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Ohio Journeyman & Master Electrician License & Exam Guide

Journeyman and master electrician license and test requirements in Ohio — what the state requires, who gives the exam, which NEC edition it is written on, the fees, and how to sign up. Free — no account needed.

Ohio

State + local
Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Ohio Department of Commerce
Testing provider: PSI(614) 644-3493 (OCILB)
📕 Exam code book: 2023 NEC. The OCILB/PSI Electrical Trade exam candidate bulletin lists NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code, 2023 edition (and the 2023 NEC Handbook) as the primary allowed reference. Note: local (municipal) journeyman exams may use a different edition.
💵 Exam: ~$65-69 per exam paid to PSI (Electrical Trade exam plus Business & Law exam); confirm current PSI bulletin  ·  License/app: $25 application fee to OCILB (state Electrical Contractor license); local journeyman/master fees vary
📋 Exam format: No statewide journeyman exam (journeyman is municipal). State Electrical Contractor credential via PSI: Electrical Trade exam = 100 questions, 4 hours (some sources cite up to 5 hours); Business & Law exam = 50 questions, 2 hours. Both OPEN-book (references may be highlighted/indexed but not written in). 70% to pass each. Source: OCILB Testing Application / mikeholt.com/statelicense.php?id=OH

Journeyman

Ohio has NO statewide journeyman electrician license. Journeyman licensing is handled entirely by municipalities (e.g., Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo), each with its own experience and exam requirements. Check the local city/county for journeyman requirements.

Master

Ohio does not issue a statewide 'master' license; the state credential is the OCILB Electrical Contractor (commercial) license, requiring at least 5 years of experience in the trade, passing the PSI electrical trade exam and a business & law exam (min 70%), a background check, and $500,000 general liability insurance. Local master licenses are issued by cities.

🔄 Reciprocity: OCILB Electrical Contractor reciprocity with West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana and Tennessee. Offered only to those who passed the state-recognized exam (grandfathered licensees ineligible); reciprocal applicants take an Ohio refresher in their second year. Verify at link (OCILB)
Note: OCILB issues only a state-level COMMERCIAL Electrical Contractor license (not journeyman, not residential). Journeyman and residential/master licensing is local/municipal. Exams administered by PSI; apply and pay through the OCILB eLicense Center (elicense4.com.ohio.gov).

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Ohio Electrician License & Exam — Common Questions

Who gives the Ohio electrician license exam?

Ohio uses PSI as its testing provider. Licensing is handled by Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Ohio Department of Commerce.

Which NEC code book is the Ohio electrician exam written on?

2023 NEC. The OCILB/PSI Electrical Trade exam candidate bulletin lists NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code, 2023 edition (and the 2023 NEC Handbook) as the primary allowed reference. Note: local (municipal) journeyman exams may use a different edition.

How many questions are on the Ohio electrician exam, and what score do you need to pass?

No statewide journeyman exam (journeyman is municipal). State Electrical Contractor credential via PSI: Electrical Trade exam = 100 questions, 4 hours (some sources cite up to 5 hours); Business & Law exam = 50 questions, 2 hours. Both OPEN-book (references may be highlighted/indexed but not written in). 70% to pass each. Source: OCILB Testing Application / mikeholt.com/statelicense.php?id=OH

How much does the Ohio electrician license and exam cost?

~$65-69 per exam paid to PSI (Electrical Trade exam plus Business & Law exam); confirm current PSI bulletin · License/app: $25 application fee to OCILB (state Electrical Contractor license); local journeyman/master fees vary

How many hours of experience do you need for an Ohio journeyman electrician license?

Ohio has NO statewide journeyman electrician license. Journeyman licensing is handled entirely by municipalities (e.g., Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo), each with its own experience and exam requirements. Check the local city/county for journeyman requirements.

What are the requirements for an Ohio master electrician license?

Ohio does not issue a statewide 'master' license; the state credential is the OCILB Electrical Contractor (commercial) license, requiring at least 5 years of experience in the trade, passing the PSI electrical trade exam and a business & law exam (min 70%), a background check, and $500,000 general liability insurance. Local master licenses are issued by cities.

What is the difference between a journeyman and a master electrician license in Ohio?

Journeyman: Ohio has NO statewide journeyman electrician license. Journeyman licensing is handled entirely by municipalities (e.g., Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo), each with its own experience and exam requirements. Check the local city/county for journeyman requirements. Master: Ohio does not issue a statewide 'master' license; the state credential is the OCILB Electrical Contractor (commercial) license, requiring at least 5 years of experience in the trade, passing the PSI electrical trade exam and a business & law exam (min 70%), a background check, and $500,000 general liability insurance. Local master licenses are issued by cities.

Does Ohio have electrician license reciprocity with other states?

OCILB Electrical Contractor reciprocity with West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana and Tennessee. Offered only to those who passed the state-recognized exam (grandfathered licensees ineligible); reciprocal applicants take an Ohio refresher in their second year. Verify at link (OCILB)

Anything else worth knowing about the Ohio electrician license?

OCILB issues only a state-level COMMERCIAL Electrical Contractor license (not journeyman, not residential). Journeyman and residential/master licensing is local/municipal. Exams administered by PSI; apply and pay through the OCILB eLicense Center (elicense4.com.ohio.gov).

Check it straight from Ohio

Everything above is kept current, but Ohio can change a fee, a form or an exam provider at any time — and the state's own site is always the live answer. Before you register, click through and confirm:

These open Ohio's official pages in a new tab. Nothing on this site replaces what your state board publishes.

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