Amends and adds to existing law to provide for equivalency between high school graduation and graduation from a nonpublic school for licensing requirements.

LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE SENATE SENATE BILL NO. 1285 BY COMMERCE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS FOR OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE;2 AMENDING CHAPTER 94, TITLE 67, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW3 SECTION 67-9419, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR HOME SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL4 DIPLOMA EQUIVALENCY RELATING TO OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING; AMENDING SEC-5 TION 54-606, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME6 SCHOOL AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 54-1112,7 IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL AND TO8 MAKE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION; AMENDING SECTION 54-1113, IDAHO CODE, TO9 PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL10 CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 54-1606, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR GRAD-11 UATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL; AMENDING SECTION 54-2012, IDAHO CODE,12 TO PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL AND TO MAKE TECHNI-13 CAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 54-2409, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR14 GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS;15 AMENDING SECTION 54-2916, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION FROM AN16 IDAHO HOME SCHOOL; AMENDING SECTION 54-2916A, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE17 FOR GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL; AMENDING SECTION 54-2916B,18 IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL; AMEND-19 ING SECTION 54-3108, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION FROM AN20 IDAHO HOME SCHOOL AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION21 54-3109, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL22 AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 54-4009, IDAHO23 CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL AND TO MAKE A24 TECHNICAL CORRECTION; AMENDING SECTION 54-4307, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE25 FOR GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORREC-26 TIONS; AMENDING SECTION 54-5406, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION27 FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL; AMENDING SECTION 54-5802, IDAHO CODE, TO28 PROVIDE FOR GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL AND TO MAKE TECHNI-29 CAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 54-5810, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR30 GRADUATION FROM AN IDAHO HOME SCHOOL; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND31 PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.32

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:33

SECTION 1. That Chapter 94, Title 67, Idaho Code, be, and the same is34 hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des-35 ignated as Section 67-9419, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:36 67-9419. HOME SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA EQUIVALENCY. Notwithstand-37 ing any provision of law to the contrary, in determining qualifications for38 licensure, a licensing authority shall regard a person who is twenty-one39 (21) years of age or older and who has earned a home school high school40 diploma as possessing the equivalent of:41 (1) Graduation from an accredited high school;42

2 (2) A high school diploma; or1 (3) A GED.2

SECTION 2. That Section 54-606, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby3 amended to read as follows:4 54-606. STATE BOARD OF PODIATRY -- EXAMINATION FOR LICENSES. (1) Every5 person, except as hereinafter provided, desiring to commence the practice6 of podiatry within this state shall make written application to the state7 board of podiatry upon on forms to be prescribed and furnished by the board8 for a license so to do. Such applications shall be accompanied by a fee as9 established by board rule not to exceed four hundred dollars ($400). Each10 applicant shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, shall not have been11 convicted, found guilty, or received a withheld judgment or a suspended sen-12 tence in this state or in any other state of a crime that is deemed relevant13 in accordance with section 67-9411(1), Idaho Code, shall have completed14 an accredited podiatric residency as defined by board rule, and shall be a15 graduate of some a reputable school of podiatry accredited by the board. A16 reputable school of podiatry for the purposes herein shall mean a school of17 podiatry requiring for graduation the graduation from an accredited high18 school or an Idaho home school, credits granted for at least two (2) full19 years of general college study in a college or university of recognized20 standing, and four (4) full years of study in such school of podiatry or its21 equivalent.22 (2) Each applicant shall take and pass a competency exam approved by23 board rule. The examination shall test for entry-level competency to pro-24 vide podiatric medical services.25 (3) The examination fee shall not exceed the amount charged by the26 board-approved exam provider. The applicant shall pay the examination fee27 directly to the exam provider.28

SECTION 3. That Section 54-1112, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby29 amended to read as follows:30 54-1112. REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENT TRAINEE LICENSE. The board shall31 issue to any person a resident trainee license to practice as a resident32 trainee and perform services at a particular establishment under the per-33 sonal supervision of a specified licensed mortician within the state of34 Idaho who has complied with and fulfilled all of the following requirements:35 (1) Has attained the age of eighteen (18) years of age, and is a resident36 of the state of Idaho.37 (2) Has not been convicted, found guilty, or received a withheld judg-38 ment or a suspended sentence in this state or in any other state of a crime39 that is deemed relevant in accordance with section 67-9411(1), Idaho Code.40 (3) Has graduated from an accredited high school or an Idaho home school41 or has received an equivalent education as determined by the standards set42 and established by the state board of education.43 (4) Has filed an application with the board as required by this chap-44 ter and paid the required filing fee. Provided further, that the board shall45 make the determination of qualifications of all applicants within a reason-46 able time after the filing of an application with the board. Provided fur-47

3 ther, no person shall be eligible to be licensed as a resident trainee for1 a total cumulative period of more than three (3) years in the state of Idaho2 unless approved by the board for good cause. The three (3) year limitation3 includes all time practicing as a resident trainee or apprentice for a morti-4 cian license, funeral director license, or both.5

