Ohio licenses plumbing contractors at the state level through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) at the Ohio Department of Commerce. There is no statewide journeyman plumber license; journeyman cards are municipal where they exist. This guide walks you through the main steps, typical requirements, and the PSI exam process.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state licensing authority before applying.
Quick Overview
- Experience5 Years
- Application Fee$25
- Renewal1 or 3 Years
- CE Needed8 or 24 Hours
Figures come from official sources and can change. Always confirm with the licensing authority before applying.
3 Steps to Licensure
- 1
Meet the requirements
Requirements for the Ohio plumbing contractor license typically include:
- Being at least 18 years old.
- 5 years of trade experience (or a current Ohio registered PE with 3 years of construction business experience, or 5 years as an Ohio government inspector in the trade).
- Tax documents (W-2s or Schedule C) plus permits, a journeyman card, an apprenticeship certificate, or 40 hours of OCILB code continuing education. Sewer, water, gas service, and drain-cleaning permits do not count as qualifying permits.
- A BCI and FBI background check after Board approval.
- $500,000 in contractor liability insurance.
- Passing scores on the PSI Plumbing Trade exam and the Business & Law exam.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with OCILB before applying.
- 2
Submit your application
The application process for an Ohio plumbing contractor license generally involves these steps:
- Confirm you meet the 5-year experience requirement and gather qualifying documentation.
- Submit the OCILB Examination Application with the $25 application fee per trade.
- Wait for Board approval, then complete the BCI and FBI background check.
- Schedule and pass the PSI Plumbing Trade exam and the Business & Law exam.
- Provide proof of $500,000 contractor liability insurance.
- Pay the $25 license issuance fee.
Steps can change, so verify the current process with OCILB.
- 3
Pass the plumber exam
The Ohio plumbing contractor examination consists of two computer-based PSI exams: the Plumbing Trade exam and the Business & Law exam. The passing score is not published on the state page; prep providers cite 70 percent, so confirm in the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin. Trade content references the Ohio Plumbing Code, OAC 4101:3, based on the International Plumbing Code; confirm the current edition at codes.ohio.gov. Always confirm exam requirements with OCILB or PSI, because formats and approved materials can change.
License Types
Plumbing Contractor (OCILB)
The statewide license for commercial plumbing contracting in Ohio.
- State-wide license
- Can pull permits
Journeyman (Municipal Card)
Voluntary local card; counts as experience proof for OCILB.
- Local, voluntary
- Path to contractor
Details
Experience
OCILB requires 5 years of trade experience for the plumbing contractor license, documented with tax records (W-2s or Schedule C) plus permits, a journeyman card, an apprenticeship certificate, or 40 hours of OCILB code continuing education. Be aware of the plumbing-specific quirk: sewer, water, gas service, and drain-cleaning permits do not count as qualifying permits. A current Ohio registered PE with 3 years of construction business experience, or 5 years as an Ohio government inspector in the trade, also qualifies. Check the current documentation standards with OCILB before you apply.
Details
Fees
OCILB charges a $25 application fee per trade and a $25 license issuance fee per trade, plus a $60 per year escrow (inactive) renewal fee. The PSI exam fee is paid to PSI; prep providers cite about $69 per exam, so confirm in the PSI candidate bulletin. Always confirm current fee amounts with the official authority before submitting payment.
Details
Renewal
Ohio plumbing contractor licenses renew with 8 hours of CE for a one-year renewal or 24 hours for a three-year renewal. A license expired more than one year requires reapplying and retesting. Requirements can change; always confirm renewal requirements with OCILB before your renewal deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a journeyman plumber license in Ohio?
Not at the state level. Ohio licenses plumbing contractors only. Journeyman plumbing cards are municipal where they exist and voluntary at the state level, but an active journeyman card is one accepted way to document the 5 years of experience OCILB requires.
What experience counts toward the Ohio plumbing contractor license?
5 years of trade experience proven with tax documents plus permits, a journeyman card, an apprenticeship certificate, or 40 hours of OCILB code CE. Note that sewer, water, gas service, and drain-cleaning permits do not count as qualifying permits. Confirm accepted documentation with OCILB.
What exams do I take for the Ohio plumbing contractor license?
Two computer-based PSI exams: the Plumbing Trade exam and the Business & Law exam. The passing score is not published on the state page, so confirm it in the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin before scheduling.
Is there reciprocity for plumbing licenses in Ohio?
OCILB lists plumbing reciprocity with Arkansas, Mississippi (Business & Law required), South Carolina (Business & Law), Tennessee (Business & Law), and West Virginia. Agreements change, so confirm the current list with OCILB.
