Electrical Contractor
Scope: Commercial electrical installations statewide
Testing: PSI electrical exam plus Business & Law
Ohio Contractor License Exam Guide (2026)
Ohio contractors pour footings in glacial clay, chase lake-effect leaks, and retrofit industrial plants across the Rust Belt. The Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) licenses statewide commercial contractors for electrical, HVAC, hydronics, refrigeration, and plumbing work using PSI exams.
Last verified: June 2026 via Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. Official source: Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board.
- 100 QuestionsTrade exams
- Business & LawPSI module
- 5 YearsRequired experience
How Ohio licenses contractors
OCILB licenses statewide commercial contractors in five trades: electrical, HVAC, hydronics, refrigeration, and plumbing. Applicants need five years of experience, proof of liability insurance, background checks, and passing scores on the PSI trade exam plus the Business & Law module.
Ohio exam scenarios include freeze-thaw cycles, flat-roof ponding in Lake Erie storms, and steam-plant safety in the Ohio Valley. Expect hydronic controls, NEC Article 250 grounding, and EPA backflow rules.
Official source: Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board
Ohio licensing at a glance
- 100 Questions — Trade exams
- Business & Law — PSI module
- Typical cost: $25 application fee plus $25 background check
- State-specific trade exam required (NASCLA not accepted for primary licensing path)
- Common license path: Electrical Contractor
Ohio contractor license types
HVAC/Hydronics/Refrigeration
Scope: Mechanical systems including boilers and chilled water
Testing: PSI trade exam plus Business & Law
Plumbing Contractor
Scope: Commercial plumbing and medical gas
Testing: PSI plumbing exam plus Business & Law
Local building departments still issue permits, but OCILB credentials provide statewide reciprocity. Separate residential licensing is handled by municipalities.
What's on the Ohio contractor exam
PSI test centers operate in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Dayton, and via remote proctoring.
What Ohio exam questions emphasize
- NEC 2023 calculations, transformers, and grounding
- Ohio Mechanical/Plumbing Codes (based on IMC/IPC 2018)
- Hydronic design, load calcs, and refrigerant safety
- Ohio lien law and Workers' Compensation rules
Exam-day logistics
- Bring two IDs, approval letter, and the allowed reference books
- Open-book exams permit the PSI reference manual, NEC, and Ohio codes with tabs
- Scores print immediately; submit insurance certificates and license fees to activate credentials
Ohio contractor exam blueprint (verified June 2026)
| Licensing authority | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Department of Commerce |
|---|---|
| Governing law | Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4740 |
| What is licensed | Commercial work in 5 specialty trades — Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Hydronics, Refrigeration (issued as "Master Licenses") |
| Exams | PSI trade exam plus a Business & Law exam (open-book) |
| Passing score | 70% on each |
| Experience | 5 years in the trade (documented with permits and W-2s), or a PE license plus 3 years, or a completed apprenticeship |
| Money | $25 application fee; proof of $500,000 contractor liability insurance to issue the license |
| Residential / GC | Not OCILB — home improvement over $25,000 falls under the Attorney General (ORC 4722); general contracting is licensed locally |
What trips Ohio applicants up
There is no Ohio "general contractor" license. OCILB only covers five commercial trades. If you do residential remodeling or GC work, your requirements come from the city or county building department, not the state — which is why so many Ohio searches for a state GC license come up empty.
Verified sources: OCILB — What We Do · OCILB — Examination Application.
Trade-specific exam guides
If you're licensing in a single trade rather than the Ohio general contractor classification, the dedicated trade hub will get you to the right code book and exam structure faster.
- General contractor exam guide — IBC/IRC, NASCLA acceptance, and Business & Law.
- Electrical contractor exam guide — NEC (NFPA 70) calculations and grounding/bonding.
- Plumbing contractor exam guide — IPC/UPC drainage sizing, venting, and backflow.
- HVAC contractor exam guide — IMC ventilation, refrigerant management, and load calcs.
Ohio code books & approved references (2026)
Always confirm the exact editions and tab rules in your candidate bulletin before exam day. Editions can change between license cycles.
- National Electrical Code 2023
- Ohio Mechanical/Plumbing Codes (IMC/IPC 2018 base)
- PSI Ohio Business & Law reference
- Ohio Revised Code 4740
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926
Fees & timeline for the Ohio contractor license
- $25 application fee plus $25 background check
- $72 PSI trade exam fee and $72 Business & Law fee
- $60 initial license fee per trade
- Liability insurance minimum $500,000
- Continuing education (10 hours every three years)
Use the All States hub for budgeting; verify fees with OCILB.
Ohio Business & Law focus
The Ohio Business & Law exam covers licensing statutes, lien law, contract administration, payroll, unemployment insurance, and safety.
- Know Ohio Revised Code 4740 licensing requirements
- Understand mechanics lien deadlines and notice of commencement rules
- Register with the Department of Taxation and Bureau of Workers' Compensation
- Track payroll, overtime, and prevailing wage compliance
Practice with our national Business & Law exam hub for cross-state baseline rules.
NASCLA acceptance in Ohio
OCILB requires Ohio-specific PSI exams rather than NASCLA.
More: National NASCLA exam guide and our in-depth NASCLA Accredited Exam study walkthrough.
A focused 4-week study plan for the Ohio exam
Because ohio exam scenarios include freeze-thaw cycles, flat-roof ponding in Lake Erie storms, and steam-plant safety in the Ohio Valley, this four-week outline targets what Ohio field inspectors and your licensing board exam items actually test—not generic national prep.
- Week 1 — Map the exam. Pull your current candidate bulletin, list every reference, and confirm the modules you have to pass. Start a one-page error log. Spend extra time on: NEC 2023 calculations, transformers, and grounding.
- Week 2 — Code book navigation. Drill open-book lookups (or memorisation drills if your module is closed-book) until you can find any answer in under 60 seconds. Anchor practice around: Ohio Mechanical/Plumbing Codes (based on IMC/IPC 2018).
- Week 3 — Business & Law. The Ohio Business & Law exam covers licensing statutes, lien law, contract administration, payroll, unemployment insurance, and safety. Layer in scenario-based questions on contracts, lien notice, payroll, and insurance.
- Week 4 — Full simulations. PSI test centers operate in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Dayton, and via remote proctoring. Run two full-length timed simulations. Review every miss with a one-sentence rule statement.
FAQs - Ohio contractor exam
Which trades does OCILB license?
Electrical, HVAC, hydronics, refrigeration, and plumbing.
What experience is required?
Five years of journeyman or foreman experience.
Is the exam open book?
Yes, using the PSI-approved references.
Does Ohio accept NASCLA?
No.
What insurance is required?
At least $500k liability plus Workers' Compensation coverage.
How often do I renew?
Annually with 10 hours continuing education each three-year cycle.
Where are exams offered?
PSI centers statewide and remote proctoring.
More Ohio contractor exam prep resources
Core resources
Exam-day reading
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