HVAC Installation — Oklahoma license requirements
01 The project
The starting point is the work itself — HVAC Installation in Oklahoma. The job determines which trades are involved, and the trades determine which license classifications may be required.
No project components are seeded for this project — we do not invent component lists without evidence.
02 Jurisdiction
This project is evaluated for Oklahoma — the trade-license, no-general- contractor state. The Construction Industries Board (CIB) licenses or registers exactly four industries (electrical, mechanical, plumbing and roofing) and states that general contractors need no state license while trade licences ARE required to perform or offer licensed trade work. A trade contractor licence stays inactive until the CIB receives a $5,000 corporate surety bond and $50,000 commercial general liability insurance; every licence expires on the last day of the licensee's birth month. Oklahoma jurisdiction page.
Permit fees, local construction rules and any municipal contractor registration were not researched and remain LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED. The mechanical commercial boundary is a documented conflict (CONFLICT-OK-001) and the roofing registration threshold is contradicted by an unverified third-party claim (CONFLICT-OK-002); both rules return NOT_DETERMINED rather than guessing. State requirements are not the complete story for any locality.
03 Trade → license
Relations below are recorded per state — only this jurisdiction's classifications are shown.
Trades involved: no seeded components — trade resolution follows from the classification relations below.
- May require MECHANICAL-CONTRACTOR — Mechanical Contractor (HVAC/R, refrigeration, gas/process piping, sheet metal, ground source) confirmed S-OK-CIB-MECH-CONTRACTOR rule OK-MECHANICAL-CATEGORIESAn HVAC/R installation requires a mechanical contractor licence in the matching category — HVAC/R UNLIMITED for any capacity, or HVAC/R LIMITED where cooling is at most 25 tons and heating at most 500,000 Btu/h per appliance (OAC 158:50). Rule OK-MECHANICAL-CATEGORIES. The commercial/residential boundary is CONFLICT-OK-001 (rule OK-MECHANICAL-COMMERCIAL).
- Alternative path MECHANICAL-CONTRACTOR — Mechanical Contractor (HVAC/R, refrigeration, gas/process piping, sheet metal, ground source) reported S-OK-CIB-MECHANICAL rule OK-MECHANICAL-COMMERCIALThe CIB FAQ states commercial installation of more than 500,000 Btu/h per appliance requires an UNLIMITED mechanical licence, and that a mechanical HVAC or plumbing licence is residential-only; the category page states no such restriction. Rule OK-MECHANICAL-COMMERCIAL returns NOT_DETERMINED (CONFLICT-OK-001).
- Component basis ELEC-CONTRACTOR-UNLIMITED — Unlimited Electrical Contractor (no scope limit) confirmed S-OK-CIB-ELEC-CONTRACTOR rule OK-TRADE-LICENSEThe electrical portion (line-voltage power, controls, disconnect) is a separate licensed trade — an electrical contractor licence (rule OK-TRADE-LICENSE). A mechanical licence does not authorize electrical work.
- Component basis PLUMBING-CONTRACTOR — Plumbing Contractor confirmed S-OK-CIB-PLB-CONTRACTOR rule OK-TRADE-LICENSECONDITIONAL — where the work includes plumbing (condensate, hydronic water piping beyond the mechanical category), the plumbing contractor licence applies (rule OK-TRADE-LICENSE).
04 Scope
What the official sources say about the work involved — typed assertions, never a boolean "covers". Interpretations are marked as such.
- Officially included ELEC-CONTRACTOR-UNLIMITED Electrical Contracting Without Scope Limitation (may_perform) OAC 158:40; CIB Electrical Contractor page S-OK-CIB-ELEC-CONTRACTOR The only electrical category with no scope limit.
- Officially included MECHANICAL-CONTRACTOR Hvacr Unlimited Refrigeration Gas Process Piping Sheet Metal (may_perform) OAC 158:50; CIB Mechanical Contractor page S-OK-CIB-MECH-CONTRACTOR The unlimited mechanical scope. The other six categories are listed in the classification row.
- Officially excluded MECHANICAL-CONTRACTOR Cooling Over 25 Tons Or Heating Over 500000 Btu Per Appliance (may_not_perform) OAC 158:50; CIB Mechanical Contractor page S-OK-CIB-MECH-CONTRACTOR The HVAC/R LIMITED ceilings. Whether these are residential-only is disputed (CONFLICT-OK-001) and the rule OK-MECHANICAL-COMMERCIAL returns NOT_DETERMINED.
- Requires another classification MECHANICAL-CONTRACTOR Committee Approved Ground Source Installation Certification No Exam (requires) OAC 158:50; CIB Mechanical Contractor page S-OK-CIB-MECH-CONTRACTOR The one mechanical category with NO examination — the exception to rule OK-EXAM.
