If you’re planning to start or grow a contracting business in Oklahoma it’s fundamental that you have a solid understanding of the licensing requirements, as they can be a little complex depending on the type of projects you plan to do.
In our Oklahoma contractor license guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know on this subject — from which specific licenses you’ll need and how to obtain them to any other bureaucratic requirements you must abide by.
Tip: If you’re planning to work as a general contractor in Oklahoma, we recommend forming an LLC. This is an affordable business structure that protects your personal assets against debt and/or lawsuits.
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
Do You Need a Contractor License
In Oklahoma, general contractors aren’t required to obtain a specific, state-issued license — which means you can conduct unlicensed contractor work as long as you’ll be overseeing or coordinating projects and not performing any specialized trades yourself.
That said, if your work includes specialized trades like plumbing, electrical, or mechanical services, you’ll need to obtain a specific trade license for the relevant specialty from the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB).
Note: Keep in mind that many local jurisdictions have their own rules and may require contractors to register or obtain permits, so always be sure to check with your city or county before starting any project.
Electricians, Plumbers, and Other Tradesmen
On the other hand, if the work you’ll be engaging in will involve a specialized trade you’ll be required to obtain the corresponding state-level license before you can begin offering your services.
In particular, contractors working in any of the following trades must first obtain a license from the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB):
- Building Inspectors
- Electrical Contractors
- Home Inspectors
- Mechanical Contractors
- Plumbing Contractors
- Roofing Contractors
It’s worth noting that it doesn’t matter whether or not you refer to or advertise yourself as one of these specialists — if you offer any of the services that would be considered within the scope of one of these disciplines, you must have the appropriate license.
Remember these licenses are not just recommendations — it is illegal to work in any of these professions without the appropriate license, and violations carry heavy penalties.
For example, performing unlicensed electrical contracting is considered a misdemeanor that’s punishable by a fine ranging from $200 to $1,000, according to 59 OK Stat § 1695.
Handymen, Home Improvement Specialists, and Builders
For roles that don’t involve regulated trades — such as handymen, home improvement specialists, and general builders — no state-level license is required in Oklahoma.
These types of contractors can operate without a state-issued license as long as they do not perform work in the regulated trades listed in the previous section.
Note: While not required at a state level, your business may still need to obtain a general contractor license at a local level because each municipality has its own rules and regulations in this area.
Recommended Service
More than 72% of our readers form their LLC using a professional filing service. Our recommended service provider is:
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
How to Get a Contractor License in Oklahoma
Becoming a general contractor in Oklahoma is relatively straightforward since the state doesn’t mandate a license. This means there are no specific age, experience, or education qualifications that you must meet at a state level to be able to offer these services.
However, if you intend to perform any work in a specialist trade (i.e., as a plumber or electrician), there are certain steps your business will need to follow in order to get licensed in Oklahoma. While the specifics of these steps vary between each trade, you will generally need to do the following:
Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure
Before starting the application process for a contractor license, you’ll first need to decide on the structure of your business. Since this decision will impact your liability, tax obligations, and how you run your business, it’s vital you’re informed about the details of each structure so that you can effectively determine which one is best suited to your needs.
Many contracting businesses in Oklahoma, particularly smaller ones, decide to structure themselves as a limited liability company (LLC) because it grants them tax flexibility, limited liability protection, and credibility in the eyes of their clients.
Step 2: Meet the Basic Requirements
After forming your business, you’ll need to confirm that you meet the minimum basic requirements. While the specifics of these requirements will vary depending on the license you are trying to obtain, you’ll generally need to:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a US citizen or legally reside in the country
- Have no convictions of a disqualifying offense
- Demonstrate a certain number of hours of on-the-job training and experience. For example, applicants for an Unlimited Electrical Contractor license must first obtain 12,000 hours of verifiable on-the-job electrical construction work
Note: For some more senior licenses (e.g., Electrical Contractor), your basic requirements will also obligate you to have held a specific junior license for a minimum amount of time before you’ll be considered eligible.
Step 3: Submit an Application
Once you’ve confirmed that you meet the basic requirements of the license your business needs, the next step is to complete and submit the appropriate application form to the relevant regulatory body along with any associated fees.
Here’s what’s involved for some of the most common specialist trades in Oklahoma:
- Building Inspectors: Must submit an Initial Application for Inspectors ($35 fee)
- Electrical Contractors: Required to file an Electrical License Application ($75 – $330 fee)
- Home Inspectors: Need to submit a Home Inspector License Application ($280 fee)
- Mechanical Contractors: Must file an Application for Mechanical Examination ($75 – $330 fee)
- Plumbing Contractors: Required to submit an Application for Plumbing Examination ($75 – $330 fee)
- Roofing Contractors: Initial Application for Roofing Contractor ($75 – $230 fee)
In order to apply for the license you need, you’ll need to submit the completed, signed, and notarized form from the list above that corresponds to your specialty to the following address:
Construction Industries Board
2401 NW 23rd, Suite 2F
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Note: If your desired license is not listed as one of the six trades that are regulated by the CIB, you can skip directly to Step 5.
