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What is the OK CIB?

Written by Kacie Goff

OK CIB. Those five letters can make or break your career in a number of professions across the state of Oklahoma. That’s because the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (OK CIB) is the state authority that issues a variety of licenses and ensures that licensees keep them current. 

Their goal is to protect consumers, ensuring the professionals working on their building are knowledgeable about the latest codes and regulations. In their own words, their “mission is critical to the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public.” That’s why they require continuing education to renew licenses every few years. But before we talk about the specifics of what the CIB requires to get and keep your license, let’s learn a little more about this state agency. 

How does the Construction Industries Board work?

The CIB is a self-funded agency. The board that guides it is made up of seven people who are appointment by Governor. And don’t worry. Each of them has a business mindset. The rules and regulations they set forth are designed to protect and support business growth, not hinder it. 

Specifically, the OK CIB issues licenses and registration and performs inspection and enforcement for a number of industries. They industries in which they work, along with the laws that guide them in each of those industries, are:

Up until 2001, the Department of Public Health oversaw these skilled trades. But the state saw a need to create a dedicated agency that could streamline the process of issuing and tracking licenses and performing inspections. The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, or OK CIB, became effective on January 1, 2002. On their website, they say that ever since then, their work has had the “continuing purpose of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public.”

It’s worth noting that the OK CIB is not the agency that issues statewide codes like building, plumbing, or electrical codes. Instead, the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission adopts those codes. You can find more information about the current statewide codes on their website. 

Why should I care about the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board?

Whether you’re a roofing contractor, building inspector, electrician, mechanic, or plumber, you’re going to have to interact with the CIB of Oklahoma in some way. Specifically, you’ll need to apply for your license to practice your trade them. 

And that can shape how much business you get because they have a “Are They Licensed?” resource on their website. With that tool, any company or individual thinking about hiring you can check if your license is current. 

Keeping your license current can mean winning bids and growing your business. Not every customer will check to see if your license is active, but some will. When you show up as an active, licensed professional within the Construction Industry Board’s system, you’re immediately legitimized. You’re significantly more likely to get the project from the person or company checking to see if you’re licensed. 

What licenses does the Construction Industry Board oversee?

The OK CIB tracks licenses for:

  • Oklahoma roofing contractors
  • Oklahoma building and construction inspectors
  • Oklahoma electrical licensees and electrical apprentices
  • Oklahoma home inspectors
  • Oklahoma mechanical licensees and mechanical apprentices
  • Oklahoma plumbing licensees and plumbing apprentices

How do I get my license?

It varies from industry to industry. Fortunately, the OK CIB has a dedicated webpage you can use. Just click the link for your trade and then choose the “Path(s) to Licensing” link at the top of the bulleted list. There, you’ll find everything you need to know to get appropriately licensed in the state of Oklahoma. 

How do I make sure my OK CIB license stays active?

If you need any of the above licenses to practice your trade, you’ll have to work with the OK CIB to both get and maintain your license. 

After initially securing your license, don’t forget that you need to take steps to renew it on a regular basis. How do you do that? The specifics depend on your license but it generally comes down to a few things:

  • Take the appropriate amounts of continuing education units: Different types of licenses require a different number of continuing education hours for renewal. But regardless of the hours you require, it’s important you take them from a CIB-approved institution. If you don’t, they won’t count towards your renewal requirements. Here are some quick links to help you find the right courses for your license:
  • Meet the bond and insurance requirements: Again, the requirements vary by license type, but you’ll generally need to have a certain dollar amount of insurance and bond protection in place. (This is generally true for licensees but if you’re an apprentice, you don’t need to worry about this yet.)
  • Submit your renewal application in time: Don’t wait to send in your renewal application! If you let your license expire, the process for reactivating it is a lot more involved (and usually more expensive) than the renewal process. 

To find all the information you need to know to renew your specific license, head to the Construction Industries Board website. They have a renewal info page to help guide you. 

Getting and renewing your license with the CIB of Oklahoma may feel like extra work, but it can help you win more business. Use their website to find more information about how they work with your industry. 

Again, their aim is to help — not hinder — business growth. In fact, they sometimes post helpful links and resources to their social media pages. Want to stay up to date with the OK CIB? They make it fairly easy on social media. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news, resources, and more.