Licensed jobs in Ohio
Ohio: 10 occupations, 8 licensing agencies, and no state license for general contractors. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Ohio
Ohio licenses 9 of the 10 occupations below at the state level; general contractors is licensed only by cities or counties, if at all. Security guards have the most levels here (4 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist (practicing license) 3 credentials in all | Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board | – | $451 | Every 2 years2 |
| Notary public | Notary Public | Secretary of State | – | – | – |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse (RN) — single state license 2 credentials in all | Ohio Board of Nursing | – | $756 | Every 2 years7 |
| Insurance agent | Resident insurance agent license 3 credentials in all | ODI | Training 20 clock hours10 | $1011 | Every 2 years12 |
| Plumber | Plumbing contractor (Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board state license) | OCILB | Experience 5 years14 | $2515 | Every year14 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) listed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry 2 credentials in all | ODH | Training 75 clock hours17 | – | Every 24 months18 |
| Electrician | Electrical contractor (Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board state license) | OCILB | Experience 5 years14 | $2520 | Every year14 |
| Security guard | Security guard employee registration (registration identification card) 4 credentials in all | PISGS | – | $4021 | Every year22 |
| Massage therapist | Massage Therapist (MT) | State Medical Board of Ohio | Training 600 clock hours24 | $15025 | Every 2 years26 |
| General contractor | No state license28 | – | – | – | – |
Licensing boards
8 agencies issue the Ohio licenses we cover:
- Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS): security guards
- Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board: cosmetologists
- Ohio Board of Nursing: registered nurses and nursing assistants
- Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI): insurance agents
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB): plumbers and electricians
- Secretary of State: notaries
- Ohio Department of Health (ODH): nursing assistants
- State Medical Board of Ohio: massage therapists
Moving to Ohio with a license
For plumbers and electricians, the Ohio board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for security guards publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses34 |
| Notary public | Universal license recognition5 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement, Universal license recognition, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses689 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver and Reciprocity agreements1213 |
| Plumber | Reciprocity agreements and Universal license recognition1614 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement19 |
| Electrician | Reciprocity agreements and Universal license recognition1614 |
| Security guard | No reciprocity route23 |
| Massage therapist | Universal license recognition27 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Ohio license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Ohio Rev. Code 4713.10Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Revised Code)Dated October 24, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Ohio Rev. Code 4713.01Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Revised Code)Dated April 9, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Ohio Rev. Code 4713.28Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Revised Code)Dated October 24, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Military Members & SpousesOhio State Cosmetology and Barber BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Ohio Revised Code 147.01 Appointment and commission of notaries publicOhio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated April 3, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- RN - Registered NursesOhio Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Renewal ScheduleOhio Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- ORC 4723.09 Licensure by examination or endorsementOhio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated December 29, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Military & VeteransOhio Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Pre-Licensing EducationOhio Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- Ohio License Fees - Application Fee ChartOhio Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3905 Insurance AgentsOhio Legislative Service CommissionChecked November 8, 2026
- Non-Resident AgentOhio Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- Ohio Revised Code section 4740.06Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated December 29, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- OCILB Reciprocity Application - ArkansasOhio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance (OCILB)Checked November 7, 2026
- OCILB Contractors & Contracting CompaniesOhio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance, Ohio Construction Industry Licensing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Aide Training (How do I become a CNA in Ohio)Ohio Department of HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- Ohio Nurse Aides Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, May 2025)Ohio Department of HealthDated May 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Aide Registry RequirementsOhio Department of HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- Texas Electrical Reciprocity ApplicationOhio Construction Industry Licensing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- OAC Chapter 4501:7-1 Licenses (private investigator / security guard)Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated April 1, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
- ORC 4749.06 Registration of employeesOhio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated September 28, 2012Checked November 7, 2026
- Step-by-Step InstructionsOhio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Homeland Security - Private Investigator Security Guard ServicesDated September 12, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- Massage Therapist (MT) - Apply tabState Medical Board of OhioChecked November 8, 2026
- Ohio Revised Code 4731.19Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Laws)Dated December 29, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Ohio Revised Code 4731.15Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Laws)Dated April 12, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
- ReciprocityState Medical Board of OhioChecked November 8, 2026
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing BoardOhio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial ComplianceChecked November 7, 2026