State Guides · Ohio
Ohio Electrician License and Permit Guide
Ohio splits electrical licensing between the state OCILB and local building departments. Learn how to check a license, who pulls permits and which code applies.
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Free matching service · Updated Sep 28, 2026
Electricians in Ohio
Tell us what you need and we'll find the right local electrician for your project. We know 15 electricians serving Ohio.
Ohio handles electrical licensing in two layers. The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) issues state electrical contractor licenses for commercial work, while residential electricians are regulated by city and county building departments, many of which require that same state license before they will issue a permit. Home wiring falls under the Residential Code of Ohio, whose electrical rules have been based on the 2023 National Electrical Code since April 15, 2024. Cold Arctic air in winter, summer thunderstorms and heavy lake-effect snow east of Cleveland make service upgrades, surge protection and standby generators common requests, and older housing in cities like Cleveland often needs wiring updates.Our ranking lists local companies that serve homeowners, with the details you need to check a contractor before you call: years in business, license information, service area and hours.
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Local electricians we know in Ohio
Safe Electric & Plumbing
13 services
Ceiling Fan InstallationElectrical RemodelingElectrical Safety InspectionsEmergency Electrical ServiceEV ChargersGenerator Transfer SwitchesGeneratorsLightingPanel UpgradesPool WiringRepairs & TroubleshootingWhole-Home Surge Protection+1 moreLipps Electric
4.9Insured11 services
Ceiling Fan InstallationCircuit Breaker ServiceEmergency Electrical ServiceEV ChargersHome Standby Generator InstallationLightingOutlet & Switch InstallationPanel UpgradesRepairs & TroubleshootingSmoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector InstallationWhole-Home Surge ProtectionCraftsman Electric
4.9Insured10 services
Electrical RemodelingEmergency Electrical ServiceEV ChargersGenerator MaintenanceGeneratorsLightingOutlet & Switch InstallationPanel UpgradesRepairs & TroubleshootingWhole-Home RewiringTri-County Electric Service
9 services
Ceiling Fan InstallationCircuit Breaker ServiceCommercial Electrical Build-OutsEmergency Electrical ServiceEV ChargersHome Standby Generator InstallationHot Tub & Spa WiringPanel UpgradesRepairs & TroubleshootingCooper Electric
4.7Insured14 services
Aluminum Wiring RepairCeiling Fan InstallationCSST Gas Line BondingData CablingDedicated CircuitsElectrical Service UpgradesEV ChargersGFCI Outlet InstallationHot Tub & Spa WiringInfrared Electrical InspectionsLightingPanel Upgrades+2 moreGreat Lakes Electrical Contracting
4.7Insured16 services
Bathroom & Exhaust Fan InstallationCeiling Fan InstallationDedicated CircuitsElectrical Code CorrectionsElectrical RemodelingElectrical Service UpgradesEmergency Electrical ServiceGeneratorsGFCI Outlet InstallationHome Theater WiringLightingNew Construction Electrical+4 moreANR Electric
4.7Insured14 services
Basement ElectricalBathroom & Exhaust Fan InstallationCeiling Fan InstallationCommercial Electrical Build-OutsElectrical Code CorrectionsElectrical Service UpgradesEmergency Electrical ServiceEV ChargersHome Standby Generator InstallationLightingLow-Voltage SystemsNew Construction Electrical+2 moreWeekley Electric
4.5Insured12 services
Electrical RemodelingElectrical Service UpgradesEmergency Electrical ServiceEV ChargersGenerator MaintenanceGeneratorsHome Standby Generator InstallationNew Construction ElectricalPanel UpgradesRepairs & TroubleshootingSecurity Camera WiringSmart Home WiringRiverside Electric
8 services
Commercial Electrical Build-OutsElectrical RetrofitsEV ChargersGenerator MaintenanceGenerator Remote MonitoringGeneratorsHome Standby Generator InstallationLightingNabi Electric
18 services
Ceiling Fan InstallationCircuit Breaker ServiceData CablingElectrical Safety InspectionsEmergency Electrical ServiceEV ChargersFire Alarm SystemsGeneratorsHome Theater WiringHot Tub & Spa WiringLightingOutlet & Switch Installation+6 moreDependable Electric
3.6Insured16 services
Ceiling Fan InstallationCircuit Breaker ServiceDedicated CircuitsElectrical Code CorrectionsElectrical Service UpgradesEmergency Electrical ServiceGFCI Outlet InstallationLightingNew Construction ElectricalOutlet & Switch InstallationPanel UpgradesRepairs & Troubleshooting+4 moreLyons Electric
11 services
Dedicated CircuitsElectrical Code CorrectionsElectrical Service UpgradesEmergency Electrical ServiceGFCI Outlet InstallationHot Tub & Spa WiringLightingNew Construction ElectricalPool WiringRepairs & TroubleshootingWiring & RewiringCurry Electric
16 services
Aluminum Wiring RepairCeiling Fan InstallationCircuit Breaker ServiceData CablingDedicated CircuitsElectrical Safety InspectionsEmergency Electrical ServiceFuse Box ReplacementGeneratorsHot Tub & Spa WiringLightingLightning Protection+4 moreFrey Electric
5 services
Electrical RetrofitsGeneratorsLightingNew Construction ElectricalRepairs & TroubleshootingLarkin Electric Co.
11 services
Aluminum Wiring RepairData CablingElectrical RemodelingElectrical Safety InspectionsFire Alarm SystemsGeneratorsLightingNew Construction ElectricalRepairs & TroubleshootingUnderground Wire RepairWiring & Rewiring
Guides for Ohio
All Ohio guidesQuestions from Ohio homeowners
Does Ohio license residential electricians?
The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) licenses electrical contractors for commercial work; it does not issue journeyman licenses. Residential electrical contractors are regulated by local building departments, and state law lets those departments require the OCILB license for residential work.
How can I check an Ohio electrical contractor's license?
Search the OCILB eLicense Center by name or license number and choose the electrical contractor (EL) license type. The result shows whether the license is active. Also ask your city building department whether the contractor is registered there.
What are the requirements for an OCILB electrical contractor license?
Applicants must be at least 18, have at least five years of experience in the trade (or be an Ohio-registered engineer with three years of construction business experience in the trade) and pass the state examination. License holders must complete continuing education, and for the electrical trade half of those hours must cover the code.
Which electrical code applies to homes in Ohio?
One-, two- and three-family homes follow the Residential Code of Ohio, adopted by the Ohio Board of Building Standards. Its electrical chapter is based on the 2023 National Electrical Code with Ohio changes and took effect on April 15, 2024.
Do I need a permit for electrical work on my house?
Most new circuits, panel upgrades and wiring changes need a permit from your local building department, while minor repairs such as replacing a bulb usually do not. In Columbus, for example, only an OCILB-licensed contractor registered with Building and Zoning Services or the homeowner who lives in the house may pull an electrical permit.
Can I do my own electrical work in Ohio?
Rules vary by city. Columbus and Dayton let an owner who lives in a single-family home do the work after getting a permit, but rental properties and duplexes need a contractor registered with the city.
Who inspects electrical work in Cincinnati?
The City of Cincinnati contracts electrical permits, plan review and inspections to The Inspection Bureau, Inc. (IBI), so your electrical contractor files the permit with IBI.
Check any contractor's license: Ohio license lookup