SECTION 4. That Section 54-1113, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby6 amended to read as follows:7 54-1113. APPLICATION FOR LICENSE -- FORM AND CONTENTS -- CERTIFIED8 COPIES OF DOCUMENTS SHOWING QUALIFICATIONS. All applications for all li-9 censes to be issued under pursuant to the provisions of this act chapter10 shall be filed with the board, together with the required filing fee, upon11 such forms as prescribed by the board of morticians, and shall contain state-12 ments of facts relating to each of the qualifications prescribed in this13 act chapter for which the license is sought as well as any other informa-14 tion specified by the board of morticians. The board may require, as part15 of the application, certified copies of documents showing compliance with16 the requirements for the license sought by the application, including but17 not limited to certified copies of diplomas or graduation certificates from18 high schools, colleges and embalming colleges, certified copies of birth19 certificates, and certified copies of articles of incorporation. For the20 purposes of this section, a document proving graduation from an Idaho home21 school shall satisfy the requirement for a high school diploma or graduation22 certificate. The application shall also list and describe the location of23 court records of any felony of which the applicant has been convicted in a24 court of law. All applications shall be signed by the applicant who shall25 verify the contents thereof under oath. All applications shall remain with26 the board and be a permanent record in that office.27 Applications for the renewal of licenses shall be in such abbreviated28 form as prescribed by the board and shall require any information specified29 by the board of morticians.30

SECTION 5. That Section 54-1606, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby31 amended to read as follows:32 54-1606. QUALIFICATIONS FOR EXAMINATION FOR LICENSE. (1) The board33 shall approve for the licensing examination any long-term care administra-34 tor candidate who:35 (a) Submits the required application and pays a fee as determined by the36 board;37 (b) Has not been convicted, found guilty, or received a withheld judg-38 ment or a suspended sentence in this state or any other state of a crime39 deemed relevant in accordance with section 67-9411(1), Idaho Code; and40 (c) Meets the specific age, education, and experience requirements for41 the type of care facility as outlined in subsections (2) and (3) of this42 section.43 (2)(a) For residential care facility administrators, the candidate44 must:45 (i) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;46

4 (ii) Submit evidence of successfully completing specialized1 courses or a program of study in residential care facility admin-2 istration as approved by the board; and3 (iii) Meet one (1) of the following combinations of education and4 experience:5 1. A high school diploma or equivalent, including proof6 of graduation from an Idaho home school, and eight hundred7 (800) hours of on-site experience in a residential care fa-8 cility under the supervision of a licensed administrator;9 2. An associate degree from an accredited college or univer-10 sity and four hundred (400) hours of on-site experience in11 a residential care facility under the supervision of a li-12 censed administrator; or13 3. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or uni-14 versity and two hundred (200) hours of on-site experience in15 a residential care facility under the supervision of a li-16 censed administrator.17 (b) Alternatively, a candidate who does not meet the education and18 experience requirements may submit evidence of satisfactory practical19 experience obtained in residential care facility administration or in a20 medical or health care facility as approved by the board.21 (3)(a) For nursing home administrators, the candidate must:22 (i) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;23 (ii) Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution24 of higher learning or its equivalent; and25 (iii) Complete an administrator-in-training program as described26 in section 54-1612, Idaho Code.27 (b) Alternatively, a candidate who does not meet the educational re-28 quirements may submit evidence of obtaining two (2) years of satisfac-29 tory practical experience in management in a nursing home for each year30 of required post-high school education.31

SECTION 6. That Section 54-2012, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby32 amended to read as follows:33 54-2012. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PRIMARY IDAHO LI-34 CENSE. (1) Requirements for all individual primary licenses. Unless a35 qualification is waived or modified by the commission for good cause and36 upon special consideration, and except as provided in section 54-2015, Idaho37 Code, each person seeking a primary Idaho real estate license as a salesper-38 son, associate broker, or designated broker shall meet all of the following39 minimum qualifications:40 (a) Be an individual;41 (b) Be eighteen (18) years of age or older;42 (c) Furnish satisfactory proof that the applicant graduated from an ac-43 credited high school or its equivalent, including an Idaho home school,44 or holds a certificate of general education;45 (d) Not have had a real estate or other professional or occupational46 license suspended or surrendered, or the renewal refused, for a disci-47 plinary violation involving fraud, misrepresentation, or dishonest or48 dishonorable dealing in Idaho or any other jurisdiction within five (5)49

