Ohio contractor license lookup
Ohio's Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) licenses commercial electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing and refrigeration contractors. Other contractors should check with their city or county. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab), source: Ohio eLicense lookup (opens in a new tab))
Check a license on the OCILB website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Choose the OCILB license type (EL, HV, HY, PL or RE), then search by credential number or name. (source: Ohio eLicense lookup (opens in a new tab))
Checked against official Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board sources. See sources.
1. Who needs a license
OCILB issues state licenses to electrical, HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing and hydronics contractors who do commercial work. For other trades and residential work, check with your city or county. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
- No one may act as or claim to be a type of contractor OCILB licenses without that license. (source: Ohio Revised Code 4740.13 (opens in a new tab))
Penalties
- Acting as an OCILB-licensed contractor type without a license is a minor misdemeanor on the first violation and a fourth-degree misdemeanor after that. (source: Ohio Revised Code 4740.99 (opens in a new tab))
2. License classes
| Class | Name | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| EL | Electrical Contractor | Commercial electrical contracting (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab), source: Ohio eLicense lookup (opens in a new tab)) |
| HV | HVAC Contractor | Commercial heating, ventilating and air conditioning (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab), source: Ohio eLicense lookup (opens in a new tab)) |
| HY | Hydronics Contractor | Commercial hydronic systems (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab), source: Ohio eLicense lookup (opens in a new tab)) |
| PL | Plumbing Contractor | Commercial plumbing (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab), source: Ohio eLicense lookup (opens in a new tab)) |
| RE | Refrigeration Contractor | Commercial refrigeration (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab), source: Ohio eLicense lookup (opens in a new tab)) |
3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam application fee Paid with the testing application. Check payable to "Treasurer, State of Ohio". | $25 (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab)) |
| State license after passing the exam Check payable to "Treasurer, State of Ohio", sent with exam results and proof of insurance. | $25 (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab)) |
Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.
Experience and steps
Experience: 5 years. At least 5 years as a tradesperson in the licensed trade immediately before applying. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
- Check you qualify Be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen or legal alien, and have at least 5 years in the trade right before applying (or qualify as an Ohio engineer or government inspector). (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
- Apply to test Send the OCILB exam application with 5 years of tax documents. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
- Pass the exam Pass both sections of the exam. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
- Get the license Send exam results, a $25 check and proof of at least $500,000 liability insurance. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
Exam
An exam is required. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
- Two exam sections (pass both) (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
Bond
We're still verifying this, check the official board: OCILB website (opens in a new tab).
Insurance
- General liability: At least $500,000 contractor liability insurance. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
The license and insurance must be assigned to a contracting company. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
Renewal
Check renewal rules with OCILB. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
4. How to look up a contractor
Check a license on the OCILB website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Choose the OCILB license type (EL, HV, HY, PL or RE), then search by credential number or name. (source: Ohio eLicense lookup (opens in a new tab))
You can search by: License type, Credential number, First and last name, State. (source: Ohio eLicense lookup (opens in a new tab))
5. Reciprocity (license transfer)
We're still verifying this, check the official board: OCILB website (opens in a new tab).
6. Red flags when hiring
- A commercial electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing or refrigeration contractor with no OCILB license. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
- Claims to be a licensed contractor type but is not on the lookup. (source: Ohio Revised Code 4740.13 (opens in a new tab))
7. How to complain
We're still verifying this, check the official board: OCILB website (opens in a new tab).
8. Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages. How we verify.
- OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Ohio eLicense lookup (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Ohio Revised Code 4740.13 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Ohio Revised Code 4740.99 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
Spot something out of date? Email [email protected].
Common questions
Which contractors does Ohio license?
OCILB licenses commercial electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing and refrigeration contractors. Other contractors should check with their city or county. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
Is unlicensed contracting a crime in Ohio?
For OCILB trades, yes: a minor misdemeanor the first time and a fourth-degree misdemeanor after that. (source: Ohio Revised Code 4740.99 (opens in a new tab))