How to get an Oklahoma general contractors license 

Are you wondering how to become a general contractor in Oklahoma, but not sure where to start? With requirements and regulations varying from state to state, it’s easy to get confused and overwhelmed. We’ve broken down everything you need to know about Oklahoma general contractors license requirements. 

Do you need an Oklahoma general contractors license?

In Oklahoma, a state license for general contractor work is not available. Nevertheless, if you're engaged in specialty trades like plumbing, electrical, and mechanical contracting, you'll need to acquire a contractor's license. You must also comply with the requirements of the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, which might involve providing evidence of your work experience, taking exams, and paying associated fees.

Project types that do not require a general contractors license

In Oklahoma, state licensing is not obligatory for general contractors providing construction services, including projects such as the following: 

• commercial or residential buildings, 
• Roads 
• Bridges,
• Highways, 
• Installation of utilities, 
• Oil field installations, and other similar undertakings. 
• Site clearing and leveling,
• Concrete work, 
• Carpentry, 
• Painting, and other related activities. 
• Commercial or residential renovation

While state licensing may not be necessary for these typical business operations, licenses may still be mandatory at the county or municipal level.

What’s New for 2025?

In 2025, House Bill 3215 introduced several changes aimed at addressing the worker shortage in Oklahoma’s electrical industry. These include:

1. Lowered Passing Grades for Licensing Tests
2. The passing grade for licensing exams for contractors and journeymen has been lowered, making it easier for more individuals to enter the industry and secure licensure.
3. Increased Continuing Education Hours
4. Continuing education requirements for contractors and journeymen have doubled. This ensures professionals remain informed on industry standards and advancements while meeting the state’s increased demand for skilled workers.
5. New Continuing Education Requirements for Electrical Apprentices
6. Electrical apprentices must now meet continuing education requirements for the first time, ensuring all levels of the trade maintain a baseline of updated knowledge and skills.

Who is the governing authority for specialty trades in Oklahoma?

While contractors or subcontractors performing construction services are not required to be licensed by the state of Oklahoma, specialty trades such as Plumbers, electricians, mechanical contractors, and more will require their own set of criteria to be met through the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board. These specialty trades may require prerequisites such as proof of work experience, exams, workers compensation, liability insurance, and surety bonding – all including associated fees. Below we list a few of the top specific trade work requirements:

How to get an electrical contractor licenses in Oklahoma

Oklahoma offers an alternative to the traditional master electrician license in the form of the Unlimited Electrical Contractor and Journeyman licenses. To obtain either license, applicants must take an examination after meeting the requirements.

To become an Unlimited Electrical Contractor, applicants must first hold an Unlimited Electrical Journeyman license, which requires a minimum of 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience in electrical construction work, with 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial electrical work. Formal electrical education can count towards 2,000 of those hours.

After obtaining the Unlimited Electrical Journeyman license, applicants can then apply for the Unlimited Electrical Contractor license. To qualify, applicants must have a minimum of 12,000 hours of on-the-job experience in electrical construction work, with 6,000 hours in commercial or industrial work, and provide proof of 4,000 hours and 2 years of experience as a licensed unlimited electrical journeyman. Formal electrical education can count towards 2,000 of those hours.

The cost for the Unlimited Electrical Journeyman license is $75, while the Unlimited Electrical Contractor license costs $330.

How to get a mechanical and HVAC contractor license in Oklahoma

The Construction Industries Board provides one application for all three journeyman-type licenses and the contractor license. The journeyman-type licenses include an HVAC/R Limited license, an HVAC/R Unlimited license, and a Limited Residential Journeyman license. To obtain any of these licenses, applicants must have at least three years of verifiable experience in the mechanical trade, which can be substituted with completion of an approved education program of varying lengths. Contractor applicants have the same requirements as journeyman applicants but must also have an additional year of experience.

The journeyman licensing exam focuses solely on technical trade, whereas the contractor's exam covers technical trade, business, and law. Additionally, contractors must provide proof of a $5,000 Corporate Surety Bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board and general liability insurance coverage of at least $50,000. The fee for journeyman licenses is $75, and the fee for contractor applicants is $330.

How to get a roofing contractor license in Oklahoma

While most rules regarding contractor licensing in Oklahoma are fairly similar, roofers only need to register with the state. Roofing contractors can complete their registration using a specific application, and the following requirements apply:

• Applicants must be 18 years old or above.
• Applicants must be an owner, officer of a corporation, member of an LLC, or general partner in a limited liability partnership.
• Commercial roofing contractors must pass an appropriate exam to secure a commercial endorsement.
• Proof of worker's compensation insurance is required.
• Four hours of continuing education must be completed every three years.

The application fee is $75, and additional fees apply for late renewal, reinstating revoked licenses, and other circumstances.

Penalties for unlicensed contractors in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, unlicensed specialty contracting is considered a misdemeanor offense, with the minimum penalty being a fine and the maximum penalty being one year in jail. Repeat offenders may face even harsher penalties.

Leveraging your license on Houzz

While you don’t need an Oklahoma general contractors license, for specialty contractors it might be time to start thinking about how you can promote your license to potential. Everyone who’s anyone knows the value of a blue checkmark on social media. That’s what the green Verified License Badge is for businesses on Houzz Pro. With one glance, this Badge helps you:

• Let homeowners know that your business is licensed by state industry experts.
• Stand out from the competition while homeowners consider who to hire
• Add credibility to your company name, providing peace of mind to future clients

Here are the steps you can take to add a verified license to your Houzz profile. If you haven’t created a free profile on Houzz, sign up today and get ready to make a bigger impact with your business’ online presence.