- Officially included PLUMBING-CONTRACTOR Plumbing Contracting Under A Cib Plumbing Contractor Licence (may_perform) OAC 158:30; CIB Plumbing Contractor page; 59 O.S. §1012 S-OK-CIB-PLB-CONTRACTOR
- Officially excluded MECHANICAL-CONTRACTOR Air Duct Cleaning Is Outside Mechanical Licensure (may_not_perform) OAC 158:50; CIB Mechanical industry page S-OK-CIB-MECHANICAL A verified ABSENCE of licensure, not a gap; duct installation (sheet metal) remains licensed.
05 Requirements
| Requirement | Kind | Statement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical contractor categories (HVAC/R Unlimited & Limited, refrigeration, gas/process piping, sheet metal, ground source) CIB Mechanical Contractor page verbatim (read 2026-10-05) | license | CIB verbatim: 'All mechanical contractors must be a permanent employee, owner, partner or officer in the mechanical firm.' Contractor applicants 'must meet the same requirements as a journeyman with an additional one (1) year of experience in the mechanical trade.' Categories: HVAC/R UNLIMITED covers any cooling product/system/equipment with process piping, heating equipment with process piping, sheet metal, natural gas piping and refrigeration; HVAC/R LIMITED is capped at 'a cooling capacity of no more than twenty-five (25) tons' and 'a heat input of no more than 500,000 Btu/h per appliance'; REFRIGERATION; NATURAL GAS PIPING (point of delivery to appliance connections); PROCESS PIPING; SHEET METAL (ferrous and nonferrous duct and exhaust systems); and GROUND SOURCE PIPING (certification by a Committee-approved organization, 'No exam required'). | S-OK-CIB-MECH-CONTRACTORSource S-OK-CIB-MECH-CONTRACTOR — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)CIB — Mechanical Contractor (categories and scope) — CIB Mechanical Contractor page verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://oklahoma.gov/cib/your-industry/mechanical/mechanical-contractor.html Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (HTTP 200, official). 'All mechanical contractors must be a permanent employee, owner, partner or officer in the mechanical firm.' Contractor applicants 'must meet the same requirements as a journeyman with an additional one (1) year of experience in the mechanical trade.' Categories verbatim: HVAC/R UNLIMITED ('any cooling product, system, or equipment, including the process piping, and/or … heating equipment … and/or … sheet metal, natural gas piping and refrigeration'); HVAC/R LIMITED ('any cooling product … that has a cooling capacity of no more than twenty-five (25) tons; and/or all heating equipment including the process piping that have a heat input of no more than 500,000 Btu/h per appliance'); REFRIGERATION; NATURAL GAS PIPING; PROCESS PIPING; SHEET METAL ('all ferrous and nonferrous duct and exhaust systems'); and GROUND SOURCE PIPING (certification by an approved organization required, 'No exam required'). Backs the mechanical classifications and REQ-OK-MECHANICAL-CATEGORIES-001. |
| Commercial mechanical installation and the 500,000 Btu/h Unlimited threshold CIB Mechanical industry FAQ verbatim + Mechanical Contractor category scopes (read 2026-10-05) | license | CIB FAQ verbatim: 'A Mechanical HVAC or a Plumbing license is allowed to install in residential homes only. Installation in a commercial building requires a Mechanical HVAC license, and if more than 500,000 Btu/h per appliance then the Mechanical HVAC license must be an Unlimited license.' The mechanical contractor page, however, defines HVAC/R LIMITED to include heating equipment 'that have a heat input of no more than 500,000 Btu/h per appliance' with no residential/commercial restriction. Both texts are published; the exact commercial boundary is NOT_DETERMINED (CONFLICT-OK-001). | S-OK-CIB-MECHANICALSource S-OK-CIB-MECHANICAL — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)CIB — Mechanical industry (CE, air duct cleaning, the commercial/residential FAQ) — CIB Mechanical industry FAQ verbatim + Mechanical Contractor category scopes (read 2026-10-05) https://oklahoma.gov/cib/your-industry/mechanical.html Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (HTTP 200, official). Verbatim: 'All Journeymen and Contractors are required to have received six (6) hours of continuing education within the preceding thirty-six (36) months of their license expiration.' 'Currently, the performance of air duct cleaning does not require a state license in Oklahoma. For statutes and rules on Mechanical licensure, please see 59 O.S. §1850.1, et seq. and OAC 158:50.' FAQ verbatim: 'A Mechanical HVAC or a Plumbing license is allowed to install in residential homes only. Installation in a commercial building requires a Mechanical HVAC license, and if more than 500,000 Btu/h per appliance then the Mechanical HVAC license must be an Unlimited license.' Also publishes the Fueled Hearth Product Work specialty (a reduced-requirement alternative to a full HVAC license). The residential-only FAQ sentence is the source of CONFLICT-OK-001. Backs REQ-OK-CE-MECH-PLB-001, REQ-OK-AIR-DUCT-001 and REQ-OK-COMMERCIAL-BTU-001. |
