I read somewhere that the Idaho Electrical Board is considering a program that would allow some electrical contractors to self-certify their installations for electrical code compliance. On the surface, it seemed to me like it might offer a little too much leeway and could potentially be abused. But according to them, it would also free up inspectors to focus on licensing compliance efforts. What's your take on that? Good thing/bad thing?

Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen to me.

Dnk.....

I think New York City tried this & it definitely doesn't work.

Thats like having the fox guard the hen house. Not a good idea in my opinion.

This is no help to you but..Heres how we do it in Ontario Canada.See the pdf at the bottom of the page for details if you're curious
cheers
http://www.esainspection.net/business/acp-002.php?s=55

I just got back from 2 weeks in Idaho and it appears there is no permitting or inspection at all for huge parts of the state.
You see signs when you get to cities that say "building permits required here".