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.
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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.