A city wants to make contractors in the five trades register and pay a fee. What must its ordinance also require?ORC 4740.12(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A licensed contractor may install control wiring for equipment related to its own license if the wiring is under what voltage?ORC 4740.13(C), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Chapter 4740 defines a "construction project". Which building is left out of that definition?ORC 4740.01(F), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How many members sit on the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board?ORC 4740.02(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
May a licensed contractor lease employees from a professional employer organization?ORC 4740.131, Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Which contractors does the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board license?ORC 4740.01(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Which section of the board has primary responsibility for licensing hydronics contractors?ORC 4740.02(B), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Who appoints the members of the board?ORC 4740.02(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Who is a "tradesperson" under Chapter 4740?ORC 4740.01(E), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Within which state department is the board created?ORC 4740.02(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Work limited to fire alarm, cabling or landscape lighting systems is not electrical contracting that needs a license when the systems use less than:ORC 4740.13(D), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Show all 76 questions (65 more)
Qualifying, the examination and license assignment 15
A contracting company violates a term of the license assigned to it. Who is deemed to have committed the violation?ORC 4740.07(E), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A contractor leaves the company that holds the assigned license and completes a change of company form. Absent an earlier agreed date, when does the assignment become invalid?ORC 4740.07(D)(1)(b), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A currently registered engineer in Ohio may qualify with how many years of business experience in the construction industry in the trade?ORC 4740.06(B)(3), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A licensee applies for a license in a second trade. For how long does the earlier business and law pass count?OAC 4101:16-2-03(D), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A new license is not assigned to a contracting company. What happens to it?ORC 4740.07(B), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
An applicant fails the examination. How soon may the applicant retake it?ORC 4740.06(G)(1), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
An applicant has taken the examination five times without passing. What must the applicant do before another attempt?ORC 4740.06(G)(2), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Before any assignment to a company, in whose name does the board issue and renew a license?ORC 4740.07(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
By rule, what are the parts of the licensing examination?OAC 4101:16-2-03(B), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How long must an applicant have been a tradesperson in the trade immediately before applying?ORC 4740.06(B)(3), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How often must each type of contractor examination be held?ORC 4740.04(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How old must an individual be to qualify to take the licensing examination?ORC 4740.06(B)(1), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
To how many contracting companies may one license be assigned at a time?ORC 4740.07(H), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
What is the board's fee for an application for examination?OAC 4101:16-2-09(A)(1), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
What score passes the examination?OAC 4101:16-2-03(D), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Renewal, continuing education and insurance 16
A contractor holds licenses in three trades. When do they expire?ORC 4740.06(H), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A license has been assigned to a business entity. In whose name must the contractor liability insurance be?OAC 4101:16-2-09(D), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A license is suspended because the renewal requirements were not met. Within what time may it be reactivated on application?OAC 4101:16-2-07(A), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A licensee completes fourteen hours of continuing education in one renewal period. What happens to the extra four hours?OAC 4101:16-2-08(C), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A licensee holds only an electrical license. How many of the ten yearly hours must be electrical code?OAC 4101:16-2-08(A)(2), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A member of the compliant contractor program renews every year. How many hours of continuing education must the member show?OAC 4101:16-1-08(C), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How early may a renewal application be submitted?ORC 4740.06(H), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How long may a license remain in inactive status?OAC 4101:16-2-12(A), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How many hours of continuing education a year does a contractor who holds two licenses need?ORC 4740.05(F), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How many minutes of instruction make a classroom hour of continuing education?OAC 4101:16-2-08(B), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How much contractor's liability insurance must a licensee with an active license maintain?OAC 4101:16-2-09(D), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How must the license number appear on a vehicle that displays the business name?OAC 4101:16-2-05(D), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
In what form does the rule say the license number is displayed?OAC 4101:16-2-05(C), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
What is the fee for the annual renewal of one license?OAC 4101:16-2-09(A)(3), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
What is the most the board may charge as a late fee for a license not renewed on time?OAC 4101:16-2-09(A)(4), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Where must the issued license itself be displayed?OAC 4101:16-2-05(A), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Violations and penalties 9
A check for a license fee is returned unpaid. After the board mails notice, how long does the licensee have to pay the fee and a penalty before the license is canceled?ORC 4740.15, Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A specialty section finds that another person took the examination for an applicant. What must it do?ORC 4740.10(D)(1), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How long does a conditional license last before the holder is considered fully licensed?ORC 4740.06(L)(4), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How long does a person have to request a hearing after a specialty section gives notice of intended discipline?ORC 4740.10(E), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
On a specialty section's request, who may sue for an injunction against a person acting as a licensed contractor without a license?ORC 4740.13(B), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
What crime is a first violation of acting as or claiming to be a licensed contractor without a license?ORC 4740.99, Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
What is the most a specialty section may fine a person found to be acting as a licensed contractor without a license?ORC 4740.16(B), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Which of these is a listed ground for discipline of a licensee?ORC 4740.10(B)(1)(j), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Which of these may a specialty section impose on a license holder as discipline?ORC 4740.10(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Mechanics' liens 10
