If you’re looking for a rewarding and hands-on career in Ohio, plumbing might be your perfect fit.
Often operating behind the scenes, the work of plumbers is crucial to the seamless functioning of our daily lives.
Plumbing is the bedrock of contemporary infrastructure, guaranteeing a clean water supply and effective wastewater removal.
If contributing to the essential plumbing network sounds like your career path, this article will inform you of everything you need to know to become a plumber in Ohio.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Plumber in Ohio – Step by Step
You have to be at least 18 years old to start your plumbing career in Ohio.
To be able to work in the United States, you must also be a citizen of the country or possess the necessary paperwork that proves you are eligible to work in the States.
Ohio issues only one type of plumbing license, the plumbing Contractor license.
Ohio Plumbing Contractor License
To begin your plumbing Contractor License you must meet certain requirements.
You must have one of the following experience levels to apply for the license:
- you must have at least 5 years of experience as a tradesperson immediately before application
- have at least three years of experience as a registered OH engineer in the relevant trade
After obtaining the required experience you can go on and apply for the Contractor exam.
You need to submit an application form along with a complete State & Federal background check and pay the $25 application fee.
In addition, you need to pay the examination fee which is $69 per portion or $138 for the entire exam.
The examination consists of 2 parts:
- Plumbing Contractor Exam
- Business & Law Exam
Plumbing Contractor Exam
The Plumbing Contractor portion of the exam is an open-book exam that consists of 100 questions and has a 4-hour time limit.
The questions are divided in the following way:
- 8 questions: General Knowledge
- 20 questions: General Regulations
- 6 questions: Plumbing Fixtures
- 10 questions: Water Supply Systems
- 24 questions: Drainage, Waste, and Sanitary Vents
- 3 questions: Indirect Wastes
- 4 questions: Roof Drain Piping
- 5 questions: Specialty Plumbing
- 20 questions: Isometric Analysis
You need a score of 70% or higher to pass the exam.
Business & Law Exam
The Business & Law portion of the exam is an open-book exam that consists of 50 questions and has a 2-hour time limit.
The questions are divided in the following way:
- 2 questions: Business Organization
- 3 questions: Licensing
- 8 questions: Estimating & Bidding
- 5 questions: Contract Management
- 4 questions: Project Management
- 5 questions: Insurance & Bonding
- 5 questions: OSHA Record Keeping and Safety
- 5 questions: Personnel Regulations
- 6 questions: Financial Management
- 5 questions: Tax Laws
- 2 questions: Lien Laws
You need a score of 70% or higher to pass the exam.
You will receive your results immediately after completing the exams.
If you pass both of the exams you will go on and apply for your Plumbing Contractor License.
Your license application must be filed with your exam results and proof of at least $500,000 in contractor liability insurance, known as a “Certificate of Liability Insurance”.
Both your license and liability insurance need to be linked to a contracting company.
You should send the documents to the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board by mail.
If you fail the exam, you can retake any part of it, but you’ll have to pay the exam cost again.
If you are unable to pass both exam sections within a year of the conclusion of your criminal records check, your test approval will be considered expired.
Plumbing Schools in Ohio
There are great schooling and apprenticeship programs for aspiring plumbers in Ohio.
Here are some of the current best options we suggest.
Cuyahoga Community College
Cuyahoga Community College offers a plumbing program that results in an Associate of Applied Science degree in Applied Industrial Technology with a concentration in Plumbing. 
The focus of their five-year apprenticeship program is on developing the skill set necessary to become a highly skilled craftsman.
The installation, maintenance, and servicing of plumbing and pipe systems, as well as equipment used for waste disposal, sanitary storm
water systems, and the distribution of drinkable water, will all be included in the apprenticeship program.
Plumbers can also find further chances in technical installations for medical gas, hydronic in-floor heating, solar panels, heat pumps, cross
connection control, and many other systems required for public health and safety.
To learn more about the program, its courses, and how to apply visit their website.
Pacon Plumbing School
Pacon Plumbing School offers a 4-year plumbing apprenticeship program. 
To apply for the program you must be at least 18 years old and have a High School Diploma or the GED equivalent.
You must also have a valid driver’s license and be employed full-time by a plumbing contractor.
The program consists of 144 hours annually or 576 hours total.
To learn more about the program, its courses, and how to apply visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Cuyahoga Community College | 4250 Richmond Rd, Highland Hills, OH 44122, United States |
| Pacon Plumbing School | 5210 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230, United States |
Salary
Ohio rewards the hardworking hands of its plumbers with fair wages for the demanding work they put into keeping their plumbing systems running smoothly.
Annual wages vary anywhere between $46706 and $79228.
In Ohio, plumbers currently make an estimated $62904 a year on average.
Cleveland and Lakewood tie for the first place with the highest average annual wages in Ohio estimated at $63313.
And Columbus is right behind with $62975.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Cleveland | $63,313 |
| Lakewood | $63,313 |
| Columbus | $62,975 |
| Cincinnati | $62,720 |
| Lorain | $62,643 |
| Dayton | $62,220 |
| Toledo | $61,976 |
| Akron | $61,578 |
| Youngstown | $60,405 |
| Canton | $60,319 |
Regional Salary in Ohio
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 870 | $67,840 | $32.62 | $92,970 | $40,760 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 430 | $68,580 | $32.97 | $95,270 | $40,300 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 2,920 | $68,540 | $32.95 | $95,900 | $39,600 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 2,030 | $70,080 | $33.69 | $96,410 | $39,770 |
| Columbus, OH | 2,490 | $68,690 | $33.03 | $93,680 | $40,100 |
| Dayton, OH | 930 | $66,140 | $31.8 | $93,590 | $43,190 |
| Lima, OH | 100 | $65,080 | $31.29 | $99,730 | $39,700 |
| Mansfield, OH | 120 | $58,480 | $28.12 | $80,370 | $36,760 |
| Springfield, OH | 60 | $64,680 | $31.09 | $94,360 | $39,190 |
| Toledo, OH | 620 | $70,720 | $34 | $102,490 | $38,330 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 320 | $61,610 | $29.62 | $82,890 | $38,420 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I take the Plumbing Contractor Exam in Ohio?
In Ohio, you can take the Plumbing Contractor exam in the following cities:
- Akron
- Cambridge
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus North
- Columbus South
- Toledo
- Troy
When should I renew my Ohio Plumbing Contractor License?
In Ohio, Plumbing Contractor Licenses expire every year or every three years.
How much does a Plumbing Contractor License renewal cost in Ohio?
To annually renew your Plumbing Contractor License in Ohio there is a $60 renewal fee.
To renew your Plumbing Contractor License every three years in Ohio there is a $180 renewal fee.
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