1. Q: According to Ohio law, what is the minimum age requirement to
obtain a home improvement contractor license? ANSWER 18 years of age
2. Q: How long is an Ohio home improvement contractor license valid
before renewal is required? ANSWER 3 years
3. Q: What is the minimum surety bond amount required for Ohio home
improvement contractors? ANSWER $25,000
4. Q: What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required for Ohio
home improvement contractors? ANSWER $100,000 per occurrence
5. Q: Which organization administers the 767 Ohio Home Improvement
Contractor examination? ANSWER International Code Council (ICC)
through Pearson VUE
6. Q: What is the maximum fine for performing home improvement work
without a valid license in Ohio? ANSWER $5,000 per violation
7. Q: How many business days does a homeowner have to cancel a home
improvement contract in Ohio? ANSWER 3 business days (right of
rescission)
8. Q: What is the minimum contract amount that requires a written
contract in Ohio? ANSWER $500
9. Q: What information must be prominently displayed on all home
improvement contractor advertising? ANSWER Valid Ohio contractor
license number
10. Q: Who is responsible for ensuring that all required permits are
obtained for a home improvement project? ANSWER The licensed
contractor
11. Q: What is the maximum down payment a contractor can legally
request before beginning work? ANSWER Generally 10% or $1,000,
whichever is less
,12. Q: How long must contractors maintain records of completed projects?
ANSWER 3 years after completion
13. Q: What constitutes "abandonment" of a home improvement project
under Ohio law? ANSWER Failure to perform work for 30 consecutive days
without justification
14. Q: Which authority has jurisdiction over home improvement
contractor licensing in Ohio? ANSWER Ohio Department of Commerce,
Division of Industrial Compliance and Labor
15. Q: What happens to a contractor's license if they fail to maintain
required insurance? ANSWER Automatic suspension until compliance is
restored
16. Q: Can a contractor legally subcontract work to unlicensed
individuals? ANSWER Only for work that doesn't require licensing (e.g.,
material delivery)
17. Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a complaint against a
licensed contractor in Ohio? ANSWER 2 years from completion or
abandonment of work
18. Q: What disclosure must be provided to homeowners regarding the
right of rescission? ANSWER Written notice in contract explaining 3-day
cancellation right
19. Q: Are contractors required to provide warranty information in their
contracts? ANSWER Yes, all warranty terms must be clearly stated in writing
20. Q: What is the penalty for advertising services that exceed the
contractor's license scope? ANSWER Civil penalties up to $1,000 per
violation
21. Q: Can contractors require homeowners to waive their legal rights in
the contract? ANSWER No, certain consumer protection rights cannot be
waived
22. Q: What information must be included in every home improvement
contract? ANSWER License number, total cost, work description,
start/completion dates, materials
23. Q: How often must contractors renew their continuing education
requirements? ANSWER 6 hours every 3-year license period
, 24. Q: What constitutes a material breach of a home improvement
contract? ANSWER A violation that substantially defeats the contract's
purpose
25. Q: Can door-to-door sales contracts be canceled immediately?
ANSWER Yes, extended cancellation rights apply to door-to-door sales
26. Q: What happens if a contractor works with an expired license?
ANSWER Same penalties as working without a license
27. Q: Are there enhanced penalties for contractor violations during
declared emergencies? ANSWER Yes, disaster-related violations carry
enhanced penalties
28. Q: What is required for a contract modification to be legally binding?
ANSWER Written modification signed by both parties
29. Q: Can contractors charge for estimates that were initially offered as
free? ANSWER No, free estimates cannot later be charged
30. Q: What bonding requirements apply to home improvement
contractors? ANSWER $25,000 surety bond filed with the state
31. Q: How are complaints against licensed contractors processed?
ANSWER Through the Ohio Department of Commerce investigation process
32. Q: What constitutes proper license display requirements? ANSWER
License number on vehicles, advertising, contracts, and business location
33. Q: Can contractors assign contracts to other parties without
homeowner consent? ANSWER Generally no, unless specifically provided in
original contract
34. Q: What insurance verification must contractors provide to customers?
ANSWER Proof of current liability and workers' compensation insurance
35. Q: Are there special requirements for contracts exceeding $25,000?
ANSWER Yes, additional disclosure and procedural requirements apply
36. Q: What constitutes consumer fraud in home improvement
contracting? ANSWER Misrepresentation, false advertising, or deceptive
trade practices
37. Q: Can contractors use binding arbitration clauses in their contracts?
ANSWER Limited use; cannot completely waive homeowner's right to court
action
obtain a home improvement contractor license? ANSWER 18 years of age
2. Q: How long is an Ohio home improvement contractor license valid
before renewal is required? ANSWER 3 years
3. Q: What is the minimum surety bond amount required for Ohio home
improvement contractors? ANSWER $25,000
4. Q: What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required for Ohio
home improvement contractors? ANSWER $100,000 per occurrence
5. Q: Which organization administers the 767 Ohio Home Improvement
Contractor examination? ANSWER International Code Council (ICC)
through Pearson VUE
6. Q: What is the maximum fine for performing home improvement work
without a valid license in Ohio? ANSWER $5,000 per violation
7. Q: How many business days does a homeowner have to cancel a home
improvement contract in Ohio? ANSWER 3 business days (right of
rescission)
8. Q: What is the minimum contract amount that requires a written
contract in Ohio? ANSWER $500
9. Q: What information must be prominently displayed on all home
improvement contractor advertising? ANSWER Valid Ohio contractor
license number
10. Q: Who is responsible for ensuring that all required permits are
obtained for a home improvement project? ANSWER The licensed
contractor
11. Q: What is the maximum down payment a contractor can legally
request before beginning work? ANSWER Generally 10% or $1,000,
whichever is less
,12. Q: How long must contractors maintain records of completed projects?
ANSWER 3 years after completion
13. Q: What constitutes "abandonment" of a home improvement project
under Ohio law? ANSWER Failure to perform work for 30 consecutive days
without justification
14. Q: Which authority has jurisdiction over home improvement
contractor licensing in Ohio? ANSWER Ohio Department of Commerce,
Division of Industrial Compliance and Labor
15. Q: What happens to a contractor's license if they fail to maintain
required insurance? ANSWER Automatic suspension until compliance is
restored
16. Q: Can a contractor legally subcontract work to unlicensed
individuals? ANSWER Only for work that doesn't require licensing (e.g.,
material delivery)
17. Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a complaint against a
licensed contractor in Ohio? ANSWER 2 years from completion or
abandonment of work
18. Q: What disclosure must be provided to homeowners regarding the
right of rescission? ANSWER Written notice in contract explaining 3-day
cancellation right
19. Q: Are contractors required to provide warranty information in their
contracts? ANSWER Yes, all warranty terms must be clearly stated in writing
20. Q: What is the penalty for advertising services that exceed the
contractor's license scope? ANSWER Civil penalties up to $1,000 per
violation
21. Q: Can contractors require homeowners to waive their legal rights in
the contract? ANSWER No, certain consumer protection rights cannot be
waived
22. Q: What information must be included in every home improvement
contract? ANSWER License number, total cost, work description,
start/completion dates, materials
23. Q: How often must contractors renew their continuing education
requirements? ANSWER 6 hours every 3-year license period
, 24. Q: What constitutes a material breach of a home improvement
contract? ANSWER A violation that substantially defeats the contract's
purpose
25. Q: Can door-to-door sales contracts be canceled immediately?
ANSWER Yes, extended cancellation rights apply to door-to-door sales
26. Q: What happens if a contractor works with an expired license?
ANSWER Same penalties as working without a license
27. Q: Are there enhanced penalties for contractor violations during
declared emergencies? ANSWER Yes, disaster-related violations carry
enhanced penalties
28. Q: What is required for a contract modification to be legally binding?
ANSWER Written modification signed by both parties
29. Q: Can contractors charge for estimates that were initially offered as
free? ANSWER No, free estimates cannot later be charged
30. Q: What bonding requirements apply to home improvement
contractors? ANSWER $25,000 surety bond filed with the state
31. Q: How are complaints against licensed contractors processed?
ANSWER Through the Ohio Department of Commerce investigation process
32. Q: What constitutes proper license display requirements? ANSWER
License number on vehicles, advertising, contracts, and business location
33. Q: Can contractors assign contracts to other parties without
homeowner consent? ANSWER Generally no, unless specifically provided in
original contract
34. Q: What insurance verification must contractors provide to customers?
ANSWER Proof of current liability and workers' compensation insurance
35. Q: Are there special requirements for contracts exceeding $25,000?
ANSWER Yes, additional disclosure and procedural requirements apply
36. Q: What constitutes consumer fraud in home improvement
contracting? ANSWER Misrepresentation, false advertising, or deceptive
trade practices
37. Q: Can contractors use binding arbitration clauses in their contracts?
ANSWER Limited use; cannot completely waive homeowner's right to court
action