| A licence/registration is required to perform or offer licensed trade work CIB home page + 59 O.S. §1690/§1012 + OAC 158:85-2-1 (read 2026-10-05) | license | CIB verbatim: 'trade licenses/registrations are required for performing, or offering to perform, licensed/registered trade work.' The licensed trades are electrical, mechanical and plumbing (each with a contractor licence, journeyman certificate and registered apprentice), and roofing (a registration with an optional commercial endorsement). 59 O.S. §1690 makes it a misdemeanor to act as or offer to engage in electrical contracting without a licence; 59 O.S. §1012 does the same for journeyman plumbing work; OAC 158:85-2-1(a)(1) requires a roofing registration before advertising or performing roofing contractor work. | S-OK-CIB-HOMESource S-OK-CIB-HOME — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)Construction Industries Board — home (mission, General Contractors statement, lookups) — CIB home page + 59 O.S. §1690/§1012 + OAC 158:85-2-1 (read 2026-10-05) Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (HTTP 200, official). Verbatim: 'Oklahoma General Contractors Statement — General Contractors are not currently required to have a state license in Oklahoma for general contracting. However, trade licenses/registrations are required for performing, or offering to perform, licensed/registered trade work. Further, local jurisdictions should be contacted for any local requirements.' Also publishes the online renewal portal, the licensee-search tool (building & home inspectors, electrical, mechanical, plumbing) and the separate registered-roofing-contractor search. Backs REQ-OK-NO-STATEWIDE-GC-001 and rule OK-NO-STATEWIDE-GC. |
| Examination required for contractor and journeyman licences (PSI) and the commercial roofing endorsement OAC 158:40-9-3(a)/158:30-9-2(a)/158:50-9-2(a) + CIB exam pages (read 2026-10-05) | exam | Every CIB contractor and journeyman licence is issued by examination: the OAC fee sections state the CIB 'or its designated representative, may collect for the actual cost of any examination provided by this Chapter', with the cost 'posted in plain view at the testing site' and the unit testing fee capped by '59 O.S. § 1000.5(A)(2)'. The CIB pages direct applicants to third-party testing (PSI) for the contractor, journeyman and commercial roofing endorsement exams. The GROUND SOURCE PIPING mechanical category is the one published exception: 'No exam required'. | S-OK-OAC-158-40-9-3Source S-OK-OAC-158-40-9-3 — Oklahoma Secretary of State — Office of Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Administrative Code)OAC 158:40-9-3 — Electrical: license and registration fees and renewals (LII mirror) — OAC 158:40-9-3(a)/158:30-9-2(a)/158:50-9-2(a) + CIB exam pages (read 2026-10-05) https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/oklahoma/OAC-158-40-9-3 Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (LII mirror of the OAC). Verbatim fee schedule: 'contractors application - $30.00; initial contractor license - $300.00; renewal contractor license - $200.00; renewal contractor license with late fee - $300.00; journeyman application - $25.00; initial journeyman license - $50.00; renewal journeyman license - $75.00; renewal journeyman license with late fee - $100.00; apprentice application - $5.00; apprentice registration - $20.00; initial alarm endorsement - $75.00; renewal alarm endorsement - $25.00.' Duration: 'All licenses and alarm endorsements shall have a duration of no longer than one year, and shall expire on the last day of the birth month of the licensee each year.' Late/reinstatement: 'Thirty (30) days after the expiration of a license for contractors and journeyman a late license renewal fee is effective … Upon meeting the continuing education requirements … a license may be renewed up to a year from the original renewal date. Any license which remains expired for longer than one (1) year shall not be renewed. The former license holder shall be required to make an initial application and retest.' Outstanding fines block issuance/renewal. Exam fee: the CIB 'may collect for the actual cost of any examination', capped by '59 O.S. § 1000.5(A)(2)'. Backs REQ-OK-FEES-001, REQ-OK-RENEWAL-001 and the electrical fee rows. |
| Apprentice registration, active-contractor signature and the 3:1 apprentice-to-contractor ratio CIB Active Contractor Requirements + Plumbing industry FAQ (read 2026-10-05) | registration | CIB verbatim: 'All apprentice applications must have original signatures'; 'All apprentice applications must be signed by an active contractor'; 'Apprentices can only work in the following ratios: Electrical Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1; Mechanical Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1; Plumbing Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1.' The CIB plumbing FAQ: apprentice work experience counts toward licensing only if 'verifiable through apprentice registration, unless lawfully obtained while exempted'; the licensed contractor or approved school must sign the apprentice application every year, and the licensed contractor must keep an account of apprentice hours worked each year. | S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTORSource S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTOR — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)CIB — Active Contractor Requirements (bond, insurance, apprentices, display) — CIB Active Contractor Requirements + Plumbing industry FAQ (read 2026-10-05) https://oklahoma.gov/cib/your-industry/active-contractor-requirements.html Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (HTTP 200, official). Verbatim: 'After you have successfully passed your exams, your license will be inactive until the CIB receives proof of the bond and insurance listed below: 1. An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor is required to carry a five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) Corporate Surety Bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board with original signatures, seals and Power of Attorney attached. The bond must be in the individual license holder's name. The bond must be continuous and provide for thirty- (30) days cancellation notice. 