Idaho Adopts Birthday-Based License Renewal System: What Professionals Need to Know

Starting July 1, 2025, the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) is implementing sweeping changes to how licenses are renewed. These updates impact nearly every licensed professional in the state and are intended to streamline the renewal process and improve long-term administrative efficiency. If your business operates in Idaho or employs licensed professionals there, it’s essential to understand the changes and prepare accordingly.

Licenses Will Now Expire on Your Birthday

Under the new system, all licenses will expire on the licensee’s birthday instead of the traditional fixed date model. This adjustment creates a staggered renewal system and is designed to spread renewal volume more evenly throughout the year. Beginning July 1, 2025, each license holder will renew on their birthday, regardless of their profession. For example, if your birthday falls in November, your new renewal deadline will be November 30.

Transition Year: Staggered by Birth Year

To make the transition as smooth as possible, DOPL has introduced a staggered renewal period based on whether a licensee was born in an odd- or even-numbered year. Licensees born in odd-numbered years will receive a two-year renewal in 2025 and pay double the usual renewal fee. Their next renewal will be in 2027. Those born in even-numbered years will receive a one-year renewal in 2025 and pay the standard one-year fee, before moving to a two-year cycle in 2026. This approach ensures that the transition maintains a balance in renewal volume during the rollout.

Updated Fees and Continuing Education Requirements

Because licenses are shifting to a two-year cycle, renewal fees and continuing education (CE) requirements are also being updated to match. For professions that mandate CE, the required hours will double to account for the extended renewal term. Renewal fees will reflect either a one- or two-year cycle, depending on the licensee’s birth year and renewal period. These changes are meant to align licensure maintenance obligations with the new expiration schedule and eliminate confusion about proportional fees and CE compliance.

Late Renewals and Reinstatement

Professionals are still encouraged to renew early—DOPL allows renewals to be submitted up to six weeks before the expiration date. However, if a license is not renewed on time, it will enter a “lapsed” status, and the licensee will be required to pay a reinstatement fee. After reinstatement, the license expiration date will shift to the next birthday cycle, effectively reestablishing the license on the new birthday-based schedule.

Why Idaho Is Making This Change

According to DOPL, the move to birthday-based renewals was driven by the need to reduce administrative bottlenecks and improve customer service. In the past, many licenses expired on the same date each year, creating high-volume spikes that strained processing systems and led to delays. By distributing renewals more evenly throughout the calendar year, DOPL expects to process applications more efficiently and provide better support to license holders. The change also aligns Idaho with best practices adopted by other states.

How to Prepare

Professionals licensed in Idaho should verify the expiration date of their current license and take note of the upcoming transition. Be sure to review communications from DOPL carefully to understand whether your renewal will be for one year or two, and what fees and CE requirements will apply. Businesses with licensed employees should also update internal tracking systems to reflect the new renewal cycle and avoid lapses in licensure.To help stay on top of license renewal deadlines and manage CE requirements across your organization, Harbor Compliance’s License Manager Software can help you automate tracking and ensure ongoing compliance with Idaho’s new system.