5 years immediately prior to the date the application for license is sub-1 mitted to the commission;2 (e) Not have had a real estate or other professional or occupational li-3 cense revoked for a disciplinary violation involving fraud, misrepre-4 sentation, or dishonest or dishonorable dealing in Idaho or any other5 jurisdiction; provided that, after a period of five (5) years from the6 date the license was revoked, the applicant may make a written request7 to the commission for an exemption review to determine the applicant's8 suitability for licensure, which the commission shall determine in ac-9 cordance with the following:10 (i) The exemption review shall consist of a review of any docu-11 ments relating to the disciplinary action that resulted in the li-12 cense revocation and any supplemental information provided by the13 applicant regarding his suitability for licensure. The commis-14 sion may, at its discretion, grant an interview of the applicant.15 (ii) During the review, the commission shall consider the follow-16 ing factors and evidence:17 1. The severity or nature of the disciplinary violation for18 which the applicant's license was revoked;19 2. The period of time that has passed since the disciplinary20 violation occurred;21 3. The existence, number, and pattern of any other miscon-22 duct for which the applicant has been disciplined;23 4. The circumstances surrounding the disciplinary viola-24 tion that would help the commission determine the risk of25 repetition;26 5. The relationship of the disciplinary violation to the li-27 censed practice of real estate; and28 6. The applicant's activities since the disciplinary vio-29 lation under review, such as employment, education, partic-30 ipation in treatment, payment of restitution, or any other31 factors that may be evidence of current rehabilitation.32 (iii) The applicant shall bear the burden of establishing his cur-33 rent suitability for licensure.34 (f) Not have been convicted of or completed any sentence of confine-35 ment for or on account of any misdemeanor involving fraud, misrepresen-36 tation, or dishonest or dishonorable dealing in a state or federal court37 within five (5) years immediately prior to the date the application for38 license is submitted to the commission;39 (g) Not have been convicted of any felony in a state or federal court40 or convicted by military general court-martial; provided that, after a41 period of five (5) years from the date the person was convicted or com-42 pleted any term of probation, sentence or confinement, or period of pa-43 role, whichever is later, the applicant may make written request to the44 commission for an exemption review to determine the applicant's suit-45 ability for licensure, which the commission shall determine in accor-46 dance with the following:47 (i) The exemption review shall consist of a review of any docu-48 ments relating to the felony and any supplemental information pro-49 vided by the applicant regarding his suitability for licensure.50

6 The commission may, at its discretion, grant an interview of the1 applicant.2 (ii) During the review, the commission shall consider the follow-3 ing factors or evidence:4 1. The severity or nature of the felony;5 2. The period of time that has passed since the felony under6 review;7 3. The number or pattern of felonies or other similar inci-8 dents;9 4. The circumstances surrounding the crime that would help10 determine the risk of repetition;11 5. The relationship of the crime to the licensed practice of12 real estate; and13 6. The applicant's activities since the crime under review,14 such as employment, education, participation in treatment,15 payment of restitution, or any other factors that may be evi-16 dence of current rehabilitation.17 (iii) The applicant shall bear the burden of establishing his cur-18 rent suitability for licensure.19 (h) Complete all prelicense education requirements, as provided for in20 section 54-2022, Idaho Code, for a salesperson's or broker's license;21 (i) Pass the commission-approved real estate licensing exam for a sales22 or broker license in the time and manner stated in section 54-2014,23 Idaho Code, and pay the required exam fees;24 (j) Be fingerprinted for the purpose of a national criminal history25 check to determine whether the applicant is qualified for licensure26 in accordance with section 67-9411A, Idaho Code. If the fingerprints27 are returned to the commission as illegible, the applicant shall, upon28 request from the commission, be fingerprinted again and file the new29 fingerprints with the commission;30 (k) Sign and file with the commission an irrevocable consent to ser-31 vice, appointing the commission's executive director to act as the li-32 censee's agent, upon on whom all judicial and other process or legal no-33 tices directed to such licensee may be served, and consenting that any34 lawful process against the licensee that is served upon on the executive35 director shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served upon36 on the licensee and that the authority shall continue in force as long37 as any liability remains outstanding in this state. Upon receipt of any38 such process or notice, the executive director shall immediately mail a39 copy of the same by certified mail to the last known address of the li-40 censee. All licensees shall provide the commission a full and current41 mailing address and shall notify the commission in writing of any change42 in mailing address within ten (10) business days of the change;43 (l) If licensing as an active salesperson or associate broker, provide44 the name and physical address of the main business location of the des-45 ignated broker with whom the applicant will be licensed and the signa-46 ture of that broker; or, if licensing as a designated broker, provide47 the name and physical address of the main business location. No Idaho48 sales associate may be licensed under or associated with more than one49 (1) Idaho broker at a time;50

7 (m) Submit a properly completed application and all license, applica-1 tion, and other fees listed in section 54-2020, Idaho Code, or as other-2 wise required by statute or rule; and3 (n) Provide satisfactory proof of meeting the mandatory errors and4 omissions insurance requirement for real estate licensees as stated in5 section 54-2013, Idaho Code.6 (2) Additional requirements for broker and associate broker licenses.7 Applicants seeking a primary Idaho license as a broker or associate broker8 shall meet the additional following qualifications:9 (a) Provide satisfactory evidence of having been actively engaged, on10 a full-time basis, for two (2) years as a licensed real estate sales-11 person within the last five (5) years immediately prior to the date12 upon on which the individual makes application. Such evidence shall13 demonstrate the productiveness of the licensed activity to have been14 generally commensurate with that of other licensees practicing in a15 similar capacity. Listings, sales, options, or other licensed activ-16 ities may be considered by the commission in determining whether the17 applicant meets this qualification.18 (i) A broker or associate broker applicant may be required to fur-19 nish a report of listings and sales accomplished by the applicant20 during two (2) or more years within the last five (5) years of li-21 censure immediately prior to the application date;22 (ii) This report shall be certified as correct by the broker or23 brokers with whom the applicant has been associated; provided,24 however, that upon preapproval by the commission, the applicant25 may verify that the report is correct in an alternative manner;26 (iii) The broker experience requirement may be modified or re-27 duced, in whole or in part, at the discretion of the commission,28 based on the applicant's educational background or experience in29 related or affiliated business activities;30 (iv) The commission, in its discretion, may make such additional31 investigation and inquiry relative to the applicant as it shall32 deem advisable;33 (b) Designate a physical office location and a business name. The com-34 mission may refuse to issue a license to any person if the business name35 is the same as that of any person whose license has been suspended or re-36 voked or is so similar as to be easily confused with another licensee's37 name by members of the general public. However, nothing in this para-38 graph shall restrict an individual from obtaining a license in his or39 her own legal name.40 (c) If currently licensed in Idaho as a salesperson and applying for41 a license as an Idaho broker or associate broker, the individual shall42 submit a new fingerprint card for processing in accordance with section43 67-9411A, Idaho Code, and pay associated fees.44