2. An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor must provide a certificate of insurance evidencing a minimum of $50,000.00 commercial general liability insurance in the form of a Certificate of General Liability. The individual license holder's name must be on the certificate of insurance. The certificate holder is the Construction Industries Board.' Apprentices: original signatures, must be signed by an ACTIVE contractor, ratio 'Electrical Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1', 'Mechanical Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1', 'Plumbing Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1'. Display: vehicles must show the firm name and the license number 'bearing the initials OK preceding that number', letters/numerals 'at least two (2) inches high' on both sides, and the number must be displayed on 'all advertising, contracts, and bids'. The page also lists the license-bond form and the electrical/mechanical/plumbing affidavits waiving bond & insurance. Backs REQ-OK-BOND-001, REQ-OK-INSURANCE-TRADE-001, REQ-OK-APPRENTICE-001 and REQ-OK-DISPLAY-001. |
| $5,000 corporate surety bond payable to the CIB to ACTIVATE a trade contractor licence CIB Active Contractor Requirements verbatim (read 2026-10-05) | bond | CIB verbatim: 'After you have successfully passed your exams, your license will be inactive until the CIB receives proof of the bond and insurance listed below: 1. An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor is required to carry a five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) Corporate Surety Bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board with original signatures, seals and Power of Attorney attached. The bond must be in the individual license holder's name. The bond must be continuous and provide for thirty- (30) days cancellation notice.' A waiver is available by affidavit: the CIB publishes an 'Affidavit for Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing (Waiver for Bond & Insurance)'. | S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTORSource S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTOR — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)CIB — Active Contractor Requirements (bond, insurance, apprentices, display) — CIB Active Contractor Requirements verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://oklahoma.gov/cib/your-industry/active-contractor-requirements.html Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (HTTP 200, official). Verbatim: 'After you have successfully passed your exams, your license will be inactive until the CIB receives proof of the bond and insurance listed below: 1. An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor is required to carry a five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) Corporate Surety Bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board with original signatures, seals and Power of Attorney attached. The bond must be in the individual license holder's name. The bond must be continuous and provide for thirty- (30) days cancellation notice. 2. An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor must provide a certificate of insurance evidencing a minimum of $50,000.00 commercial general liability insurance in the form of a Certificate of General Liability. The individual license holder's name must be on the certificate of insurance. The certificate holder is the Construction Industries Board.' Apprentices: original signatures, must be signed by an ACTIVE contractor, ratio 'Electrical Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1', 'Mechanical Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1', 'Plumbing Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1'. Display: vehicles must show the firm name and the license number 'bearing the initials OK preceding that number', letters/numerals 'at least two (2) inches high' on both sides, and the number must be displayed on 'all advertising, contracts, and bids'. The page also lists the license-bond form and the electrical/mechanical/plumbing affidavits waiving bond & insurance. Backs REQ-OK-BOND-001, REQ-OK-INSURANCE-TRADE-001, REQ-OK-APPRENTICE-001 and REQ-OK-DISPLAY-001. |
| $50,000 commercial general liability insurance required to activate a trade contractor licence CIB Active Contractor Requirements verbatim (read 2026-10-05) | insurance | CIB verbatim: 'An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor must provide a certificate of insurance evidencing a minimum of $50,000.00 commercial general liability insurance in the form of a Certificate of General Liability. The individual license holder's name must be on the certificate of insurance. The certificate holder is the Construction Industries Board.' The CIB must be listed as certificate holder and receive notice of coverage and cancellation; 'Failure to keep current insurance will cause your license to become inactive. It is a violation to contract for services without current insurance and an active