Ohio HVAC License: How to Get Certified as an HVAC Contractor in OH

Do you need an HVAC license in Ohio?

Yes, you need a license from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) to do HVAC and refrigeration contracting work in the state. The OCILB is a division of the Ohio Department of Commerce and follows regulations outlined in the state’s revised code to license and register certain types of construction work. 

As a licensed HVAC contractor, you can install, repair, and perform maintenance work on any systems used to heat, ventilate, or cool buildings in the state of Ohio.

Anyone who wants to do refrigeration work alongside traditional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services in the United States also needs to become a certified technician under Section 608 of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Clean Air Act. 

The EPA defines Section 608 Technicians as contractors who “maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere.” 

This also includes the following work: 

• Adding or removing the refrigerant component of an appliance
• Adding or removing the hoses and gauges from an appliance to measure its pressure
• Any other activity that may involve exposing the byproducts of refrigeration

Types of HVAC licenses in Ohio

The OCILB only offers a single HVAC contractor license, also referred to as a master license, while some states offer different types of HVAC licenses based on your level of experience or education. With a full HVAC contractor license in Ohio, you can work on any type of heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system in the state. 

For Section 608 Technicians (including HVAC contractors who will work with refrigerants), the EPA’s Clean Air Act offers these certification types:

Benefits of getting an HVAC license in Ohio

Getting your HVAC license in Ohio offers more than just allowing you to legally work as a contractor in the state. Other benefits include:

• Room to grow: Getting your license opens doors to long-term stability as an HVAC contractor, like the ability to start your own business.
• Builds a reputation: An HVAC license is a badge that represents your skills and experience within the industry. Clients will feel confident hiring you and your company.
• More work opportunities: As a licensed HVAC contractor, you’ll be able to work on all types of residential and commercial sites.
• More money potential: The more experience and credentials you have, which includes your HVAC license and Section 608 certification, the more earning potential you have.

Ohio HVAC license requirements

You will need to meet the requirements set out by the OCILB to become a licensed HVAC contractor in Ohio. The Construction Industries Licensing Board outlines the following requirements that potential HVAC contractors must meet before licensing: 

• Individual must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be a U.S. citizen or legal alien (must provide proof) and allowed to work in the United States
• Have at least five years of experience working in the HVAC trade prior to your application, or be currently registered as an engineer with three years of experience
• Have a criminal record clear of disqualifying offenses outlined by the OCILB Offense List
• Pass both the Business & Law and HVAC Trade exams with a score of at least 70%
• Possess a minimum of $500,000 in contractor liability coverage
• Pay all applicable licensing and exam fees

If you plan to perform both HVAC and refrigeration work in Ohio, you will also need to write the EPA’s test for one of the four types of refrigerant technician certifications.

How do I get an HVAC license in Ohio?

In order to get your HVAC license in Ohio, you need to follow the licensing steps outlined by the OCILB: 

• Fill out the OCILB Exam Application form, select HVAC contractor, and include all the necessary information:
  • Status as a US citizen or documentation of legal residence
  • The contact information of the company you will work for as a contractor
  • Proof of your five years of experience with copies of permits and tax documents, such as W-2s or Schedule C form 1040
  • Current journeyman’s card
  • Proof of completion of an apprenticeship program approved by the state of Ohio or the U.S. Department of Labor
  • Proof of 40 hours of continuing education from an OCILB-approved program
• Once approved by the Board, complete and submit a background check proving you have not been convicted of a disqualifying offense (this must be completed before you take your exam)—valid for 1 year
• Write and pass both the Business & Law and HVAC Contractor Trade exams with a score of at least 70%
• Secure at least $500,000 in contractor liability insurance coverage

Apply through the OCILB’s online portal or by sending the notarized application form to the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board office at the following address:

6606 Tussing Road
P.O. Box 4009
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-9009

Ohio HVAC license exams

To get your Ohio HVAC contractor’s license, you will need to write two exams: the Business & Law exam and the HVAC Contractor Trade exam. In Ohio, all contractor licensing is carried out by the testing vendor PSI. 