SECTION 7. That Section 54-2409, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby45 amended to read as follows:46 54-2409. APPLICATION FORM -- LICENSE CATEGORIES -- QUALIFICATIONS47 FOR REGISTRATION AND LICENSE. (1) The board shall approve an application48 form for the use of applicants. Each applicant shall submit an original49

8 application to the board and provide information and documentation as the1 board may require, including, but not limited to, information relating to2 the education and experience of the applicant. The board shall accept for3 review the complete application of any person whose application, accompa-4 nied by the necessary documentation and fees, is submitted. The board shall5 carefully evaluate each application, and shall approve the registration6 and issuance of a license to any applicant who has not been convicted, found7 guilty, or received a withheld judgment or suspended sentence in this state8 or in any other state of a crime deemed relevant in accordance with section9 67-9411(1), Idaho Code, and who has met the education, experience, and10 examination requirements set forth in this chapter and the rules adopted11 pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. If the board finds upon, on the12 basis of evidence submitted, and in accordance with the provisions of this13 chapter, that the applicant does not meet the requirements, the application14 shall be denied and any fees submitted shall not be refunded.15 (2) The board shall issue licenses in the following categories:16 (a) Drinking water distribution operator and drinking water treatment17 operator classes;18 (b) Wastewater treatment operator, wastewater collection system oper-19 ator, and wastewater laboratory analyst classes;20 (c) Backflow assembly tester.21 (3) Each applicant for licensure as a water system operator or wastewa-22 ter system operator shall submit to the board a complete application with the23 required fee and provide documentation of having met the following require-24 ments prior to being considered for a license:25 (a) Be a lawful resident of the United States;26 (b) Possess a high school diploma, GED, or the equivalent, including27 graduation from an Idaho home school;28 (c) Document additional education as outlined by rule;29 (d) Document such experience as is required by rule;30 (e) Successful completion of and a passing grade on the required exami-31 nation; and32 (f) Other such requirements as may be determined by board rule.33

SECTION 8. That Section 54-2916, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby34 amended to read as follows:35 54-2916. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE -- HEARING AID DEALER AND FIT-36 TER. To be eligible for licensure as a hearing aid dealer and fitter, the ap-37 plicant shall:38 (1) Provide verification acceptable to the board of:39 (a) Being at least twenty-one (21) years of age;40 (b) Never having had a license revoked or otherwise sanctioned as part41 of disciplinary action from this or any other state;42 (c) Never having been convicted, found guilty, or received a withheld43 judgment or suspended sentence in this state or in any other state of44 a crime that is deemed relevant in accordance with section 67-9411(1),45 Idaho Code; and46 (d) Never having been found by the board to have engaged in conduct47 prohibited by this chapter, provided however, the board may take into48

9 consideration the rehabilitation of the applicant and other mitigating1 circumstances when considering applications for licensure;2 (2) Provide educational documentation satisfactory to the board that3 the applicant has successfully graduated from a four (4) year course at an4 accredited high school or the equivalent, including graduation from an Idaho5 home school; and6 (3) Provide documentation that the applicant has successfully passed7 an examination approved by the board.8

SECTION 9. That Section 54-2916A, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby9 amended to read as follows:10 54-2916A. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE -- SIGN LANGUAGE INTER-11 PRETER. To be eligible for licensure as a sign language interpreter, the12 applicant shall:13 (1) File a written application with the board on forms prescribed and14 furnished by the board. A nonrefundable application fee shall accompany the15 completed written application. Such fees shall be established by the admin-16 istrative rules of the board and shall be in such amounts as are reasonable17 and necessary for the proper execution and enforcement of this chapter;18 (2) Provide verification acceptable to the board of the following:19 (a) Never having had a license or certification revoked or otherwise20 sanctioned as part of disciplinary action from this or any other state;21 (b) Never having been convicted of, found guilty of, or received a22 withheld judgment or a suspended sentence in this state or in any other23 state for any crime that is deemed relevant in accordance with section24 67-9411(1), Idaho Code; and25 (c) Never having been found by the board to have engaged in conduct pro-26 hibited by this chapter.27 The board may take into consideration the rehabilitation of the applicant28 and other mitigating circumstances when considering applications for licen-29 sure.30 (3) Provide evidence satisfactory to the board of having successfully31 passed a nationally recognized competency examination approved by the board32 or achieved certification defined by board rule;33 (4) Provide educational documentation satisfactory to the board that34 the applicant has successfully graduated from a four (4) year course at an35 accredited high school, including graduation from an Idaho home school, or36 the equivalent; and37 (5) Provide documentation that the applicant has successfully passed38 an examination approved by the board.39