license.' | S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTORSource S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTOR — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)CIB — Active Contractor Requirements (bond, insurance, apprentices, display) — CIB Active Contractor Requirements verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://oklahoma.gov/cib/your-industry/active-contractor-requirements.html Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (HTTP 200, official). Verbatim: 'After you have successfully passed your exams, your license will be inactive until the CIB receives proof of the bond and insurance listed below: 1. An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor is required to carry a five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) Corporate Surety Bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board with original signatures, seals and Power of Attorney attached. The bond must be in the individual license holder's name. The bond must be continuous and provide for thirty- (30) days cancellation notice. 2. An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor must provide a certificate of insurance evidencing a minimum of $50,000.00 commercial general liability insurance in the form of a Certificate of General Liability. The individual license holder's name must be on the certificate of insurance. The certificate holder is the Construction Industries Board.' Apprentices: original signatures, must be signed by an ACTIVE contractor, ratio 'Electrical Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1', 'Mechanical Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1', 'Plumbing Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1'. Display: vehicles must show the firm name and the license number 'bearing the initials OK preceding that number', letters/numerals 'at least two (2) inches high' on both sides, and the number must be displayed on 'all advertising, contracts, and bids'. The page also lists the license-bond form and the electrical/mechanical/plumbing affidavits waiving bond & insurance. Backs REQ-OK-BOND-001, REQ-OK-INSURANCE-TRADE-001, REQ-OK-APPRENTICE-001 and REQ-OK-DISPLAY-001. |
| Mechanical and plumbing continuing education: 6 hours every 36 months CIB Plumbing + Mechanical industry pages verbatim (read 2026-10-05) | renewal | CIB verbatim (both industries): 'All Journeymen and Contractors are required to have received six (6) hours of continuing education within the preceding thirty-six (36) months of their license expiration.' Plumbing adds: 'The following committee approved courses are offered for licensed plumbers on a month by month basis.' | S-OK-CIB-PLUMBINGSource S-OK-CIB-PLUMBING — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)CIB — Plumbing industry (CE, renewal, bond affidavit) — CIB Plumbing + Mechanical industry pages verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://oklahoma.gov/cib/your-industry/plumbing.html Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (HTTP 200, official). Verbatim: 'All Journeymen and Contractors are required to have received six (6) hours of continuing education within the preceding thirty-six (36) months of their license expiration.' Publishes the Plumbing License Renewal Application, the 'Affidavit for Plumbing (Waiver for Bond & Insurance)', the activation rule ('Bond and Insurance is required to activate your Contractor license'), the active-contractor requirements, the apprentice requirements and proper display of the licence number. 'For complete information on licensing requirements see the Plumbing License Law of 1955 and Plumbing Industry Regulations' (OAC 158:30). Backs REQ-OK-CE-MECH-PLB-001 and the plumbing bond/insurance rows. |
| Annual renewal expiring on the last day of the birth month; late fee at 30 days; one-year reinstatement limit OAC 158:40-9-3(c)-(e) + 158:30-9-3 + 158:50-9-3 + 158:85-2-6 verbatim (read 2026-10-05) | renewal | OAC 158:40-9-3(e) verbatim: 'All licenses and alarm endorsements shall have a duration of no longer than one year, and shall expire on the last day of the birth month of the licensee each year.' The plumbing and mechanical chapters state the same. Late/reinstatement (electrical): 'Thirty (30) days after the expiration of a license for contractors and journeyman a late license renewal fee is effective … a license may be renewed up to a year from the original renewal date. Any license which remains expired for longer than one (1) year shall not be renewed. The former license holder shall be required to make an initial application and retest.' A license also cannot be issued or renewed until all outstanding CIB fines are paid. Roofing: all registrations and endorsements have a duration of no more than one year; renewing 31-60 days late costs a $100 late fee. | S-OK-OAC-158-40-9-3Source S-OK-OAC-158-40-9-3 — Oklahoma Secretary of State — Office of Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Administrative Code)OAC 158:40-9-3 — Electrical: license and registration fees and renewals (LII mirror) — OAC 158:40-9-3(c)-(e) + 158:30-9-3 + 158:50-9-3 + 158:85-2-6 verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/oklahoma/OAC-158-40-9-3 Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (LII mirror of the OAC). Verbatim fee schedule: 'contractors application - $30.00; initial contractor license - $300.00; renewal contractor license - $200.00; renewal contractor license with late fee - $300.00; journeyman application - $25.00; initial