Step 4: Pass a Licensing Exam
While not a universal requirement, many contractor licenses in Oklahoma require applicants to pass a licensing exam in order to qualify.
For example, applicants for any of the six regulated trades in Oklahoma are required to pass a licensing exam administered by PSI to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in their respective fields.
Regardless of the specific trade that you’ll be sitting the exam for, you’ll need to pay a $92 fee to take it, as well as obtain a minimum score of at least 75% in order to qualify for licensure.
Many candidates struggle with these exams as they will often test both their knowledge of the trade and their understanding of Oklahoma’s specific regulations and laws. To avoid this, many applicants take advantage of online study guides and preparatory courses in order to get ready for these exams.
Step 5: Satisfy Insurance Requirements
In order to protect both your business and the client in case of accidents and damages, most contractors in Oklahoma will need to provide proof of insurance coverage in order to get licensed.
For example, Mechanical Contractors need to secure a $5,000 corporate surety bond and provide a certificate showing at least $50,000 in commercial general liability insurance in order for their license to become active.
Keep in mind that both the bond and insurance must be in the license holder’s name, and the Construction Industries Board should be listed as the certificate holder.
Besides meeting the state requirements, you should also check the insurance regulations for each municipality where you plan to work, as local authorities may have additional standards you’ll need to comply with.
Step 6: Keep Your Contractor License Valid
Once you obtain your license, it’s essential to keep it active. This often involves renewing it every few years, paying associated renewal fees, and meeting continuing education requirements.
The exact continuing education requirements that you’ll need to meet will depend on the type of license you have. For example, electrical contractors must complete six hours of CE every three years, while home inspectors are required to complete eight hours annually.
Congratulations! You’ve now successfully obtained the professional license needed to work as a contractor in Oklahoma. However, your licensing journey doesn’t end here, as there are additional licensing requirements your business will need to satisfy in order to operate legally.
Other Licenses You May Need
Below, we’ve explored the various additional licenses and permits that your Oklahoma contractor business may need in more detail.
State Business Licenses
While general contractor licenses aren’t required at a state level in Oklahoma, there are certain state business licenses you may need to obtain before you can get up and running.
Because the building materials and services a general contractor provides to their clients as part of a construction project are generally taxable, for example, you’ll likely need a sales tax permit.
Additionally, your general contractor business may require an environmental permit from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) if it takes on certain types of projects with the potential to impact the environment.
To better understand your general contractor business’s licensing requirements, you can either visit the Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Business Licensing page or refer to our Oklahoma Business License Guide for detailed step-by-step instructions.
Note: There are a range of different fees associated with registering your business in Oklahoma. To get an idea of how much it would cost to get your contracting business off the ground, you can find these fees on the Secretary of State’s Business Filings & Trademarks Fee Schedule page.
City and Municipal Licenses
Many local municipalities often impose their own additional requirements that you may be required to satisfy for your business to operate legally in that area.
For example, in the City of Tulsa, all contractors are required to register with the city by submitting a completed Trade Contractor Application and paying a $100 registration fee.
Similarly, contractors based in the City of El Reno are required to fill out and submit a Contractor License Application to the Community Development Department alongside a $150 fee.
Note: You can use the Oklahoma Municipal League’s City Officials Directory to find your city’s government website and read more about its specific licensing requirements.
Oklahoma Contractor License FAQ
How do I get a contractor’s license in Oklahoma?
To get a contractor’s license in Oklahoma, you’ll first need to determine the type of work you want to do and check if it requires a state-level trade license.
If it does, you’ll need to meet the specific requirements for that trade, submit an application through the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB), pass any necessary exams, and provide proof of insurance.
Do contractors in Oklahoma need a license?
General contractors in Oklahoma do not need a state-issued license unless they perform specialized trade work regulated by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, such as plumbing, electrical, or mechanical services.
Be sure to check out our How to Get a General Contractor License article if you’re interested in finding out more.
What do you need to start a construction company in Oklahoma?
To start a construction company in Oklahoma, you will need to choose your business structure, register your business with the Secretary of State, and obtain all necessary licenses and permits.
If your work involves specialized trades, you may also need to get a specific trade license from the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB).
Does a handyman need a license in Oklahoma?
No, handymen in Oklahoma do not need a state-issued license as long as they don’t perform regulated trades like plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work.
Having said that, some cities or counties may require handymen to register or obtain permits locally, so it’s important to check your city’s regulations.
For more information on this topic, you should check out our Oklahoma Contractor License article.