Ohio HVAC license

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. HVAC license classes

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

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))

1. 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))
2. Apply to test Send the OCILB exam application with 5 years of tax documents. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
3. Pass the exam Pass both sections of the exam. (source: OCILB Examination Application (opens in a new tab))
4. 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))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

We're still verifying this, check the official board: OCILB website (opens in a new tab).

Use the reciprocity checker

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).