journeyman license - $50.00; renewal journeyman license - $75.00; renewal journeyman license with late fee - $100.00; apprentice application - $5.00; apprentice registration - $20.00; initial alarm endorsement - $75.00; renewal alarm endorsement - $25.00.' Duration: 'All licenses and alarm endorsements shall have a duration of no longer than one year, and shall expire on the last day of the birth month of the licensee each year.' Late/reinstatement: 'Thirty (30) days after the expiration of a license for contractors and journeyman a late license renewal fee is effective … Upon meeting the continuing education requirements … a license may be renewed up to a year from the original renewal date. Any license which remains expired for longer than one (1) year shall not be renewed. The former license holder shall be required to make an initial application and retest.' Outstanding fines block issuance/renewal. Exam fee: the CIB 'may collect for the actual cost of any examination', capped by '59 O.S. § 1000.5(A)(2)'. Backs REQ-OK-FEES-001, REQ-OK-RENEWAL-001 and the electrical fee rows. |
| One trade fee schedule across electrical, mechanical and plumbing; a separate roofing schedule OAC 158:40-9-3(b) + 158:30-9-2(b) + 158:50-9-2(b) + 158:85-2-5(a) verbatim (read 2026-10-05) | fee | OAC 158:40-9-3(b), 158:30-9-2(b) and 158:50-9-2(b) publish the SAME schedule: contractors application $30.00, initial contractor licence $300.00, renewal contractor licence $200.00, contractor late fee $100.00 (the electrical chapter states the combined line 'renewal contractor license with late fee - $300.00'), journeyman application $25.00, initial journeyman licence $50.00, renewal journeyman licence $75.00, journeyman late fee $25.00 (electrical: '$100.00' combined), apprentice application $5.00, apprentice registration $20.00; electrical adds alarm endorsement $75.00 initial / $25.00 renewal. OAC 158:85-2-5 publishes the roofing schedule: initial registration $75.00, renewal $75.00, commercial endorsement application $30.00, initial endorsement $200.00, renewal $100.00, late fee (31-60 days) $100.00, suspended $150.00, revoked reinstatement $300.00, change of registry information $25.00. Examination fees are separate and paid to the testing provider. | S-OK-OAC-158-40-9-3Source S-OK-OAC-158-40-9-3 — Oklahoma Secretary of State — Office of Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Administrative Code)OAC 158:40-9-3 — Electrical: license and registration fees and renewals (LII mirror) — OAC 158:40-9-3(b) + 158:30-9-2(b) + 158:50-9-2(b) + 158:85-2-5(a) verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/oklahoma/OAC-158-40-9-3 Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (LII mirror of the OAC). Verbatim fee schedule: 'contractors application - $30.00; initial contractor license - $300.00; renewal contractor license - $200.00; renewal contractor license with late fee - $300.00; journeyman application - $25.00; initial journeyman license - $50.00; renewal journeyman license - $75.00; renewal journeyman license with late fee - $100.00; apprentice application - $5.00; apprentice registration - $20.00; initial alarm endorsement - $75.00; renewal alarm endorsement - $25.00.' Duration: 'All licenses and alarm endorsements shall have a duration of no longer than one year, and shall expire on the last day of the birth month of the licensee each year.' Late/reinstatement: 'Thirty (30) days after the expiration of a license for contractors and journeyman a late license renewal fee is effective … Upon meeting the continuing education requirements … a license may be renewed up to a year from the original renewal date. Any license which remains expired for longer than one (1) year shall not be renewed. The former license holder shall be required to make an initial application and retest.' Outstanding fines block issuance/renewal. Exam fee: the CIB 'may collect for the actual cost of any examination', capped by '59 O.S. § 1000.5(A)(2)'. Backs REQ-OK-FEES-001, REQ-OK-RENEWAL-001 and the electrical fee rows. |
| Air duct cleaning does not require a state licence — verified absence CIB Mechanical industry page verbatim (read 2026-10-05) | exemption | CIB verbatim: 'Currently, the performance of air duct cleaning does not require a state license in Oklahoma. For statutes and rules on Mechanical licensure, please see 59 O.S. §1850.1, et seq. and OAC 158:50.' | S-OK-CIB-MECHANICALSource S-OK-CIB-MECHANICAL — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)CIB — Mechanical industry (CE, air duct cleaning, the commercial/residential FAQ) — CIB Mechanical industry page verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://oklahoma.gov/cib/your-industry/mechanical.html Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (HTTP 200, official). Verbatim: 'All Journeymen and Contractors are required to have received six (6) hours of continuing education within the preceding thirty-six (36) months of their license expiration.' 'Currently, the performance of air duct cleaning does not require a state license in Oklahoma. For statutes and rules on Mechanical licensure, please see 59 O.S. §1850.1, et seq. and OAC 158:50.' FAQ verbatim: 'A Mechanical HVAC or a Plumbing license is allowed to install in residential homes only. Installation in a commercial building requires a Mechanical HVAC license, and if more than 500,000 Btu/h per appliance then the Mechanical HVAC license must be an Unlimited license.' Also publishes the Fueled Hearth Product Work specialty (a reduced-requirement alternative to a full HVAC license). The residential-only FAQ sentence is the source of CONFLICT-OK-001. Backs REQ-OK-CE-MECH-PLB-001, REQ-OK-AIR-DUCT-001 and REQ-OK-COMMERCIAL-BTU-001. |
