Ohio electrical license renewal requires 10 hours of continuing education (CE, approved classes that keep a license current) every year, at least 5 of them on the electrical code. The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) licenses electrical contractors and sets the hours in Ohio Adm. Code 4101:16-2-08. Licensees with a clean record can join the compliant contractor program and take 8 hours a year instead. You renew once a year on Ohio's eLicense site.
| Quick facts | Ohio electrical CE |
|---|---|
| Hours | 10 a year. In the compliant contractor program: 8 a year, or 24 every 3 years. |
| Cycle | Yearly, on the expiration date of your original license (ORC 4740.06). Program members may renew every 3 years. |
| Deadline | Your expiration date. You can apply up to 90 days early. |
| Required topics | Electrical license only: at least 5 hours of electrical code, plus 5 in health and safety, business or technology |
| Who needs CE | Holders of an OCILB contractor license: electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics or refrigeration |
| Online allowed | Up to half your required hours (4101:16-3-03) |
| Reporting | The training agency sends OCILB a roster within 14 days of the course. |
| JCR approval | OCILB-approved 8-hour and 4-hour classes, in person or virtual, per JCR's Ohio reporting page |
How many CE hours does an Ohio electrical contractor need?
Ten a year. How they split depends on the licenses you hold:
- Electrical license only: 5 hours of electrical code and 5 in health and safety, business or technology, all approved by the board's electrical section.
- Electrical plus another OCILB license: 5 hours of electrical code and 5 in any course a specialty section approved.
- Compliant contractor program: 2 hours fewer, so 8 a year, or 24 if you renew every 3 years.
A classroom hour is at least 50 minutes. Extra hours don't carry over, and you can earn at most 10 hours in one day.
Need Ohio CE hours? JCR CE classes are $230 for 8 hours, in Raleigh, Asheville, Mooresville (Charlotte area) or live on Zoom, plus a bonus 8-hour online video course. JCR CE is approved in 20+ states. In Ohio, JCR's 8-hour 2023 Review & Renew class is approved in person or virtual. Add Ohio state reporting for $40.
Who qualifies for Ohio's compliant contractor program?
- Existing licensees with 1 year of compliance: renewals and fees on time, and no discipline.
- New licensees first need one compliant license period.
- How to join: send the board's program form with your renewal.
The board can remove a member who breaks the rules. You can rejoin after a new qualifying year.
Can Ohio electrical continuing education be online?
Partly. Online or computer-based courses can cover up to half the hours you need: 5 of 10, or 4 of 8 in the compliant program. Find approved classes on OCILB's CE lookup.
How do I renew an Ohio electrical license?
- Finish your CE hours before your expiration date.
- Renew on eLicense Ohio, up to 90 days early.
- Pay the renewal fee: $60 a year, or $180 for a 3-year renewal in the compliant program.
- Certify your insurance: at least $500,000 in contractor liability coverage.
Missed the deadline? If your CE isn't done by your expiration date, the license is suspended automatically. Within 1 year, you can reactivate it with the renewal fee, a late fee of up to $120, proof of insurance and your CE hours. After that year, the license is revoked.
The board may waive or extend hours for certified illness, disability, military service, foreign residence or excusable neglect. Ask within 1 year of expiration.
Ohio electrical CE questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew an Ohio electrical license?
Ten hours a year, at least 5 on electrical code. Compliant contractor program members need 8 a year, or 24 every 3 years.
What is Ohio's compliant contractor program?
A program for licensees with a year of on-time renewals and no discipline. Members take 2 fewer CE hours a year and may renew every 3 years.
How many Ohio electrical CE hours can be online?
Up to half the hours required for your renewal.
What happens if I miss my Ohio CE deadline?
Your license is suspended automatically. You have 1 year to reactivate it with the renewal fee, a late fee, proof of insurance and your hours.
Do extra Ohio CE hours carry over?
No. Hours above your requirement don't count toward the next renewal.
Ohio electrical continuing education with JCR
JCR's Ohio reporting page lists these OCILB approvals:
- 8 hours: 2023 Review & Renew, full day, in person or virtual
- 4 hours: 2023 Review, morning session, in person or virtual
Sign the Ohio roster when you arrive and include your license number.
The approval names each course and its hours. It doesn't say how OCILB splits those hours between code and other topics, or whether the virtual class counts toward the online limit. Confirm both with OCILB before you count them.
Add Ohio state reporting for $40.
Sources
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board
- OAC 4101:16-2-08, CE hours
- OAC 4101:16-1-08, compliant contractor program
- OAC 4101:16-2-07, renewal
- OAC 4101:16-2-09, fees
- OAC 4101:16-3-02, CE reporting
- OAC 4101:16-3-03, course approval and online limit
- ORC 4740.06, license renewal
- OCILB CE lookup
Last checked October 21, 2026: OCILB's board page, ORC 4740.06 and Ohio Adm. Code 4101:16-1-08, 4101:16-2-07, 4101:16-2-08, 4101:16-2-09, 4101:16-3-02 and 4101:16-3-03.