Obtaining Your Ohio Electrical License: Steps And Requirements

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Obtaining Your Ohio Electrical License: Steps And Requirements

Field Service Management
October 26, 2023
9 Min Read

An excellent career route is becoming an electrician, which is more than simply a job. Electrical contractors have a variety of job options and make a respectable living. Additionally, there is employment security because customers will always require trained tradespeople to construct and maintain electrical systems in their residences and businesses.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ohio employs 23,890 of the nation’s 711,200 electricians. Over 50,000 additional people will join the ranks of this skilled workforce at the national level, which is expected to increase by 7% between 2021 and 2031. According to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the growth rate is forecast to be higher in Ohio, anticipated at 8%.

Finding experienced tradespeople is a nationwide search for many contractors. According to the Associated General Contractors of America’s 2020 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, hourly craft roles, including plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians, were vacant in 60% of the U.S. and 62% of businesses in Ohio. You will, therefore, have a wide selection of employment to choose from when you’re ready if you receive the required training.

Although being an electrician takes time, you are compensated for your efforts as you learn and develop your skills.

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Ohio’s Licensing Standards for Electricians

After five years of experience working as an employee electrician, Ohio offers a statewide certification qualification process to become a licensed contractor electrician. However, Ohio only requires licenses for commercial or electrical contractors who operate on such projects.

State licenses for electrical contractors are issued by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), an Ohio Department of Commerce division. For residential journeymen or master electricians, Ohio does not require a state-level electrician license.

In just two cities, doing electrical work requires a licensed journeyman electrician. To be eligible to apply for a journeyman electrician license in Middletown and Hamilton, you must have completed an apprenticeship for at least three years and received the necessary technical training.

Five years as an electrician employee under a licensed contractor electrician, as opposed to applying for an electrical contractor license, is permitted in all other municipalities.

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How do you know you are qualified to become an electrician?

The following requirements must be met to become an electrician:

To be eligible, you must fulfill the following conditions:

Eighteen or older
possess a high school diploma or a GED.
maintain a healthy bodily state,
be able to get reliable transportation to get to and from job and school
Be able to work both independently and collaboratively. Follow instructions.

Depending on your state, you need to meet additional requirements before starting your job as an electrician. This article offers details on how to apply for a license in Ohio.

Steps to Get an Electrical License in Ohio

Before you can apply for a license as an electrical contractor in Ohio, you must have five years of experience. There are a few different methods you can use to acquire that knowledge. You could complete a few years of an apprenticeship, enroll in trade school, apply for entry-level jobs, or move up the local industry ladder.

Apprenticeships instruct you in the fundamentals of electrical theory, equipment operation, and wiring. At an internship, you can anticipate both classroom instruction and fieldwork. All apprenticeship programs are designed to produce knowledgeable, creative electricians.

The majority of apprenticeships in Ohio are unionized. You must join a union to apply for an internship in one of Ohio’s numerous Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees. Alternatively, ApprenticeOhio connects prospective apprentices with future mentors through an online portal. In either case, you should plan to finish your apprenticeship in two to four years.

Future electricians can study quickly and with cutting-edge technology at trade schools and technical institutions. Many technical institutions in Ohio offer online courses, allowing you to accomplish your general education requirements fast and concentrate on your profession while still spending most of your time in the classroom or shop.

Sinclair Community College, Northwest State Community College, O.C. Collins Career Center, Miami Valley Career Technology Center, and Vatterott College–Cleveland are the top five colleges in Ohio for electricians. Consult each institution’s financial aid policies because attending college can be pricey.

You can apply for Ohio’s electrical contractor license after gaining five straight years of experience as an electrician. This application must be completed, a $25 application fee paid, proof of liability insurance coverage for at least $500,000, and passing scores on two exams—a trade exam and a business/law exam—are also required.

You must achieve a minimum combined score of 70% on both tests to get your license. Once your application has been approved, you will receive a bulletin outlining the exam.

Types of Ohio Electrical licenses

What kinds of electrical licenses are available in Ohio?

Journeyman: While Ohio does not require journeyman electrician licenses, the cities of Hamilton and Middletown do.

Independent Electrical Contractor: You must obtain a license as an electrical contractor to run your own electrical contracting company.

The licensing specifications call for the following:

A legitimate U.S. ID proving your age is at least 18
Evidence of five years’ worth of engineering or practical electrical trades experience
Being able to pass a federal and state background check
Proof of general liability insurance of at least $500,000
Completing the license exam’s two portions

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Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Electrician in Ohio

Being an Ohio-licensed electrical contractor has many advantages:

According to Ohio law, an electrical contractor cannot legally undertake electrical work without a state license. In the Ohio cities of Hamilton or Middletown, journeyman electrician licenses are necessary for electrical work. In every state in the US, appropriately qualified electricians are knowledgeable about electrical distribution systems and fire protection strategies.
Your trade license demonstrates your experience and ability.
Only licensed electrical contractors may establish a business, promote their services, obtain commercial insurance, obtain building permits, pass inspections, and submit bids for public and government projects.
Getting an electrician’s license protects both your business and your clients.
Your ability to compete in the employment market is boosted by having a license.
Additionally, it boosts your income.