SECTION 10. That Section 54-2916B, Idaho Code, be, and the same is40 hereby amended to read as follows:41 54-2916B. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE -- VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRET-42 ING PROVIDER. To be eligible for licensure as a video remote interpreting43 provider, the applicant shall:44 (1) File a written application with the board on forms prescribed and45 furnished by the board. A nonrefundable application fee shall accompany the46 completed written application. Such fees shall be established by the admin-47

10 istrative rules of the board, subject to legislative approval, and shall be1 in such amounts as are reasonable and necessary for the proper execution and2 enforcement of this chapter;3 (2) Provide a roster of all employed sign language interpreters; and4 (3) Provide verification acceptable to the board that all employed sign5 language interpreters meet the qualifications of a sign language inter-6 preter in this state and have:7 (a) Successfully passed a nationally recognized competency examina-8 tion approved by the board or achieved certification as defined by board9 rule;10 (b) Successfully graduated from a four (4) year course at an accred-11 ited high school, including graduation from an Idaho home school, or the12 equivalent;13 (c) Successfully passed an examination approved by the board;14 (d) Never had a license or certification revoked or otherwise sanc-15 tioned as part of disciplinary action from this or any other state;16 (e) Never been convicted of, found guilty of, or received a with-17 held judgment or a suspended sentence in this state or in any other18 state for any crime that is deemed relevant in accordance with section19 67-9411(1), Idaho Code;20 (f) Never been found by the board to have engaged in conduct prohibited21 by this chapter;22 (g) Maintained required continuing education units under nationally23 recognized certification or other certification recognized by the24 board; and25 (h) Knowledge of and compliance with the provisions of this chapter.26

SECTION 11. That Section 54-3108, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby27 amended to read as follows:28 54-3108. QUALIFICATIONS -- REQUIRED EXAMINATION -- RENEWAL OF CER-29 TIFICATES. (1) Applicants for certification must take and pass the Idaho30 certified shorthand reporter examination. Alternatively, applicants for31 certification must provide proof, satisfactory to the board, of having32 passed one (1) of the following examinations within the two (2) years prior33 to the date of the application:34 (a) The registered professional reporter (RPR) examination;35 (b) The registered merit reporter (RMR) examination;36 (c) The registered diplomate reporter (RDR) examination;37 (d) The certified realtime reporter (CRR) examination; or38 (e) The certified realtime captioner (CRC) examination.39 (2) Any applicant who is a lawful resident of the United States, who40 has not been convicted, found guilty, or received a withheld judgment or a41 suspended sentence in this state or in any other state of a crime that is42 deemed relevant in accordance with section 67-9411(1), Idaho Code, and who43 has graduated from an accredited high school or from an Idaho home school44 or has an equivalent education, shall be entitled to receive a certificate45 as a certified shorthand reporter upon payment of the fees required by this46 chapter. All applications shall be in such form as prescribed by the board47 and filed with the board at least thirty (30) days prior to the announced48 date of the reporter examination. The board, in its discretion, may make49

11 such additional investigation and inquiry, or require additional informa-1 tion from the applicant, as it shall deem necessary in determining the qual-2 ifications of the applicant. The board shall thereupon notify the applicant3 as to whether their such application to take the reporter examination is ac-4 cepted.5 (3) All certified shorthand reporter certificates shall be issued for a6 period of two (2) years and shall be renewable upon payment of a renewal fee.7 The renewal and reinstatement of all certificates issued under pursuant to8 the provisions of this chapter shall be in accordance with section 67-2614,9 Idaho Code.10

SECTION 12. That Section 54-3109, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby11 amended to read as follows:12 54-3109. QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEMPORARY PERMIT -- RENEWAL. (1) A tempo-13 rary certified shorthand reporter permit may be issued to an applicant who14 pays the required fees and who:15 (a) Has not been convicted, found guilty, or received a withheld judg-16 ment or a suspended sentence in this state or in any other state of a17 crime that is deemed relevant in accordance with section 67-9411(1),18 Idaho Code; and19 (b) Has graduated from an accredited high school or from an Idaho home20 school or has an equivalent education; and21 (i) Is currently licensed in good standing in another state as22 a certified shorthand reporter, or its equivalent, or has other-23 wise demonstrated proficiency by a certificate from an agency of24 another state; or25 (ii) Has graduated from a national court reporters association26 (NCRA)-approved school.27 (2) The application shall be upon such forms as are prescribed by the28 board and the board may, in its discretion, make additional investigation29 and inquiry, or require further information from the applicant, as it shall30 deem necessary in order to make a determination of the qualifications of the31 applicant.32 (3) An individual shall only be issued only one (1) temporary certified33 shorthand reporter permit. The permit shall be valid for a period of one (1)34 year and may be renewed for a single additional period of one (1) year upon35 the payment of required fees and upon a showing of just cause.36

SECTION 13. That Section 54-4009, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby37 amended to read as follows:38 54-4009. REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OF LICENSE. Upon application to39 the board and the payment of the required fees, an applicant may be licensed40 as a massage therapist if the applicant meets all the requirements of this41 chapter and provides documentation acceptable to the board that he or she the42 applicant:43 (1) Has obtained a high school diploma or equivalent, including gradua-44 tion from an Idaho home school;45 (2) Is eighteen (18) years of age or older;46

