New licensing rules for elevator contractors and mechanics take effect
Individuals who install, service or maintain elevators or other conveyances in the state of Ohio have one year to earn their Elevator Contractor’s or Elevator Mechanic’s License. As of Nov. 1, 2024, new rules take effect that require individuals who work on elevators to be licensed by Nov. 1, 2025.
Ohio law previously only required elevator inspectors to be licensed; however, House Bill 107, which was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on Jan. 2, 2023, strengthened the requirements and made Ohio the 38th state to require licenses for elevator contractors and mechanics as well.
In addition to requiring licensure, House Bill 107 established the Elevator Safety Review Board (ESRB), which will be comprised of nine individuals and operate within the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance’s (DIC's) Licensing Section. In addition to earning initial licensure, elevator mechanics must complete eight hours of continuing education within one year before their scheduled license renewal date.
While elevator contractors and mechanics previously were not required to be licensed, all elevators must pass inspection annually after being installed as well as following any repair or maintenance work. Each year, Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI)-certified inspectors with DIC’s Elevator Section conduct approximately 32,000 inspections across the state, not including Cleveland or Cincinnati since those city departments conduct their own inspections.
“When someone steps onto an elevator, escalator, moving walkway, wheelchair lift or any other lifting device, it’s important they have full confidence in the safety of that device,” said Robb Coventry, DIC Superintendent. “This licensure requirement will help ensure individuals have the training they need to perform this important work in a proper and safe manner, and it adds another layer of safety for Ohioans who use these devices on a daily basis.”
The Division inspects a wide range of elevators including passenger, freight, escalator and moving walks, dumbwaiters, vertical platforms, incline platforms, chairlifts, sidewalk lifts, stage lifts, belted-man lifts, and special service (i.e. wind turbines, grain silos, coal mines and smokestacks).
DIC is now in the process of communicating these requirements to external stakeholders and scheduling a series of meetings to ensure there is understanding regarding the application process and timeline.
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