How to Become a Certified General Contractor in Ohio

General contractors typically hire subcontractors.

A general contractor needs to be licensed in each county--and sometimes each city--in the state in which work is to be performed. General contractors typically engage in residential and commercial building construction by hiring subcontractors to complete the work that is needed. Currently you do not need to have a state license to register as a general contractor in any county or city in the state of Ohio.

Instructions

1. Compete the application for the county in which you need to register as a general contractor. Provide your social security number if you are applying as an individual or a federal tax ID number if you are registering as a business.

2. Obtain liability insurance from an insurance company or licensed insurance agent that is located within the state. The amount of liability insurance to purchase can vary from county to county, but can range from $300,00 to $500,000.

3. Obtain a surety bond from a licensed insurance agent or insurance company. The amount of the surety bond will vary from county to county, but is typically $10,000 to $15,000.

4. Provide a copy of your current workers compensation insurance certificate if you have more than one employee.

5. Take the application to a notary to have it notarized before sending it in to the county or city.

6. Pay the registration fee to the county or city when submitting the completed application. Application fees can range from $75 up to $350.

7. Submit the application to the city or county and wait to receive your registration confirmation.

Tips & Warnings

• Processing time for applications can take as little as 10 days.

• Registration fees can be paid in cash of by check.

• General contractor registration is valid for 12 months.

References

• Fairfield County Ohio: Contractor Registration
• Google Docs: General Contractor Registratrion Application