| Local jurisdictions may impose their own contractor requirements and permits (home rule) CIB home page verbatim (read 2026-10-05) | permit | CIB verbatim: 'Further, local jurisdictions should be contacted for any local requirements.' Because Oklahoma has no statewide general-contractor licence, cities and towns regulate general building contractors, permits and inspections themselves. NO Oklahoma municipal code or fee schedule was opened in this research, so every local figure is LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED. | S-OK-CIB-HOMESource S-OK-CIB-HOME — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)Construction Industries Board — home (mission, General Contractors statement, lookups) — CIB home page verbatim (read 2026-10-05) Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (HTTP 200, official). Verbatim: 'Oklahoma General Contractors Statement — General Contractors are not currently required to have a state license in Oklahoma for general contracting. However, trade licenses/registrations are required for performing, or offering to perform, licensed/registered trade work. Further, local jurisdictions should be contacted for any local requirements.' Also publishes the online renewal portal, the licensee-search tool (building & home inspectors, electrical, mechanical, plumbing) and the separate registered-roofing-contractor search. Backs REQ-OK-NO-STATEWIDE-GC-001 and rule OK-NO-STATEWIDE-GC. |
06 Rule: OK-MECHANICAL-CATEGORIES
The CIB publishes seven mechanical contractor categories: HVAC/R UNLIMITED (any cooling/heating equipment with process piping, sheet metal, natural gas piping, refrigeration); HVAC/R LIMITED (cooling at most 25 tons and heating at most 500,000 Btu/h per appliance); REFRIGERATION; NATURAL GAS PIPING; PROCESS PIPING; SHEET METAL; and GROUND SOURCE PIPING (certification by a Committee-approved organization, no exam). A mechanical contractor must be a permanent employee, owner, partner or officer of the mechanical firm and must meet the journeyman requirements plus one more year. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| hvacr-unlimited | mechanical_hvacr_unlimited | — |
| hvacr-limited | mechanical_hvacr_limited |
|
| specialty | mechanical_specialty_category | — |
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-OK-CIB-MECH-CONTRACTOR
07 Rule: OK-MECHANICAL-COMMERCIAL
The commercial mechanical boundary is DISPUTED (CONFLICT-OK-001). The CIB FAQ states: 'A Mechanical HVAC or a Plumbing license is allowed to install in residential homes only. Installation in a commercial building requires a Mechanical HVAC license, and if more than 500,000 Btu/h per appliance then the Mechanical HVAC license must be an Unlimited license.' The mechanical contractor page, however, defines HVAC/R LIMITED to include heating equipment up to 500,000 Btu/h per appliance with NO residential/commercial restriction. Both texts are published; the exact boundary is NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| commercial-mechanical | commercial_mechanical_boundary_not_determined |
|
| residential-mechanical | residential_mechanical_in_scope |
|
Rule confidence: conflicting. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-OK-CIB-MECHANICALS-OK-CIB-MECH-CONTRACTOR
08 Rule: OK-TRADE-LICENSE
Trade credentials are TRADE-SPECIFIC and enforced by TRADE: the CIB licenses electrical (OAC 158:40), mechanical (OAC 158:50) and plumbing (OAC 158:30) contractors and registers roofing contractors (OAC 158:85). 59 O.S. §1690 makes acting as or offering to act as an electrical contractor without a licence a misdemeanor; 59 O.S. §1012 does the same for journeyman plumbing; OAC 158:85-2-1 requires a roofing registration before advertising or performing roofing contractor work. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| licensed-trade | trade_credential_required |
|
| not-a-licensed-trade | not_a_state_licensed_trade |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-OK-CIB-HOMES-OK-59-1690S-OK-59-1012S-OK-OAC-158-85-2-1
09 Rule: OK-BOND
CIB: 'After you have successfully passed your exams, your license will be inactive until the CIB receives proof of the bond and insurance listed below: An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor is required to carry a five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) Corporate Surety Bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board … The bond must be in the individual license holder's name. The bond must be continuous and provide for thirty- (30) days cancellation notice.' An affidavit waiver is published for each trade. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| bond-required | surety_bond_required |
|
| bond-not-applicable-roofing | no_bond_required_for_roofing | — |
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTORS-OK-CIB-PLUMBING
10 Rule: OK-INSURANCE
CIB: 'An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor must provide a certificate of insurance evidencing a minimum of $50,000.00 commercial general liability insurance in the form of a Certificate of General Liability. The individual license holder's name must be on the certificate of insurance. The certificate holder is the Construction Industries Board.' Failure to keep current insurance makes the licence inactive. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| met | trade_liability_insurance_met | — |