Here’s some key information you should know before writing the exam:

If you have any questions about writing these exams through PSI, check out the vendor’s candidate information bulletin.

Note that the state exams might not be the only tests you need to pass in order to work in the HVAC industry. If you plan to perform refrigeration work, there are also the federal exams required under the EPA’s Clean Air Act.

You will find more information about the Section 608 Technician Certification test topics on the EPA website.

Does my Ohio HVAC license work in any other states?

The OCILB will reciprocate your HVAC license if it comes from one of the following states, provided you’ve taken a state-recognized test. 

• Alabama
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• West Virginia

If you have been grandfathered in by the governing body of one of these states, you are not eligible for a reciprocal license.

Reciprocal licenses allow contractors from other states to apply directly for an equivalent license in another state, expediting the process.

How much does an HVAC license in Ohio cost?

To get your initial HVAC contractor license in Ohio, you can expect to pay at least $190. The Department of Commerce outlines exactly how much you need to pay in order to get certain licenses in Ohio.

If you require EPA certification as a Section 608 Technician, expect to pay anywhere from $10-$150 for training and exams.

You will also need to budget for fees associated with getting general liability insurance. In Ohio, the average monthly premiums are $96 with an average annual cost of $1,153.

Ohio HVAC license renewal

All contractor licenses in Ohio are renewed through the CILB on either a one- or three-year interval. Section 608 Technician credentials do not expire and do not require renewal.

You can renew your HVAC license online using the OCILB’s eLicense portal or by filling out the physical form. 

As of September 2018, all contractors in Ohio need to complete at least eight hours of online continuing education in their field to qualify for renewal. If you have a three-year license, you will need to complete 24 hours of online education before renewal. 

How long does it take to get an HVAC license in Ohio?

It takes a minimum of five years to be eligible for an HVAC contractor’s license in Ohio. Over the course of the 5 years, you’ll be able to work in the HVAC industry to gain the necessary experience (and paychecks) while you work towards all the licensing requirements.

HVAC training programs and schools in Ohio

Many HVAC professionals go through an accredited training program or school in order to learn about the trade and stay up to date with the latest industry standards and innovations.

Ohio is home to many reputable training programs and schools. These institutions are approved by the two main organizations responsible for accrediting high schools and post-secondary institutions across the U.S. and in the state:

• HVAC Excellence 
• Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).

The only school accredited by both organizations in the state is the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima. The rest of the schools, which include both high schools and post-secondary schools, are accredited by PAHRA.

Post-secondary schools:

• Belmont College – St. Clairsville
• Cuyahoga Valley Career Center – Brecksville
• Great Oaks Institute of Technology – Cincinnati
• Fortis College – Centerville
• Miami Valley Career Center – Clayton

These programs take anywhere from 45 weeks to 2 years to complete.

High schools:

• North High School – Akron
• Pike County Career Tech Center – Piketon
• RG Drage Career Center – Massillon

These programs are designed to give high school students the opportunity to enter the HVAC industry right after graduation. There are 2- and 3-year career pathways available as part of the different curriculums.

How to start an HVAC business in Ohio

After securing your Ohio HVAC contractor license and building up your experience, you’re ready to take the next step toward a brighter financial future: starting your own HVAC business. 

The state website offers a one-stop business resource page for anyone interested in starting their own business. The page contains information on all the steps you need to take to operate a business in Ohio, including: 

• Choosing a business name and a legal structure
• Registering with the Secretary of State’s office
• Meeting all business tax requirements
• Meeting any additional insurance requirements

Once you’ve met the Ohio business requirements, there are some practical steps to starting an HVAC business that you’ll also want to consider—like pricing HVAC jobs, finding the necessary equipment, and setting up your HVAC business software.

How much do HVAC contractors make in Ohio? 

The average salary for an HVACR technician in Ohio is $58,390—however, the top 10% of earners make more than $80,000. You also have the opportunity to earn even more as an HVAC contractor by starting your own business.

If you want to learn more about HVAC salaries across the U.S. and your ability to increase your earning potential, check out our HVAC salary guide for 2025.

Originally published in November 2023. Last updated on November 3rd, 2025.