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Handyman License Requirements in Mentor, OH

By , Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Ohio rules checked November 2, 2026 · Mentor local rules checked November 2, 2026

Required: City of Mentor Contractor Registration with the Engineering & Building Department, (440) 974-5785, building@cityofmentor.com, before any work in Mentor (applies to anyone working in the city). $100 per registration ($50 renewal before Jan 31); $10,000 Mentor surety bond per trade registration; $1,000,000 liability insurance; city income tax registration form included; state OCILB license for plumbing/electrical/HVAC/fire protection. Apply via Mentor Gateway (mentoroh.viewpointcloud.com).

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Mentor requirements

Required: City of Mentor Contractor Registration with the Engineering & Building Department, (440) 974-5785, building@cityofmentor.com, before any work in Mentor (applies to anyone working in the city). $100 per registration ($50 renewal before Jan 31); $10,000 Mentor surety bond per trade registration; $1,000,000 liability insurance; city income tax registration form included; state OCILB license for plumbing/electrical/HVAC/fire protection. Apply via Mentor Gateway (mentoroh.viewpointcloud.com).

Source link: cityofmentor.com · cityofmentor.com · cityofmentor.com · checked November 2, 2026

Local business license

None found on official sources

  • Name: No general city business license; City of Mentor income tax registration form is part of the contractor registration package
  • Office: City of Mentor Income Tax Department
"Contractor Registration Form ... Contractor Bond Form ... Income Tax Registration Form"

Source: cityofmentor.com · checked November 2, 2026

Local contractor or handyman license

Required

  • Name: City of Mentor Contractor Registration (Certificate of Registration), Codified Ord. 925, 1307, 1309
  • Trigger: All contractors who contract with the general public must register before performing any work in Mentor. $100 per registration ($50 renewal if filed before Jan 31); original Mentor bond form $10,000 for EACH trade registration; liability insurance $1,000,000 ($500,000/$250,000); state license for plumbing/electrical/HVAC/fire protection.
"All contractors within the City of Mentor, who contract with the general public, are required to register with the City prior to performing any work (per Mentor Code of Ordinances 925, 1307 and 1309)."

Source: cityofmentor.com · checked November 2, 2026

County: Lake County

The Ohio rule

Regulator: Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Division of Industrial Compliance, Ohio Department of Commerce (commercial specialty trades only); local building/health departments for residential contractor registration

No statewide general license
Ohio

Not applicable at state level. ORC 4740.01(F) defines the OCILB 'construction project' as one subject to ORC ch. 3781 'but not an industrialized unit or a residential building' - residential work is outside the state license. Any dollar thresholds are set by cities/counties.

What counts toward it: other: not applicable - no state general/residential license, so no state dollar threshold

""Construction project" means a construction project involving a building or structure subject to Chapter 3781. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under that chapter, but not an industrialized unit or a residential building as defined in section 3781.06"

Source: codes.ohio.gov · checked November 2, 2026

State registration

None at state level for general/residential/home-improvement work.

Source: com.ohio.gov · legislature.ohio.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Insurance and bond

No state bond/insurance for general/residential contractors.

Source: codes.ohio.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Forming an LLC in Ohio

State filing fee: $99.

Source: ohiosos.gov · checked November 2, 2026

What to do, in order

  1. Read the Ohio rule and confirm with Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Division of Industrial Compliance, Ohio Department of Commerce (commercial specialty trades only); local building/health departments for residential contractor registration.
  2. Line up the Mentor items listed on this page.
  3. Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.

Nearby places

Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.