Do you need a contractor license in Ohio?
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))
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.
When do you need 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))
Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages.
- 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)
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