12 (3) Has not been convicted, found guilty, or received a withheld judg-1 ment or a suspended sentence in this state or in any other state of a crime2 that is deemed relevant in accordance with section 67-9411(1), Idaho Code;3 (4) Has successfully completed a massage program registered pursuant4 to chapter 24, title 33, Idaho Code, or a comparable authority in another5 state that consists of the minimum of five hundred (500) in-class supervised6 hours of coursework and clinic work; and7 (5) Has successfully passed a nationally recognized competency exami-8 nation in massage therapy that is approved by the board. The passage of this9 exam may have occurred prior to the effective date of this chapter.10

SECTION 14. That Section 54-4307, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby11 amended to read as follows:12 54-4307. POLYSOMNOGRAPHY-RELATED RESPIRATORY CARE. (1) Only persons13 who are licensed as respiratory care practitioners or who are exempt from14 licensure pursuant to section 54-4312, Idaho Code, or who hold a permit is-15 sued by the board under pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may pro-16 vide polysomnography-related respiratory care services.17 (2) An applicant for a permit to provide polysomnography-related res-18 piratory care services must:19 (a) Submit an application to the board on forms prescribed by the board20 and pay the permit fee required under pursuant to this chapter;21 (b) Not have been convicted of an offense or disciplined by a licensing22 body in a manner that bears, in the judgment of the board, a demonstra-23 ble relationship to the provision of polysomnography-related respira-24 tory care services;25 (c) Be a high school graduate, have graduated from an Idaho home school,26 or have passed a general educational development (GED) examination and27 earned a GED certificate; and28 (d) Be currently certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.29 (3) A polysomnographic technologist applicant must have successfully30 completed the certification examination approved by the board.31 (4) A polysomnographic technician applicant must have successfully32 completed a polysomnography program of not less than one (1) year duration,33 associated with a nationally accredited educational facility.34

SECTION 15. That Section 54-5406, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby35 amended to read as follows:36 54-5406. DRIVING INSTRUCTORS -- REQUIREMENTS. (1) Each person apply-37 ing for a driving instructor license must complete an application provided38 by the division of occupational and professional licenses that requires39 the applicant to be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and have a high40 school diploma or equivalent, including proof of graduation from an Idaho41 home school, a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record from42 the jurisdiction from which the license was issued, a satisfactory finger-43 print-based criminal history check in accordance with section 67-9411A,44 Idaho Code, a medical certificate, and any required completed coursework.45 Licensees shall certify that they hold a current medical certificate at the46 time of license renewal.47

13 (2) Every new applicant for a license pursuant to this chapter shall1 have completed a board-approved apprenticeship training program of no fewer2 than thirty (30) hours of classroom instruction and fifty (50) hours of be-3 hind-the-wheel training. The board may waive, as a whole or either part, the4 apprenticeship for an applicant who holds a current, active and unrestricted5 equivalent instructor license from another state or who has the requisite6 training and experience as demonstrated in a manner established by board7 rule. Such applicant shall submit supporting documentation with the com-8 pleted application and shall meet all other requirements in this chapter and9 in board rule.10

SECTION 16. That Section 54-5802, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby11 amended to read as follows:12 54-5802. DEFINITIONS. As used in this chapter:13 (1) "Apprentice" means a person registered with the barber and cosme-14 tology services licensing board to learn an occupation in a licensed estab-15 lishment who, while so learning, performs or assists in performing any prac-16 tices of barbering, barber-styling, cosmetology, or electrology.17 (2) "Barber" means a person licensed to practice barbering as defined18 in this section.19 (3) "Barbering" means any one (1) or any combination of the following20 practices when performed on the upper part of the human body for cosmetic21 purposes and not for the treatment of disease or physical or mental ailments:22 (a) Shaving the face or cutting, trimming, arranging, dressing, curl-23 ing, cleansing, singeing or performing similar work on the hair;24 (b) Fitting, cutting or dressing hairpieces or toupees;25 (c) Giving facial and scalp massages or treatments with oils, creams,26 lotions or other preparations, either by hand or by a mechanical appli-27 ance; and28 (d) Applying cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, powders, oils, clays29 or lotions to the scalp, face, and neck.30 (4) "Barber-styling" means any one (1) or any combination of the fol-31 lowing practices when performed on the upper part of the human body for cos-32 metic purposes and not for the treatment of disease or physical or mental33 ailments:34 (a) Shaving the face or cutting, trimming, arranging, dressing, curl-35 ing, waving by any method, straightening, cleansing, singeing, bleach-36 ing, coloring or performing similar work on the hair;37 (b) Fitting, cutting or dressing hairpieces or toupees;38 (c) Giving facial and scalp massages or treatments with oils, creams,39 lotions or other preparations, either by hand or by a mechanical appli-40 ance; and41 (d) Applying cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, powders, oils, clays42 or lotions to the scalp, face, and neck.43 (5) "Barber-stylist" means a person licensed to practice bar-44 ber-styling as defined in this section.45 (6) "Board" means the barber and cosmetology services licensing board46 established by section 54-5806, Idaho Code.47 (7) "Cosmetologist" means a person licensed to practice cosmetology as48 defined in this section.49