| below-minimum | trade_liability_insurance_below_minimum |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTOR
11 Rule: OK-AIR-DUCT
CIB: 'Currently, the performance of air duct cleaning does not require a state license in Oklahoma. For statutes and rules on Mechanical licensure, please see 59 O.S. §1850.1, et seq. and OAC 158:50.' Duct INSTALLATION (sheet metal) remains a licensed mechanical category. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| cleaning-not-licensed | air_duct_cleaning_not_licensed | — |
| installation-licensed | mechanical_category_still_applies | — |
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-OK-CIB-MECHANICAL
12 Rule: OK-APPRENTICE
CIB: 'All apprentice applications must have original signatures'; 'All apprentice applications must be signed by an active contractor'; apprentices 'can only work in the following ratios: Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1'. Apprentice work experience counts toward licensing only if verifiable through apprentice registration; the licensed contractor keeps an account of apprentice hours each year. Apprentice application $5, registration $20. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| apprentice-over-ratio | apprentice_ratio_exceeded |
|
| apprentice-registration | apprentice_registration_required | — |
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTORS-OK-CIB-PLUMBING
13 The mechanical categories and the disputed commercial line
| Question | Oklahoma answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Which credential? | a mechanical contractor licence in the matching category (rule OK-MECHANICAL-CATEGORIES) | S-OK-CIB-MECH-CONTRACTOR |
| HVAC/R LIMITED ceilings | cooling at most 25 tons and heating at most 500,000 Btu/h per appliance | S-OK-CIB-MECH-CONTRACTOR |
| Commercial boundary | not determined — the FAQ says a mechanical HVAC or plumbing licence is residential-only and that >500,000 Btu/h per appliance needs UNLIMITED, while the category scopes state no such limit (rule OK-MECHANICAL-COMMERCIAL) | S-OK-CIB-MECHANICAL |
| Activation | $5,000 CIB surety bond + $50,000 CGL, or the licence stays inactive (rules OK-BOND, OK-INSURANCE) | S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTOR |
| Air duct cleaning | no state licence required — verified absence; duct INSTALLATION remains licensed (rule OK-AIR-DUCT) | S-OK-CIB-MECHANICAL |
| Electrical portion | a separate trade — an electrical contractor licence (rule OK-TRADE-LICENSE) | S-OK-CIB-HOME |
14 Permit and verification layer
Oklahoma separates the credential from the permit and the locality: the STATE decides who may perform licensed trade work (the CIB trade licence or roofing registration), while the city or county issues the building permit and — because there is no statewide general-contractor licence — regulates general building contractors itself. The permit and its rules are local — LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED. S-OK-CIB-HOME
Verify the credential that actually applies on the official lookup before relying on any outcome here: CIB licensee search for electrical, mechanical, plumbing and inspector licensees, and registered roofing contractors. S-OK-CIB-HOME
Source S-OK-CIB-ACTIVE-CONTRACTOR — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)
CIB — Active Contractor Requirements (bond, insurance, apprentices, display) — CIB Active Contractor Requirements verbatim (read 2026-10-05)
https://oklahoma.gov/cib/your-industry/active-contractor-requirements.html
Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05
Read in full 2026-10-05 (HTTP 200, official). Verbatim: 'After you have successfully passed your exams, your license will be inactive until the CIB receives proof of the bond and insurance listed below: 1. An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor is required to carry a five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) Corporate Surety Bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board with original signatures, seals and Power of Attorney attached. The bond must be in the individual license holder's name. The bond must be continuous and provide for thirty- (30) days cancellation notice. 2. An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor must provide a certificate of insurance evidencing a minimum of $50,000.00 commercial general liability insurance in the form of a Certificate of General Liability. The individual license holder's name must be on the certificate of insurance. The certificate holder is the Construction Industries Board.' Apprentices: original signatures, must be signed by an ACTIVE contractor, ratio 'Electrical Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1', 'Mechanical Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1', 'Plumbing Apprentices to Contractors - 3:1'. Display: vehicles must show the firm name and the license number 'bearing the initials OK preceding that number', letters/numerals 'at least two (2) inches high' on both sides, and the number must be displayed on 'all advertising, contracts, and bids'. The page also lists the license-bond form and the electrical/mechanical/plumbing affidavits waiving bond & insurance. Backs REQ-OK-BOND-001, REQ-OK-INSURANCE-TRADE-001, REQ-OK-APPRENTICE-001 and REQ-OK-DISPLAY-001.