Plumber License Requirements in Ohio
| Licensing Authority | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) |
| License Type | Plumbing Commercial Contractor |
| Experience Required | 5 years of experience as a plumbing tradesperson immediately prior to the date the application is filed. Experience must be continuous and verifiable. Alternatively, applicants who are currently registered engineers in Ohio with 3 years of business experience in the plumbing construction industry may qualify. |
| Education Substitute | A registered engineer in Ohio with 3 years of business experience in the plumbing construction industry may substitute for the 5-year tradesperson requirement. Applicants must also complete 40 hours of live or webinar-based virtual continuing education training from an OCILB-approved training provider no more than 1 year prior to the application date. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam + Business and Law Exam |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 8 hours 1 year |
| Processing Time | 4-8 weeks (application review + background check + exam scheduling) |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $25 |
| Exam Fee | $138 |
| Initial License Fee | $25 |
| Fingerprinting | $66 |
| PSI trade exam fee | $69 |
| PSI business & law exam fee | $69 |
| 3-year renewal option | $180 |
| BCI/FBI background check (approx.) | $66 |
| Est. Initial Total | $638 |
Renewal: $60 every 1 year
Exam Requirements
Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam
100 questions240 minutesPass: 70%
General plumbing knowledgeGeneral regulationsPlumbing fixturesWater supply systemsDrainage, waste, and sanitary ventsIndirect wastesRoof drain pipingSpecialty plumbingIsometric analysis
Business and Law Exam
50 questions120 minutesPass: 70%
Business organizationLicensing requirementsEstimating and biddingContract managementProject managementInsurance and bondingOSHA safety and record keepingPersonnel regulationsFinancial managementTax lawsLien laws
Exam provider: PSI
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 4 states. You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
West VirginiaTrade exam waiver for licensed Ohio contractors in HVAC and plumbing. Must still meet all other OCILB requirements including Business and Law exam.
MississippiTrade exam waiver for HVAC and plumbing contractors. Licensed Ohio contractors may qualify for reciprocal licensing.
South CarolinaTrade exam waiver for HVAC and plumbing contractors. Licensed Ohio contractors may qualify for reciprocal licensing.
ArkansasPlumbing trade exam waiver for licensed Ohio plumbing contractors.
Notes
- OCILB state license covers COMMERCIAL plumbing work only — residential plumbing may require separate local licensing
- Both exams are open-book; highlighting permitted but no writing in reference materials
- Plumbing CE: 8 hours for 1-year renewal, 24 hours for 3-year renewal; max 4 hours self-paced per year (12 for 3-year)
- 40 hours of pre-application training required from OCILB-approved provider within 1 year of application
- Background check (BCI/FBI) must be completed after application approval but before exam
- No statewide residential plumber license — residential plumbing is regulated at the local level
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a plumber license in Ohio?
Yes, Ohio requires a statewide plumber license through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board.
How much does a plumber license cost in Ohio?
The estimated initial cost is $254, including application, exam, and license fees.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: OCILB