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Ohio Contractor License

Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (specialty trades only)

Ohio does not require a state-level general contractor license. Cities and counties set their own licensing requirements.

Quick Reference

GC License Required: No
Threshold: No statewide threshold; varies by municipality
Exam Required: No
NASCLA Accepted: No

Official Board Website

Fees

Application Fee: Varies by municipality ($50 - $300)
License Fee: Varies by municipality
Renewal Fee: Varies by municipality (typically annual)

Key Facts

No statewide general contractor license requirement
Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board licenses specialty trades
Workers compensation through monopolistic Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC)
Local municipalities set their own contractor licensing requirements

Insurance Requirements

General Liability

$500,000+ recommended

Workers Comp

Required through monopolistic state system (BWC)

Surety Bond

Varies by municipality

Continuing Education

Required for specialty trades at renewal

Specialty Licenses Required

Electrical (state)Plumbing (state)HVAC (state)Hydronics

How to Apply

1Contact the local building department where you plan to work
2Complete municipality-specific contractor registration or license application
3Obtain workers compensation insurance through Ohio BWC
4Obtain general liability insurance as required locally
5Apply for state-level specialty trade licenses if applicable
6Pay local registration and licensing fees

Penalties for Unlicensed Work

Specialty trade violations: fines and criminal charges; GC penalties enforced locally

Related Templates

Pre-Qualification Questionnaire COI Request Form Subcontractor Agreement

Frequently Asked Questions