Oklahoma

Oklahoma doesn't license resident construction contractors, except in the electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades. But there are some special requirements for nonresident contractors.

If you're not a resident of Oklahoma, you must post a bond equal to three time the tax liability (or 10%) of any contract you get in the state. You also need an employer identification number from the Oklahoma Tax Commission and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

To find out if an electrician, plumber, or mechanical contractor is licensed in Oklahoma, call (405) 271-5217.

To get an application for a non-resident contractor's license, contact:

Oklahoma Tax Commission 2501 Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73194 (405) 521-4437 http://oktax.state.ok.us/oktax/

The Oklahoma Business Registration Packet is available in Adobe PDF format at http://www.oktax.state.ok.us/oktax/oktax/btforms.html. Every month the Commission gives workshops (two and one-half hours each) at several locations to help you file the items you need to do business in the state.

• Electrician's Licenses

• Mechanical Contractor and Journeyman Licenses

• Plumber's Licenses

• Roofing License

• Department of Transportation (DOT)

• Out-of-State Corporations

Electrician's Licenses

You need a contractor or journeyman license to do electrical work in Oklahoma. To apply for a license, contact:

Oklahoma State Department of Health Occupational Licensing Service Electrical Division 1000 N. E. 10th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299 (405) 271-5217 http://www.cib.state.ok.us/

Electrical Contractor's License

You need to give proof of workers' compensation insurance, a $5,000 license bond, and $50,000 liability insurance to apply for a contractor's license. The Division will review your application and if you're eligible they'll send you information on the exam they require. To qualify for the electrical contractor's exam, you must have five years of electrical work experience. Two of the five years must be in commercial/industrial work. You can use up to two and one-half years of Division-approved education to fulfill the experience requirement.

Journeyman Electrician's License

To qualify for the journeyman's exam you must have four years of electrical work experience. Two of the four years must be in commercial/industrial work. You can use up to two years of Division-approved education to fulfill the experience requirement.

The exams are given by:

PSI Exams 3210 East Tropicana Las Vegas, NV 89121 (800) 733-9267 http://www.psiexams.com

Electrical contractor's license fees: The initial application fee and license will cost $225. A license is good for one year but all licenses expire on June 30 each year.

Journeyman's electrician's license fees: The initial application fee and license will cost $75. A license is good for one year but all licenses expire on June 30 each year.

Mechanical Contractor and Journeyman Licenses

You need a license to do mechanical contracting work in Oklahoma. To apply for a license, contact:

Oklahoma State Department of Health Occupational Licensing Service Mechanical Division 1000 N. E. 10th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299 (405) 271-5217 http://www.cib.state.ok.us/

The Division issues mechanical contractor and journeyman licenses for these trades:

You have to pass exams to get any mechanical license. To qualify for a contractor's exam, you must have four years of work experience. To qualify for a journeyman's exam you must have three years of work experience.

The exams are given by:

PSI Exams 3210 East Tropicana Las Vegas, NV 89121 (800) 733-9267 http://www.psiexams.com

Once you have passed the exam, in order to receive an active contractor's license, you need to give proof of workers' compensation insurance, a $5,000 license bond, and $50,000 liability. If you decide not to pay these, you will receive an inactive license. The inactive license functions the same as a journeyman's license.

Mechanical Contractor's License

For any contractor license you have to pass a business exam and a rules exam. The business exam has math questions on profits, overhead and discounts that you use to operate a business. It also has questions on lien laws, workers' compensation, taxes, and unemployment compensation. 

Mechanical contractor's license fees: The mechanical contractor's exam and license costs $225. A license is good for one year but all licenses expire on June 30 each year.

Mechanical Trade Licenses

You'll also have to pass trade exams for a license.

Journeyman trade license fees: The journeyman trade exam and license costs $75. A license is good for one year but all licenses expire on June 30 each year.

Plumber's Licenses

You need a license to do most plumbing work in Oklahoma. To apply for a license, contact:

Oklahoma State Department of Health Occupational Licensing Department-0509 P.O. Box 268817 Oklahoma City, OK 73126-8817 (405) 271-5217 http://www.cib.state.ok.us/

The Division issues plumbing contractor and journeyman licenses. 

You have to pass an exam to get either license. To qualify for the plumbing contractor's exam, you must have four years of plumbing work experience. To qualify for the journeyman's exam you must have three years of plumbing work experience. The exam has written questions, drawings and/or charts, and a practical shop section. 

The exams are given by:

PSI Exams 3210 East Tropicana Las Vegas, NV 89121 (800) 733-9267 http://www.psiexams.com

Once you have passed the exam, in order to receive an active contractor's license, you need to post a $5,000 bond. If you choose not to post a bond, you will receive an inactive license which functions the same as a journeyman's license.

Plumber's license fees: The plumbing contractor exam and license costs $225. The journeyman exam and license costs $75. A license is good for one year but all licenses expire on June 30 each year.

Roofer's Licenses

You need a license to do roofing work in Oklahoma. To apply for a license, contact:

Oklahoma State Department of Health Occupational Licensing Department-0509 P.O. Box 268817 Oklahoma City, OK 73126-8817 (405) 271-5217 http://www.cib.state.ok.us/

The Division issues roofing, plumbing contractor and journeyman licenses.

To obtain a roofing license, the fee is $300 the following must be provided along with the application:

a. Certificate of General Liability Insurance

Department of Transportation (DOT)

Except for right-of-way clearance projects, county bridge projects, and a few special projects, you have to be prequalified to bid on Oklahoma Department of Transportation projects. To get an application, contact:

Department of Transportation 200 21st Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105 (405) 521-2561 Fax: (405) 522-1035 http://www.okladot.state.ok.us

Some of the details the Department will ask you about are your organization, personnel, financial condition, equipment, and experience. You'll be asked what type of work you want to be qualified for. Here are the types of work the Department uses:

Grading
Minor structure
Paving
Bridge
Traffic control, lighting
Other

You'll also be asked to appoint an Oklahoma resident who will be your agent for receipt of legal process. You must register with the Oklahoma Secretary of State as well.

Prequalification is good for up to 24 months from the date of final acceptance of your last project.

Out-of-State Corporations

An out-of-state corporation needs to register with the Oklahoma Secretary of State to do business in the state. For information, contact:

Office of the Secretary of State State Capitol Building, Room 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 (405) 521-3911 Fax: (405) 521-3771 http://www.sos.state.ok.us

Forms are available online at http://www.sos.state.ok.us/forms/FORMS.HTM

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