Ohio splits the job. The state board licenses commercial electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics and refrigeration contractors, and leaves residential work to local building departments. Licensed contractors must show their number as OH LIC# in their ads. We build Ohio contractor websites that get that format right and turn visitors into booked jobs.
Ohio's Construction Industry Licensing Board covers five commercial trades, and its rule spells out where the license number goes: advertisements, contracts, business cards and named vehicles, in a set format. Residential contractors answer to their city or county instead, and Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo all require local registration or licensing. Door-to-door sales come with a cancellation right as well. Your site shows the state and local credentials you actually hold, nothing more and nothing less.
Holders of a state OCILB license (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics, refrigeration) must show their license number, written as OH LIC#, on business locations, business cards, named vehicles, contracts and advertisements. Trades without a state license have no state ad rule.
"shall display the license number assigned by the administrative section on items associated with the specialty contracting business."
Whatever you hold in Ohio, a state license, a registration or a city license, we put the number in the footer of every page and on your quote page, matching your Google Business Profile. Customers look you up before they call, and a number they can verify wins the job.
Main agency: Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Division of Industrial Compliance, Ohio Department of Commerce. Ohio's state board licenses only commercial electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics and refrigeration contractors, and says all local building and health departments regulate residential contractors. No statewide license was found for roofers, general or home improvement contractors, handymen or landscapers (other than pesticide application).
Local rules on top of the state's. Open a city to see what it requires.
Yes. The Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS) requires a license or registration for all contractors: a City of Columbus home improvement contractor license for structural work on existing 1-, 2- and 3-family homes, general contractor registration for larger work, and electrical, HVAC, refrigeration, hydronics and plumbing contractors must first hold the matching Ohio license.
"All contractors performing work within the city are required to obtain the appropriate license or registration"
Yes. The Department of Building and Housing requires contractors to be bonded, insured and registered; electricians and plumbers must also be licensed.
"To build or rehabilitate Cleveland homes, contractors must be bonded, insured, and registered. Electricians and plumbers must also be licensed."
Yes. The Department of Buildings and Inspections requires every contractor working in city limits to hold a contractor registration, renewed every year (Municipal Code Chapter 1106).
"The City of Cincinnati requires all contractors performing work in the City of Cincinnati limits, to maintain a current contractor registration, which must be renewed on an annual basis"
Yes. The Division of Building Inspection requires contractors to register and hold a city license, with categories including home remodeling, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics, refrigeration, fire and sign contractors.
"The City of Toledo requires that contractors register and maintain a license to do business in the City."
Full example sites for inspectors, engineers, adjusters, movers, junk haulers and more.
Website built free first, Google reviews, missed-call text-back, booking and follow-up. No contract.