14 (8) "Cosmetology" means any one (1) or any combination of the following1 practices when performed on the human body for cosmetic purposes and not for2 the treatment of disease or physical or mental ailments:3 (a) Cutting, trimming, arranging, dressing, curling, waving by any4 method, cleansing, singeing, bleaching, coloring or performing similar5 work on the hair, except as provided for in subsection (25) (24) of this6 section; (23)7 (b) Fitting, cutting or dressing hairpieces or toupees;8 (c) Noninvasive care of the skin by application of cosmetic prepa-9 rations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams and essential oils10 to cleanse, massage, exfoliate, hydrate and stimulate; makeup ap-11 plication; pore extraction; use of chemical exfoliants approved for12 professional esthetic use; particle exfoliation; use of any class I13 medical device, as classified by the United States food and drug admin-14 istration, designed for care of the skin, except that a class II medical15 device designed for care of the skin may be used as directed and super-16 vised by an authorized and licensed health care practitioner; temporary17 removal of superfluous hair by lotions, creams, waxing, tweezing, de-18 pilatories or other means; and tinting or perming the eyebrows and19 eyelashes; and20 (d) Manicuring and pedicuring nails and applying artificial nails.21 (9) "Division" means the division of occupational and professional li-22 censes.23 (10) "Electrologist" means a person licensed to practice electrology,24 as defined in this section, and skilled in the permanent removal of unwanted25 hair.26 (11) "Electrology" or "electrolysis" means the permanent removal of27 hair by destroying the hair-producing cells of the skin and vascular system28 through the use of equipment and devices approved by and registered with the29 United States food and drug administration.30 (12) "Establishment" means a place licensed under this chapter, other31 than a licensed school, where barbering, barber-styling, cosmetology or32 electrology is practiced.33 (13) "Esthetician" means a person licensed to practice esthetics as de-34 fined in this section.35 (14) "Esthetics" means noninvasive care of the skin by application of36 cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams and essential37 oils to cleanse, massage, exfoliate, hydrate and stimulate; makeup applica-38 tion; pore extraction; use of chemical exfoliants approved for professional39 esthetic use; particle exfoliation; use of any class I medical device, as40 classified by the United States food and drug administration, designed for41 care of the skin, except that a class II medical device designed for care42 of the skin may be used as directed and supervised by an authorized and li-43 censed health care practitioner; temporary removal of superfluous hair by44 lotions, creams, waxing, tweezing, depilatories or other means; and tinting45 or perming the eyebrows and eyelashes.46 (15) "Haircutting" means cutting, trimming, arranging, dressing, curl-47 ing, cleansing, singeing or performing similar work on the hair and fitting,48 cutting or dressing hairpieces or toupees.49

15 (16) "Hairpieces or toupees" means a full or partial head covering that1 is made from natural or synthetic hair that is affixed to a person's scalp,2 hair, or head with an adhesive agent such as glue, tape, keratin bonds, fu-3 sion bonds, or other bonding agent, and is worn during activities such as4 sleep, exercise, and bathing.5 (17) "High school student" means a person who has completed the first6 two (2) years of high school and is enrolled in a high school or secondary7 school licensed under this chapter or who attends an Idaho home high school.8 (18) "Instructor" means a person licensed under this chapter to prac-9 tice and teach any practice defined in this section.10 (19) "Instructor trainee" means a barber, barber-stylist or cosmetol-11 ogist attending a licensed school to receive training to teach barbering,12 barber-styling or cosmetology.13 (20) "Licensed school" means a secondary or postsecondary barber, cos-14 metology, or electrology school that:15 (a) Is licensed under its official name by the barber and cosmetology16 services licensing board; and17 (b) Admits as students only those individuals who meet the requirements18 of section 54-5810(1)(b), Idaho Code.19 (22) (21) "Makeup artistry" means noninvasive care of the skin by appli-20 cation of cosmetic preparations for cleansing and the application of makeup,21 which includes the application of cosmetics or any pigment product that is22 used to cover, camouflage or decorate the skin.23 (23) (22) "Nail technician" means a person licensed to practice nail24 technology as defined in this section.25 (24) (23) "Nail technology" means any one (1) or more of the following26 practices when performed on the human body:27 (a) Manicuring and pedicuring nails;28 (b) Applying artificial nails; and29 (c) Massaging the hands and feet.30 (25) (24) "Natural hair braiding" means the service of twisting, wrap-31 ping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding hair by hand or with a mechan-32 ical device.33 (a) "Natural hair braiding" includes:34 (i) The use of natural or synthetic hair extensions, natural or35 synthetic hair and fibers, and decorative beads and other hair ac-36 cessories;37 (ii) Minor trimming of natural hair or hair extensions incidental38 to twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding39 hair;40 (iii) The making of wigs from natural hair, natural fibers, syn-41 thetic fibers, and hair extensions; and42 (iv) The use of topical agents, such as conditioners, gels,43 moisturizers, oils, pomades, and shampoos, in conjunction with44 performing services under subparagraphs (i) or (ii) of this para-45 graph.46 (b) "Natural hair braiding" does not include:47 (i) The application of dyes, reactive chemicals, or other prepa-48 rations to alter the color of the hair or to straighten, curl, or49 alter the structure of the hair; or50

