Ohio Plumber Licensing FAQs

What are the types of plumbing licenses available in Ohio?

• Plumbing Contractor

Contractors are regulated at the state level, however your local jurisdiction may have additional licensing requirements. Check with your local municipality to verify requirements.

View the list of residential building departments here.

Does Ohio have reciprocal licensing with other states?

Ohio has reciprocal agreements for plumbing contractors with South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

What fees are associated with becoming a plumbing contractor in Ohio?

• Application: $25
• Exam:
  • One Portion: $69
  • Two Portions: $138
• Renewal:
  • Annual: $60
  • Triennial: $180

When do I need to renew my Ohio plumbing license?

The board will send you a renewal notice approximately 90 days prior to your expiration date.

How do I renew my plumbing license in Ohio?

1. Complete all required continuing education
2. Certify that you have at least $500,000 contractor liability insurance
3. Pay all applicable renewal fees

Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in Ohio?

Yes, Plumbing Contractors must complete 10* hours of continuing education every year

*Our courses are not currently approved for plumbing continuing education in Ohio

My Ohio plumbing license has expired — how do I get it reinstated?

You may apply to the Board within one year for late renewal provided you are in compliance with the renewal requirements above.

1. Meet the minimum requirements
   1. Be at least 18 years old
   2. Be a United States citizen or legally eligible to work in the US
   3. One of the following experiences related to the trade you are applying for:
      1. At least 5 years as a tradesperson immediately prior to application OR
      2. Be a registered OH engineer for at least 3 years in the applicable trade
2. Submit to a complete State & Federal background check
3. Pass the licensing exams
4. Carry a minimum of $500,000 contractor liability coverage
5. Pay the applicable fees

• Application: $25
• Exam:
  • One Portion: $69
  • Two Portions: $138
• Renewal:
  • Annual: $60
  • Triennial: $180

There are two exams for Ohio plumbing contractor licensing: Business & Law, and the trades portion.

Business & Law Exam:

• Open book
• 2 hour time limit
• 70% required to pass
• 50 scored questions
  • 2 questions: Business Organization
  • 3 questions: Licensing
  • 8 questions: Estimating & Bidding
  • 5 questions: Contract Management
  • 4 questions: Project Management
  • 5 questions: Insurance & Bonding
  • 5 questions: OSHA Record Keeping and Safety
  • 5 questions: Personnel Regulations
  • 6 questions: Financial Management
  • 5 questions: Tax Laws
  • 2 questions: Lien Laws

Plumbing Contractor Exam:

• Open book
• 4 hour time limit
• 70% required to pass
• 100 scored questions
  • 8 questions: General Knowledge
  • 20 questions: General Regulations
  • 6 questions: Plumbing Fixtures
  • 10 questions: Water Supply Systems
  • 24 questions: Drainage, Waste, and Sanitary Vents
  • 3 questions: Indirect Wastes
  • 4 questions: Roof Drain Piping
  • 5 questions: Specialty Plumbing
  • 20 questions: Isometric Analysis

Business and Law Exam Prep Course:

• Reading and Understanding the PSI Bulletin
• Books That You Should Have During the Exam
• Effective Study Techniques
• Business Organization
• Licensing
• Estimating and Bidding
• Contracts
• Project Management
• Insurance and Bonding
• Recordkeeping
• OSHA Safety
• Personnel Regulations
• Financial Management
• Tax Laws
• Liens

Plumbing Contractor Exam Prep Course:

• Administration
• Definitions
• General Regulations
• Plumbing Math
• Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings
• Water Heaters
• Water Supply & Distribution
• Sanitary Drainage
• Indirect and Special Waste
• Vents
• Traps, Interceptors and Separators
• Storm Drainage
• nonpotable Water Systems
• Subsurface Landscape Irrigation Systems
• Appendices
• Isometrics
• Private Sewage Systems
• International Fuel Gas Code
• Hands-On Practical Application
• Practice Tests

• Akron
• Cambridge
• Cincinnati
• Cleveland
• Columbus North
• Columbus South
• Toledo
• Troy

You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the test.

You may retake either part of the exam if you failed, however you will have to pay the exam fee again. If you fail to pass both sections of the exam within one year from the date of your completed criminal records check, your exam approval will be considered expired.

Plumbing Contractors in Ohio must complete 10* hours of continuing education every year.

Our courses are not currently approved for plumbing continuing education in Ohio.

Things in the plumbing industry change often. As a professional in your trade it is important to keep your knowledge base up to date so you can make practical decisions for your business. Professional development courses are designed to help you improve your industry knowledge. Whether you are looking for information on new avenues to pursue in your business, wanting to brush up on best practices, or are just interested in learning about a particular topic: professional development is for you!

Professional development is different from continuing education. Continuing education courses are mandatory courses that your licensing body wants you to take in order to maintain your license.

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you've entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10–15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

Continuing education requirements vary by state. Each course lists a minimum number of credit hours required to complete the course.

It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!

Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!

After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.

Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.

No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don't pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.

You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.