A notice of commencement has been recorded. Within what time must a subcontractor serve a notice of furnishing to keep its lien rights?ORC 1311.05(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
After filing the lien affidavit, how long does the claimant have to serve a copy on the owner?ORC 1311.07, Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
An owner serves a lienholder with a notice to commence suit. How long does the lienholder have to sue before the lien is void?ORC 1311.11(B), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
For how long does a mechanics' lien continue in force after the affidavit is filed, if no action is brought?ORC 1311.13(C), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
On a commercial building, within how many days of the last work or materials must the lien affidavit be filed?ORC 1311.06(B)(3), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
On a one- or two-family dwelling, within how many days of the last work or materials must the lien affidavit be filed?ORC 1311.06(B)(1), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
On a public improvement, how long after its last work may a subcontractor serve the public authority with an affidavit of the amount due?ORC 1311.26, Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Where is an affidavit for a mechanics' lien filed?ORC 1311.06(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Who records the notice of commencement for a private improvement?ORC 1311.04(A)(1), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Work began before any notice of commencement was recorded. From what date are the liens for that work effective?ORC 1311.13(A)(1), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Payment, contract terms and bids 8
A bidder on a state public improvement files a certified check as its bid guaranty. What must the amount be?ORC 153.54(A)(2), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A contractor is paid by the owner for a subcontractor's work. How soon must the contractor pay the subcontractor?ORC 4113.61(A)(1), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
A subcontract makes the subcontractor indemnify the general contractor for injuries caused by the general contractor's own negligence. What is that promise under ORC 2305.31?ORC 2305.31, Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
From what day does interest run on a payment a contractor makes late to its subcontractor?ORC 4113.61(A)(1), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
No claim for a defective and unsafe condition of an improvement to real property accrues against its builder later than how long after substantial completion?ORC 2305.131(A)(1), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
What interest does a contractor owe a subcontractor on a payment made later than the prompt payment law allows?ORC 4113.61(A)(1), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Which clause in a contract for an improvement to Ohio real estate is void as against public policy?ORC 4113.62(D)(2), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Within what time must an action on a written contract be brought?ORC 2305.06, Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Wages, workers' compensation and tax 7
A private employer does not pay the workers' compensation premiums that ORC 4123.35 requires. What is its position?ORC 4123.77, Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
At what rate must an Ohio employer pay overtime for hours worked over forty in one workweek?ORC 4111.03(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
By what day must an employer pay the wages its employees earned in the first half of the preceding month?ORC 4113.15(A), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
For sales tax, who is the consumer of materials a construction contractor buys to incorporate into real property?OAC 5703-9-14(D)(1), Ohio Administrative Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Ohio's prevailing wage law covers new construction of a public improvement, other than road and bridge work, when the total cost is fairly estimated at more than:ORC 4115.03(B)(1)(c), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
The prevailing wage law covers reconstruction, alteration, repair or painting of a public improvement, other than road and bridge work, when the total cost is fairly estimated at more than:ORC 4115.03(B)(2)(c), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
Undisputed wages stay unpaid thirty days past the regular payday. What liquidated damages does the employer owe?ORC 4113.15(B), Ohio Revised Code (codes.ohio.gov)
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written from the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Administrative Code as the Legislative Service Commission publishes them at codes.ohio.gov: Chapter 4740 (the Construction Industry Licensing Board; https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-4740), the board's rules in Chapters 4101:16-1 and 4101:16-2, Chapter 1311 (mechanics' liens), sections 4113.61, 4113.62, 4113.15, 4111.03, 4123.77, 4115.03, 153.54, 2305.06, 2305.131 and 2305.31, and rule 5703-9-14. Each section was read on 2026-10-15. The examination outline is the candidate information bulletin for the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board contractor trade examinations, published by PSI Services and updated 2/7/2024 (https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/1734), read 2026-10-15. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site. The statutes and rules are public law of the State of Ohio. No question is taken from the state examination or from any study guide.
How it works
This unofficial Ohio business and law practice test asks 76 free questions on state law: licensing, liens, prompt payment and wages. Estimating and accounting are not asked. Not affiliated with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Read the full guide
Who takes the exam
Applicants for the five state contractor licenses: electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing and refrigeration. The board's rule gives the examination two parts, one for the trade and one of business and law, and each part needs seventy per cent.
What this page covers
Seven subjects from public law: the board and who needs a license, qualifying and license assignment, renewal and insurance, penalties, mechanics' liens, payment and contract terms, and wages, workers' compensation and tax.
Learn the lien clocks as a set: 21 days for a notice of furnishing, 60 or 75 days for the affidavit, six years of life.
Ten answers three questions: ten hours of continuing education a year, ten calendar days to pay a subcontractor, ten years of repose.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the Ohio Business and Law exam?
Fifty scored questions and five unscored pretest items in two hours, open book, with 70 percent to pass, by the PSI candidate bulletin updated February 7, 2024.
Is this Ohio business and law free practice test the real exam?
No. It is free, unofficial practice written from the Ohio Revised Code and the board's rules. The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board and PSI, its test vendor, did not write or review it, and no examination question appears here.
Is the Ohio Business and Law exam open book?
Yes. The bulletin calls it open book and says its one listed reference is provided in the testing center. That reference is a book on business, law and project management, and this page does not use it.
Do I have to retake business and law for a second Ohio license?
Not within three years. By rule 4101:16-2-03 a passed business and law part counts for three years from the date the license is issued when you apply in another trade.
How soon can I retake the Ohio contractor exam?
Sixty days after a failed attempt, under ORC 4740.06. The bulletin allows up to five attempts in a year, and after five failures the law requires a new application.