Ohio contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

OCILB Contractor (Master) License - Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Hydronics, Refrigeration

Contracting companies doing work in one of the five licensed trades.

• Good to know: Not required for general remodeling, roofing, painting, flooring or siding. Kitchen and bath remodelers who do their own electrical, plumbing or HVAC work need a licensed contractor for that work.

Columbus Home Improvement General Contractor (HIC)

Contractors doing structural work on 1-3 family dwellings, accessory structures and garages in Columbus.

• Good to know: Requires a 70%+ score on the 767 Ohio Home Improvement Contractor exam, three years of hands-on experience and Board approval.

Columbus Home Improvement Limited Contractor

Contractors limited to specific residential trades in Columbus, such as roofing, siding, decks, fencing, pools and paving.

• Good to know: Requires one year of hands-on experience in the specialty and Board approval.

Columbus General Contractor

Contractors building new structures or working on commercial or 4+ unit buildings in Columbus, and those coordinating 1-3 family home modifications who subcontract to licensed trades.

• Good to know: Requires a $25,000 bond and liability insurance naming Columbus Building and Zoning Services.

Cleveland General Contractor Registration

General contractors pulling permits in the City of Cleveland.

• Good to know: Application is listed by Cleveland Building & Housing; requirements were not stated on the page reviewed.

What you need to qualify

• Exams: OCILB trade license: pass the state exam (PSI). A failed exam can be retaken after 60 days (ORC 4740.06). Columbus HIC: 70%+ on the 767 Ohio Home Improvement Contractor exam.
• Experience: OCILB trade license: five years as a tradesperson in the trade immediately before applying, or a registered Ohio engineer with three years of construction business experience (ORC 4740.06). Columbus HIC: three years; Columbus Limited: one year in the specialty.
• Insurance: OCILB: contractor's liability insurance in an amount the specialty section sets, held under only one company name. Home construction service suppliers under ORC 4722 must carry general liability insurance of not less than $250,000 and attach a copy of the certificate to contracts of $25,000 or more.
• Bond: Columbus General Contractor: $25,000 bond. No state bond for remodelers.
• Also required: OCILB applicants must be at least 18 and a U.S. citizen or legal alien with valid documentation (ORC 4740.06).

Fees, renewal and continuing education

• Continuing education: OCILB license holders must complete ten hours of continuing education per year (ORC 4740.04).

Contracts and homeowner protections

Home Construction Service Suppliers Act (ORC 4722) covers construction, repair, remodel or renovation of 1-, 2- and 3-family dwellings. For any home construction service costing $25,000 or more, the supplier must use a written contract that includes: supplier name, address, phone and taxpayer ID; owner name, address and phone; job location; description of the work; start and completion dates; total estimated cost; any costs not included; a copy of the supplier's $250,000+ general liability insurance certificate; and dated signatures. If excess costs will exceed $5,000 over the contract, the owner must get a written or oral estimate (owner chooses in the contract) before that work. Cost-plus contracts are exempt. Owners can rescind or sue for actual damages plus up to $5,000 in noneconomic damages (ORC 4722.08). Home Solicitation Sales Act: for sales solicited at the buyer's home ($25 or more), the buyer can cancel until midnight of the third business day after signing (ORC 1345.21-1345.22).

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board licenses electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics and refrigeration contractors. Cities such as Cleveland and Columbus require these contractors to hold the state license before registering locally.

City and county rules

OCILB states that all local building and health departments regulate residential contractors. Columbus (Department of Building and Zoning Services, Chapter 4114) issues General Contractor, Home Improvement General Contractor, Home Improvement Limited Contractor and other licenses that must be obtained before applying for permits. Cleveland's Department of Building & Housing has a General Contractor Registration application and requires residential permits for roofing, siding, gutters, doors, windows, decks, porches, basement or attic finishing, and electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. Check the city or county building department where the job is.

Working without a license

Acting as an OCILB-licensed type of contractor without a license is a minor misdemeanor for a first violation and a fourth-degree misdemeanor for later violations (ORC 4740.13, 4740.99).

What to confirm with the state

We couldn't confirm these on an official page when we checked. Ask the licensing office before you rely on them:

• OCILB minimum liability insurance amount, license fees and renewal period (not stated on the pages we checked).
• Columbus license fees (set in the BZS Fee Schedule, not checked).
• Cleveland general contractor registration requirements and fees.
• Licensing programs in Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Dayton and other cities and counties.

Sources

1. Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board - Ohio Department of Commerce
2. ORC 4740.01 - Definitions
3. ORC 4740.04 - Board duties (continuing education)
4. ORC 4740.06 - License requirements
5. ORC 4740.13 - Prohibited acts
6. ORC 4740.99 - Penalty
7. ORC 4722.01 - Home construction service definitions
8. ORC 4722.02 - Home construction service contract requirements
9. ORC 4722.03 - Prohibited acts
10. ORC 4722.08 - Owner remedies
11. ORC 1345.21 - Home solicitation sale definitions
12. ORC 1345.22 - Right to cancel home solicitation sale
13. Contractor Licenses - City of Columbus
14. Building & Housing - City of Cleveland
15. Construction Permitting Resources - City of Cleveland