Ohio Contractor License Exam: What's Required and How It Works
Which Exams Ohio Actually Requires
Ohio's exam landscape is narrower than most people expect. The state doesn't test general contractors at all — there's no state-level GC license, so there's no state-level GC exam. Testing requirements come from two separate tracks, and which one applies depends on the type of work you do and where you do it.
OCILB Specialty Trade Exams (State Level)
If you're applying for a state commercial specialty trade license through the OCILB — electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing, or refrigeration — you need to pass two computer-based exams administered by PSI Services:
Trade-Specific Exam: Covers the technical knowledge for your specific trade. The content, reference materials, and time limits vary by trade.
Business and Law Exam: 50 open-book questions with a two-hour time limit. You can bring reference materials, but no writing or markings are allowed in the reference books you use during the exam.
Both exams require a passing score of 70% or higher. The testing fee is $69 per exam, or $100 if you take both in the same session — a small savings worth planning for.
If you fail, you have to wait 60 days before retaking the exam. After five failed attempts, your eligibility is revoked entirely and you must resubmit a new application to the OCILB board.
Columbus ICC 767 Exam (Municipal Level)
Columbus is a major Ohio city that requires a competency exam for home improvement contractors. The test is the ICC 767 — the National Standard Home Improvement Contractor exam developed by the International Code Council.
This exam is required for the HIC General classification, which covers structural additions, alterations, repairs, and accessory structures on residential one-, two-, or three-family dwellings. You need a 70% passing score.
The HIC Limited classification (covering specific trades like roofing, siding, or windows) doesn't require the ICC 767 — just one year of trade-specific experience.
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Cities That Don't Test
Cleveland and Cincinnati don't require an exam for general contractor registration. Cleveland's registration is entirely documentation-based — notarized application, bond, insurance, and corporate documents. Cincinnati's system is similar, with the addition of an Income Tax Contractor Application for municipal tax compliance.
This doesn't mean registration is automatic. Each city reviews your bond, insurance, and entity documentation carefully, and name mismatches or missing documents will delay the process.
The Exam Requirements at a Glance
| Exam | Who Needs It | Administered By | Passing Score | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCILB Trade Exam | Commercial specialty trade applicants | PSI Services | 70% | $69 (or $100 for both) |
| OCILB Business & Law | Commercial specialty trade applicants | PSI Services | 70% | Included in combo |
| ICC 767 | Columbus HIC General applicants | ICC | 70% | Varies by testing center |
Getting Your Compliance Sequence Right
The exam is only one step in a longer application process that includes experience documentation, background checks, insurance, and local registration. The Ohio General Contractor License Guide lays out the complete compliance sequence — from business formation through exam scheduling to permit-pulling — so you don't hit a step out of order and lose time.
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Download the Ohio — General Contractor License Requirements Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.