Ohio Refrigeration License Requirements

Official classification: Refrigeration Contractor (OCILB) · Issued by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Department of Commerce.

🧊 RefrigerationOH ✔ Verified 2026-07-22

In Ohio, refrigeration contractors must hold the Refrigeration Contractor (OCILB), issued by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Department of Commerce, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed refrigeration contractor in Ohio

Follow these steps to earn your Refrigeration Contractor (OCILB). Every figure is verified against the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Department of Commerce; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. 5 years as a tradesperson in the refrigeration trade immediately prior to application; OR 3 years as an Ohio-registered professional engineer with business experience in construction; OR 5 years as an Ohio government refrigeration inspector.
Pass the Ohio Refrigeration Contractor trade exam (60 scored questions, 3 hours) and Contractor's Business and Law exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance ($500,000 minimum contractor liability insurance, required to receive and keep the license), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. BCI and FBI criminal background check required before sitting for the examination
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Department of Commerce — $25 (payable to Treasurer, State of Ohio) application fee, plus a $25 after passing both exam sections, with proof of $500,000 liability insurance license fee. Processing time: Not published by the board.
Keep the license active. Renew 1 year (annual); OCILB compliant-contractor-program members may opt into a 3-year triennial cycle instead, completing 10 classroom hours of approved continuing education each year (OAC 4101:16-2-08).

Ohio refrigeration contractor license lookup

To confirm a refrigeration contractor is properly licensed in Ohio — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official elicense.ohio.gov database →

License types

Refrigeration Contractor — Statewide commercial license — one of the five OCILB specialty trades (alongside electrical, HVAC, hydronics and plumbing). Covers commercial refrigeration work without limit on tons or horsepower, for food and product preservation and similar below-comfort-cooling applications.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	5 years as a tradesperson in the refrigeration trade immediately prior to application; OR 3 years as an Ohio-registered professional engineer with business experience in construction; OR 5 years as an Ohio government refrigeration inspector.
Application fee	$25 (payable to Treasurer, State of Ohio)
License fee	$25 after passing both exam sections, with proof of $500,000 liability insurance
Renewal fee	$60 per year — or $180 for the optional 3-year (triennial) renewal available to compliant-contractor-program members
Renewal period	1 year (annual); OCILB compliant-contractor-program members may opt into a 3-year triennial cycle instead
Continuing education	10 classroom hours of approved continuing education each year (OAC 4101:16-2-08)
Bond required	None required at the state level — OCILB requires liability insurance, not a bond. (Some Ohio municipalities require a bond for local contractor registration.)
Liability insurance	$500,000 minimum contractor liability insurance, required to receive and keep the license
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required with employees (Ohio BWC coverage)
Background check	BCI and FBI criminal background check required before sitting for the examination
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None published for the refrigeration classification — OCILB's reciprocity agreements are trade-specific (its well-known 7-state agreement covers HVAC); contact OCILB to confirm whether an out-of-state refrigeration license qualifies
Processing time	Not published by the board

Exams

Ohio Refrigeration Contractor trade exam (60 scored questions, 3 hours)	Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% · Fee: $69 per registration
Contractor's Business and Law exam	Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% · Fee: $69 per registration

Preparing for the Refrigeration exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

The OCILB license is the statewide commercial credential. Municipalities may additionally require local contractor registration for residential or local work.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Ohio refrigeration license cost?

Application: $25 (payable to Treasurer, State of Ohio). License: $25 after passing both exam sections, with proof of $500,000 liability insurance. Renewal: $60 per year — or $180 for the optional 3-year (triennial) renewal available to compliant-contractor-program members.

How do I look up a refrigeration license in Ohio?

Search the official license database at elicense.ohio.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do refrigerations in Ohio need a surety bond?

None required at the state level — OCILB requires liability insurance, not a bond. (Some Ohio municipalities require a bond for local contractor registration.)

What experience is required for an Ohio refrigeration license?

5 years as a tradesperson in the refrigeration trade immediately prior to application; OR 3 years as an Ohio-registered professional engineer with business experience in construction; OR 5 years as an Ohio government refrigeration inspector.

Is insurance required for refrigerations in Ohio?

Liability: $500,000 minimum contractor liability insurance, required to receive and keep the license Workers' compensation: Required with employees (Ohio BWC coverage)

How often must an Ohio refrigeration license be renewed?

1 year (annual); OCILB compliant-contractor-program members may opt into a 3-year triennial cycle instead. Continuing education: 10 classroom hours of approved continuing education each year (OAC 4101:16-2-08)

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Department of Commerce before applying. This is not legal advice.