16 (ii) The use of chemical hair joining agents, such as synthetic1 tape, keratin bonds, or fusion bonds.2 (26) (25) "Retail cosmetics dealer" means a stationary business offer-3 ing cosmetic products for sale at retail to the general public in which the4 business's employees apply cosmetic products to customers' faces in connec-5 tion with the sale or attempted sale of the products without compensation6 from the customer other than the regular price of the products.7 (28) (26) "Student" means a person learning barbering, barber-styling,8 cosmetology or electrology at a licensed school who, while so learning, per-9 forms or assists in performing any practices of barbering, barber-styling,10 cosmetology or electrology.11 (29) (27) "Wig" means a removable head covering that is made from nat-12 ural hair, natural fibers that resemble hair, or synthetic fibers that re-13 semble hair. A wig is not affixed to a person's scalp or hair using an adhe-14 sive agent such as glue, tape, keratin bonds, fusion bonds, or other bonding15 agent.16

SECTION 17. That Section 54-5810, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby17 amended to read as follows:18 54-5810. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE -- INSTRUCTORS -- APPRENTICES19 -- STUDENTS. (1) To qualify for licensure under this chapter, an applicant20 for licensure must:21 (a) Be at least sixteen and one-half (16 1/2) years of age at the time of22 application;23 (b) Have completed at least two (2) years of high school or have at-24 tained an equivalent education as determined by the board, which shall25 include an equivalent amount of education in an Idaho home school;26 (c) Pass an examination for the occupation in which the applicant is27 seeking licensure, which examination shall be conducted or approved by28 the board; and29 (d) Prove to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant has not30 engaged in conduct that would constitute grounds for discipline under31 section 54-5823, Idaho Code.32 (2) Except as otherwise provided, and in addition to the requirements33 listed in subsection (1) of this section, an applicant for licensure:34 (a) As a barber, must have:35 (i) Completed and graduated from a course of instruction of at36 least nine hundred (900) hours in a barber school approved by the37 board; or38 (ii) Completed at least one thousand eight hundred (1,800) hours39 as an apprentice in an apprenticeship that covered all aspects of40 the practice of barbering;41 (b) As a barber-stylist, must have:42 (i) Completed and graduated from a course of instruction of at43 least one thousand five hundred (1,500) hours in a barber school44 approved by the board; or45 (ii) Completed at least three thousand (3,000) hours as an appren-46 tice in an apprenticeship that covered all aspects of the practice47 of barber-styling;48 (c) As a cosmetologist, must have:49

17 (i) Completed and graduated from a course of instruction of at1 least one thousand six hundred (1,600) hours in a cosmetology2 school approved by the board; or3 (ii) Completed at least three thousand two hundred (3,200) hours4 as an apprentice in an apprenticeship that covered all aspects of5 the practice of cosmetology;6 (d) As an electrologist, must have:7 (i) Completed and graduated from a course of instruction of at8 least six hundred (600) hours in a school approved by the board; or9 (ii) Completed at least one thousand two hundred (1,200) hours as10 an apprentice in a cosmetology establishment under the direct per-11 sonal supervision of a licensed electrologist instructor;12 (e) As an esthetician, must have:13 (i) Completed and graduated from a course of instruction of at14 least six hundred (600) hours in a school approved by the board; or15 (ii) Completed at least one thousand two hundred (1,200) hours16 as an apprentice in a cosmetology establishment under the direct17 personal supervision of a licensed cosmetology instructor. Such18 establishment must have at least one (1) licensed esthetician19 on-site in accordance with board rules; and20 (f) As a nail technician, must have:21 (i) Completed and graduated from a course of instruction of at22 least four hundred (400) hours in a school approved by the board;23 or24 (ii) Completed at least eight hundred (800) hours as an apprentice25 in a cosmetology establishment under the direct personal super-26 vision of a licensed cosmetology instructor. Such establishment27 shall have at least one (1) licensed nail technician on-site in ac-28 cordance with board rules.29 (3) To qualify as an instructor of barbering, barber-styling, cosme-30 tology, electrology, esthetics, or nail technology, an applicant must:31 (a) Hold a current license in the profession or closely related profes-32 sion, as determined by the board, for which the applicant seeks to in-33 struct;34 (b) Have worked for at least five (5) of the last seven (7) years as a li-35 censed barber, barber-stylist, cosmetologist, electrologist, estheti-36 cian, or nail technician, or have satisfactorily completed:37 (i) A minimum six (6) month teacher's course of instruction in one38 (1) of the specialties described in this subsection; or39 (ii) A minimum three (3) month teacher's course of instruction in40 a school of one (1) of the specialties described in this subsec-41 tion, if the applicant has at least two (2) years of experience as42 a licensee in one (1) of the specialties described in this subsec-43 tion; and44 (c) Have completed twelve (12) college credit hours or equivalent edu-45 cation, as determined by the board, or pass an examination approved by46 the board.47 (4) To be qualified to hold an apprenticeship for purposes of this chap-48 ter, a person must:49

18 (a) Meet the qualifications set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) of1 subsection (1) of this section; and2 (b) Be registered as an apprentice with the board.3 (5) To be considered a student for purposes of this chapter, a person4 must:5 (a) Meet the qualifications set forth in paragraph (b) of subsection6 (1) of this section; and7 (b) Be registered as a student in a licensed barber school or cosmetol-8 ogy school.9 (6) A high school student enrolled in a licensed school or who attends10 high school at an Idaho home school may be under sixteen and one-half (16 1/2)11 years of age while accruing the course of instruction hours required for li-12 censure.13

SECTION 18. An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby14 declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after15 July 1, 2026.16