Blog

Before a professional can bid on or contract any type of electrical work in Ohio , the state requires they obtain an electrical contractor license. Those who have this license have the option of renewing it every year or every three years. Licensees must complete state approved continuing education courses to renew. To initially earn a license, candidates must meet the state’s requirements and pass the appropriate exam.

Electrical contractors can legally install, repair, upgrade, alter, change, or add any kind of electrical fixtures, raceways, wires, appliances, conduits, or apparatus. They can also service any part that transforms, utilizes, generates, or transmits electricity to light, communications, power, or heat.

What are the Requirements for an Ohio Electrical License?

You need to meet several requirements to earn an electrical contractor license in Ohio. 

Proof of Experience Required

To obtain your electrical license in Ohio, you must provide proof of your experience. The state requires that you serve as a tradesperson working under a state-licensed contractor for five years, performing permittable work. 

Alternatively, you can provide proof that you are currently a registered engineer in the state with at least three years of experience in the business side of construction in the electrical trade.

Furthermore, you must submit a copy of one permit — obtained by your employer and under which you worked — for each of the last five years.

Additional Requirements for Licensure

In addition to the required proof of your experience, you must pass the Ohio Electrical Exam and the Business & Law Exam. The state also requires proof of insurance with a minimum liability of $500,000. 

Once the state board approves the exams, you will need to complete a state and federal background check. This must be done before you will be allowed to take the examinations.

Applicants must contact the Ohio Board of State Examiners of Electricians to begin the process of obtaining a license. Ohio has reciprocity agreements with the states of:

• Oregon
• Maine
• New Hampshire
• Washington
• Vermont

So if you hold an electrical license in Ohio, you will also be able to legally perform electrical work in these other states.

You can’t sit for the exam until you submit the completed application for licensure to the state board, along with the verified work experience and education. Once everything is approved, the state will contact you with an exam bulletin and your pre-approval.

Taking the Exams for the Ohio Electrical Contractor License

There are 100 questions on the Ohio Electrical Contractor Exam, and candidates will have four hours to complete it. You must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass, so you must get at least 70 questions correct. This test is an open-book exam.

Some of the topics included in this test include service feeders, branch circuits, raceways, conductors, motors, panelboards, and more.

The Ohio Business & Law Exam has 50 questions; you must get at least 70% of the questions correct to pass. You will be allotted 120 minutes to complete your test, which is an open-book exam.

Topics include licensing, estimating, bidding, OSHA record-keeping, tax, safety, and lien laws.

Prepare with RocketCert

The tests are a significant part of the requirements for obtaining your electrical license in Ohio. Be as prepared as possible by signing up with RocketCert today.