The 5-step verification
- 1.
Open the Ohio eLicense Center
Go to https://elicense.ohio.gov/OH_VerifyLicense. This is the official state lookup — it's free, no account needed.
Open the page → - 2.
Search by business name (or license #)
Click 'Verify a License,' choose 'Construction Industry,' enter the contractor's business name. If they gave you a license number on their truck or estimate, search by that for an exact match.
- 3.
Confirm 'Active' status
The status field is the most important thing. 'Active' = good. 'Expired,' 'Suspended,' or 'Revoked' = walk away. The state also lists any disciplinary actions on this page.
- 4.
Verify the license type matches the work
Plumber license for plumbing. HVAC license for HVAC. Electrician license for electrical. A 'plumber' license doesn't cover electrical work in your panel.
- 5.
Note the license expiration
Most Ohio trade licenses renew annually. Make sure the expiration is at least a few months out — you don't want their license lapsing mid-project.
Frequently asked
What about local Toledo registration?
On top of the state OCILB license, contractors who pull permits in the City of Toledo also need to be registered with the Toledo Division of Building Inspection. For most jobs, the state license is what matters — local registration is for permit-pulling. Call (419) 245-1220 to confirm registration if your job requires a permit.
Are appliance-repair techs licensed in Ohio?
No state license is required for general appliance repair. However, any tech servicing refrigerants (refrigerators, freezers, AC units) must hold an EPA Section 608 Certification. Ask to see the card. Reputable shops have it.
What if a contractor refuses to give me their license number?
Walk away. A licensed pro is proud of their license — they put it on trucks, business cards, and estimates. Refusal is a giant red flag.
Does ProFix Directory verify these licenses for me?
Every pro in our directory has had their license number checked at time of listing. We re-verify quarterly. The 'Verified' date on each profile is when we last confirmed. We still recommend you verify yourself before any major job — licenses can lapse between our checks.
Or skip straight to a verified pro
Every pro in our directory has been checked. Browse by trade and call directly.
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