Ohio HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical License Requirements
Last updated 2026. Requirements may change — always verify with your state licensing board.
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE hours
- 8 hours/year (or 24 hours per 3-year renewal)
- Initial cost
- ~$254
- License types
- HVAC Commercial Contractor
- Experience
- 5 years
- Exam
- Trade + Business & Law exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- Reciprocity with AR, MS, SC, TN, WV (OH business/law exam still required)
- Board
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB)
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE hours
- 8 hours/year (24 / 3-year)
- Initial cost
- ~$254
- License types
- Plumbing Commercial Contractor
- Experience
- 5 years
- Exam
- Trade + Business & Law exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- Same OCILB reciprocity program as HVAC
- Board
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE hours
- 8 hours/year (24 / 3-year)
- Initial cost
- ~$254
- License types
- Electrical Commercial Contractor
- Experience
- 5 years
- Exam
- NEC-based + Business & Law exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- Same reciprocity program
- Board
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board
Ohio licenses HVAC, plumbing, and electrical Commercial Contractors through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). All three trades require 5 years of experience, dual exams, and 8 CE hours per year (24 per 3-year renewal).
Ohio has one of the broader Midwest reciprocity programs: contractors licensed in Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, or West Virginia can apply by reciprocity. You'll still need to pass the Ohio Business & Law exam, but the trade exam is waived.
TradesIQ tracks Ohio license renewals, CE hours, bonds, and insurance certificates in one dashboard — with automated reminders before anything lapses.
Related reading: R-410A phase-down timeline · seasonal maintenance revenue strategy · hidden revenue in customer records · See all 50 states + DC
Check another state
Renewal cycles, CE hours, fees, and licensing board links.
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE
- 8 hours/year (or 24 hours per 3-year renewal)
- Cost
- ~$254
- Board
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB)
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE
- 8 hours/year (24 / 3-year)
- Cost
- ~$254
- Board
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE
- 8 hours/year (24 / 3-year)
- Cost
- ~$254
- Board
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board
Requirements may change. Always verify with your state licensing board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have reciprocity with Ohio for contractor licensing?
How many CE hours does Ohio require?
Nearby states
New to renewals? Read our guide to contractor license renewal, or check a nearby state below.