How to get a plumbing contractor license in Ohio: the official requirements
The Plumbing Contractor license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board.
In Ohio, the statewide plumbing license is a contractor license, issued by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. The state plumbing license is a contractor license: the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) issues state licenses to plumbing contractors who perform commercial work. The license must be assigned to a contracting company. Experience and training: At least five years as a tradesperson in the plumbing trade immediately before you apply, shown with the last five consecutive years of tax documents (W-2s or Schedule C) plus one of: a permit for each of the last five years pulled by the licensed contractor you worked under (sewer service, water service, gas service and drain cleaning permits do not count), an active journeyman's card, an approved apprenticeship completion certificate, or 40 hours of OCILB-approved code continuing education. Alternatives: an Ohio registered professional engineer with three years of business experience in the trade, or five years as an Ohio government inspector in the trade. Licensing exam: The OCILB licensing exam, taken after the Board approves your application. Approved candidates receive a PSI Candidate Information Bulletin explaining how to schedule; exams are computer-based by appointment, and you must pass both sections. How to apply: Mail the OCILB Examination Application, with the tax documents and experience proof, to the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (Division of Industrial Compliance) in Reynoldsburg. After passing the exam, send the exam results, the license fee and a certificate of contractor liability insurance at the amount the Board sets to receive the license.
Ohio plumbing contractor license requirements
| Requirement | Ohio |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The state plumbing license is a contractor license: the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) issues state licenses to plumbing contractors who perform commercial work. The license must be assigned to a contracting company. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. |
| Experience and training | At least five years as a tradesperson in the plumbing trade immediately before you apply, shown with the last five consecutive years of tax documents (W-2s or Schedule C) plus one of: a permit for each of the last five years pulled by the licensed contractor you worked under (sewer service, water service, gas service and drain cleaning permits do not count), an active journeyman's card, an approved apprenticeship completion certificate, or 40 hours of OCILB-approved code continuing education. Alternatives: an Ohio registered professional engineer with three years of business experience in the trade, or five years as an Ohio government inspector in the trade. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. |
| Licensing exam | The OCILB licensing exam, taken after the Board approves your application. Approved candidates receive a PSI Candidate Information Bulletin explaining how to schedule; exams are computer-based by appointment, and you must pass both sections. |
| How to apply | Mail the OCILB Examination Application, with the tax documents and experience proof, to the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (Division of Industrial Compliance) in Reynoldsburg. After passing the exam, send the exam results, the license fee and a certificate of contractor liability insurance at the amount the Board sets to receive the license. |
| Background check | Applicants must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or legal alien, and never convicted of a disqualifying offense. Once the Board approves you, you must get a BCI and FBI background check before sitting for the exam. |
| State fees | Examination application: $25. License issue after passing the exam: $25. PSI exam fees and background check fees are separate. |
| License term | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. |
| Continuing education | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Ohio
- Work at least five years as a tradesperson in the plumbing trade.
- Gather the last five consecutive years of tax documents (W-2s or Schedule C).
- Mail the OCILB Examination Application with the $25 fee to the Board.
- Once the Board approves you, get a BCI and FBI background check.
- Schedule and take the computer-based exam using the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.
- After passing both sections, send the exam results, the $25 license fee and a certificate of contractor liability insurance to get the license.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become a plumberThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayPlumber salary in OhioWhat plumbers earn.
Open →CareerPlumber career guideThe job, skills and outlook.
Open →ResumePlumber resumeHow to present your hours and licenses.
Open →InterviewPlumber interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
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Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the contractor license named above. Specialty, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Ohio Department of Commerce, Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), OCILB Examination Application (9/2025), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.