
• Section 10 (62 practice questions): Project management phases, CPM network calculations (float, earliest/latest start dates), Gantt chart reading, and the roles of owners' reps, CMs, superintendents, and foremen.
• Section 11 (38 practice questions): OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301, fatality reporting timelines, poster requirements, small-employer exemptions, and recordable vs. non-recordable injuries.
• Section 12 (18 practice questions): Idaho sales and use tax rules, independent contractor classification, income tax filing by entity type, and employment tax withholding requirements.
• Section 13 (14 practice questions): Lien rights under Idaho Title 45, the 90-day filing rule, lien priority, enforcement timelines, and releasing a lien by surety bond.

In total, we offer 490 practice questions across all 13 sections. The full practice exam mirrors the real test: same 100-question format, same time limit, same topic breakdown, with questions drawn from a large pool so every attempt is unique.

Study Materials for the Idaho HVAC Contractor Exam

Required Reference Manual

The only reference you're permitted to bring is the Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses Contractor's Business and Law Reference Manual. Download it, print it, and get it organized before exam day. This is your single most important study tool — and your only allowed resource during the test.

Remember the binder rule: printed, hole-punched, three-ring binder. Not a spiral notebook. Not a stapled stack of papers. A three-ring loose-leaf binder.

Recommended Supplies

Since pre-exam highlighting and underlining are allowed, invest in a solid set of highlighters. The Sharpie Tank Highlighters are a smart pick — they come in 12 assorted fluorescent colors, resist smearing, and have a wide barrel with a large ink supply that holds up through a thick manual. Use a color-coding system: one color per section, or one color for definitions and another for numbers/thresholds. Just let the ink dry before highlighting additional passages to avoid smearing.

Study Tips for the Idaho HVAC Contractor Exam

Give yourself 3–6 weeks. This isn't a cram-the-night-before situation. Build a schedule and stick to it.

Use the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) as your roadmap. It tells you exactly what's tested. Study the topics in proportion to their weight on the real exam — Sections 5, 6, and 7 deserve the most time.

Practice finding information fast, not memorizing it cold. The exam is open book, which sounds like an advantage — and it is — but only if you know where everything is. Build a tab or index system in your binder so you can flip to the right page quickly.

Set your practice bar higher than the passing score. Aim for 80% or higher on practice attempts before you sit for the real thing. Three clean passes at that level gives you a real cushion on test day.

Simulate real conditions. Our full practice exam matches the actual format — 100 questions, 240 minutes, same topic distribution. Untimed PDFs are fine for studying, but they don't prepare you for time pressure. Practice under the clock.

Manage test anxiety. A little nerves before an exam is normal. If you find yourself stuck on a question, pause, take a few slow breaths, and move on — you can flag it and return. If your test center allows a short break, take it; just know the clock usually keeps running.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Idaho HVAC Contractor Exam cost?
The exam fee is $75.00. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. The fee is valid for one year from the date of payment, so don't delay scheduling once you've paid.

How many questions are on the exam, and how long do I have?
The exam has 100 questions and a 240-minute (4-hour) time limit.

What is the passing score?
You need a minimum score of 70 — that's 70 correct out of 100 questions.

How do I register for the Idaho HVAC Contractor Exam?
Register through the exam registration page, available 24 hours a day, or call PSI at 855-340-3713 during their listed hours of operation.

Is the exam open book?
Yes. You may bring the Contractor's Business and Law Reference Manual, but it must be printed, hole-punched, and placed in a three-ring loose-leaf binder before your exam date. Highlighting, underlining, and permanent tabs added before the exam are permitted. No writing during the exam, no Post-its, and no extra papers.

Can I write in my manual during the exam?
No. Writing during the exam session is strictly prohibited. Candidates caught writing in their references or found with unauthorized materials will have their binder confiscated and be reported to the Division.

What if I fail? Can I retake it?
Yes — there's no limit on retakes. You'll pay the $75 fee for each attempt. Use your score report to identify weak areas and adjust your prep before rescheduling.

What ID do I need to bring?
One valid, government-issued photo ID with your name, signature, and photograph — such as a driver's license, U.S. passport, military ID, state ID card, or alien registration card. Temporary IDs are not accepted unless accompanied by the original expired ID.

How early should I arrive?
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Late arrivals will not be admitted and will forfeit their exam fee.

How do I cancel or reschedule?
You can cancel or reschedule without losing your fee if you give at least 2 days' notice before your exam date. Contact PSI by phone or through the PSI website — voicemail and email are not accepted cancellation methods.

Ready to Get Your Idaho HVAC Contractor License?

Passing the Idaho HVAC Contractor exam is absolutely within reach — it just takes the right preparation. Print and organize your manual, color-code your key sections with Sharpie highlighters, and start practicing under real conditions. Get comfortable finding information fast rather than memorizing it cold.

Begin today with our free practice exam — 10 questions, no signup required, no cost. It's the fastest way to see where you stand. When you're ready to go deeper, upgrade to the full practice exam for 100 questions, a 4-hour timer, and a detailed score breakdown by topic so you know exactly where to focus next. You've got this.