How do you get a Ohio boiler license?

Answer 1

In Ohio, there is a practical experience requirement before a person can sit for the High Pressure Boiler Operator exam, but if you complete a state-approved training program you can cut the required practical experience down. You'll either need to have 2000 hours of first-hand practical experience dealing with steam boilers and associated equipment, or if you complete a state-approved training course of at least 75 hours, you can cut the practical experience requirement to 1000 hours. The High Pressure Boiler Operator level of license allows you to operate any steam boiler that falls under State of Ohio jurisdiction. (For example, boilers in federal prisons or nuclear power plants do not require an Ohio license because they fall under federal jurisdiction). If you want to sit for the Low Pressure Boiler Operator exam (which allows you to operate boilers with a maximum pressure of 15 psi or less), you have to have 2000 hours of practical experience, or if you complete a state-approved training program of at least 50 hours you can cut the practical experience requirement to 600 hours. This level of license is most often carried by custodians in school systems who operate low pressure steam heating boilers. Note that you can also obtain a Stationary Steam Engineer license in Ohio. This level of license is a step above the High Pressure Boiler Operator license. It allows you to operate steam turbines as well as high pressure or low pressure steam boilers. To qualify to sit for this exam, you'll need to have 2000 hours' practical experience working with steam boilers and/or steam turbines. Or, if you complete a state-approved training program of at least 125 hours, you can cut the practical experience requirement to 1000 hours. Most people obtain the practical experience in one of the following ways: (a) An employer brings the employee into the department where the license is required, and the employee "learns the ropes" from other employees and supervisors during a training period. Then the employee goes and takes the exam. (b) The person who wishes to obtain the license works in a facility that uses boilers which are small enough that an operating license is not required (fewer than 360 square feet of heating surface) to obtain the required experience. Though these smaller boilers do not require an operating license, the time accrued working with them counts toward the license exam requirement. (c) Sometimes a person volunteers time at a facility that will allow him/her to spend time learning the equipment on their own time. Alternately, you may satisfy the experience requirement if you were a Boiler Technician or Machinist's Mate in the US Navy. You'd need to provide a notarized copy of your DD-214 form showing that classification. That experience must be within the last 5 years. If you go to www.steamworksllc.com you can find lots of information about the Ohio requirements there. Click on the "Resources" button and then on the "Boiler Operator / Stationary Steam Engineer Licensing" link. There you can find several links to Ohio's Licensing Laws and Rules (a downloadable PDF document), the exam dates and location, fees, the exam application form, contact phone numbers at the State of Ohio, etc. Hope this helps!