Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board · checked 2026-10-20
Ohio Plumber License Requirements
The OCILB licenses plumbing contractors who perform commercial work. Residential plumbing and individual plumber licensing are outside this board's application. Plumbing Contractor (commercial): 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1PC · Plumbing Contractor (commercial) 5 years
License levels in Ohio
Ohio has one credential on this path: the Plumbing Contractor (commercial). The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC Plumbing Contractor (commercial) | 5 years | — | 5 years | Yes | Application $25; License $25 |
Plumbing Contractor (commercial) (PC)
Five years as a tradesperson in plumbing immediately before applying, or registration as an Ohio professional engineer with three years of business experience in the trade; pass the exams; proof of $500,000 contractor liability insurance. Source: OCILB testing application.
Exam
1 of the 1 level listed here requires an exam: Plumbing Contractor (commercial). The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees, insurance and bond
- Plumbing Contractor (commercial): application $25, license $25 ($50 together).
Insurance: Proof of at least $500,000 contractor liability insurance.
Reciprocity
The Ohio sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Ohio compares
Among the 11 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top plumber credential, Ohio ranks 8 of 11 from shortest (3 years) to longest (6 years). Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Georgia and Michigan set the same 5 years.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Texas · Florida · Illinois · Georgia. All states side by side: Plumber license requirements by state.
Other trades in Ohio
- Electrician: Electrical Contractor (commercial): 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- HVAC: HVAC Contractor (commercial): 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Ohio trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · What the license fees add up to.
Questions
Who issues the plumber license in Ohio?
Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (Department of Commerce). The OCILB licenses plumbing contractors who perform commercial work. Residential plumbing and individual plumber licensing are outside this board's application.
How long does it take to qualify for the Plumbing Contractor (commercial) in Ohio?
5 years by this site's count. Five years as a tradesperson in plumbing immediately before applying, or registration as an Ohio professional engineer with three years of business experience in the trade; pass the exams; proof of $500,000 contractor liability insurance.
Does Ohio have plumber license reciprocity?
The Ohio sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
What are the Ohio plumber license fees?
Plumbing Contractor (commercial): application $25, license $25.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (Department of Commerce) | 2026-10-20 |
| PC requirements | OCILB testing application | 2026-10-20 |
| Law cited | Ohio Rev. Code chapter 4740; Ohio Admin. Code 4101:16-1 to 4101:16-3 | 2026-10-20 |
This page summarises what the Ohio source said on 2026-10-20. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.