Do you need a license to do electrical work in Ohio?
Yes. In Ohio, a contractor doing electrical work on a commercial construction project must hold an electrical contractor license from the Ohio construction industry licensing board, though one-, two- and three-family homes are outside the state license. The chapter’s "construction project" excludes a residential building, which Ohio Rev. Code § 3781.06 defines as a one-, two- or three-family dwelling house and its accessory structures, so residential electrical licensing is left to local governments. Work limited to systems under 50 volts (fire or burglar alarms, cabling, tele-data, sound, communication, landscape lighting and irrigation) is not electrical contracting under the chapter. This is Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4740.01, 4740.13, 3781.06.
| What | Ohio |
|---|---|
| Electrician license | State contractor license (commercial work only) |
Source
Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4740.01, 4740.13, 3781.06
Read the statute in the Ohio Revised Code (Ohio Legislative Service Commission): codes.ohio.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
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Guides on this rule
- Contractor License Requirements by State: Every Trade — Which states require a state license for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, general and home improvement contractors, with the statute for each.
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