From boilers to buildings: How the Ohio Division of Industrial Compliance kept Ohio safe in 2025
Behind every safe building, elevator ride and reliable commercial heating system is the work of the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance, and they were busy as ever last year.
2025 marked a record-setting year for the Division, which works tirelessly to protect Ohioans by streamlining certification processes, conducting thousands of inspections, and partnering with industry leaders to remove entry obstacles while raising safety standards statewide.
“As Ohio grows, so does our responsibility to protect the people who call it home,” said Division Superintendent Robb Coventry. “2025 brought big challenges, and our team delivered with determination and expertise. In 2026, we’re maintaining our focus on safety standards, streamlining processes, and enhancing customer service to keep Ohio moving forward.”
From elevators and boilers to bedding and plumbing, the Division’s work touches nearly every corner of Ohio’s built environment. The vastness of the Division’s work is illustrated in the below statistics, which highlight its work in 2025 and reflect the Division’s commitment to public safety, economic stability, and innovation.
2025 By the Numbers
Inspections Conducted (Approximate):
• Electrical: 7,536
• Plumbing: 3,207
• Structural: 7,270
• Bedding: 2,168
• Boiler: 24,951
• Elevator: 48,204
• Total: 93,336.
Active Registrations and Licenses (Approximate):
• Boilers: 60,013
• Elevators: 35,301
• Bedding: 7,568
• Backflow Technicians: 3,478
• Modern Boiler Operators: 5,492
• Historical Boiler Operators: 760
• Total Active Registrations and Licenses: 112,612.
Building Plans
The Department reviewed 4,341 submissions in 2025, including 775 new buildings. Other submissions included alterations, temporary certificate of occupancies and preliminary plan reviews. Plans examiners review and approve blueprints for projects across the state, including state-owned buildings and areas that don’t have local building departments. Their work ensures every project meets safety and building code standards before construction begins.
Industrialized Units (IU) Industrialized units are prefabricated building components or modules manufactured in a controlled factory setting and then transported to a construction site for assembly. New rules regarding industrialized units went into effect April 1, 2025, with new certification rules going into effect July 1, 2025. Following that date, the Division received 655 IU applications, which is a 40% increase from 2024.
Licensing & Certification
The Ohio Board of Building Standards, which is within the Division, launched a new eLicense LPI (Licensing, Permitting, and Inspections) Portal on Aug. 4 that modernizes and streamlines the certification process for individuals who are responsible for assisting Ohio residential and commercial building owners in verifying their projects comply with current building codes. Following launch, 1,140 certified personnel across the state, including building officials, plans examiners and inspectors at local building departments, claimed certifications online.
The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board licensed 14,525 contractors in 2025, including 674 new licenses and more than 10,000 renewals.
Manufactured Homes Program (MHP) Compliance
The Division’s Manufactured Homes Program has jurisdiction over the installation of manufactured homes; the licensing and regulation of manufactured home park operators, installers, dealers, brokers, and salespersons; and the certification and regulation of inspectors and inspection agencies. To date, the program oversees more than 1,500 parks across Ohio. In 2025, the Program achieved a record-high 80.2% compliance rate for annual inspections and a record-high 71% compliance rate when addressing complaints.
The Division of Industrial Compliance plays a critical role in safeguarding Ohio’s infrastructure and public spaces. Every inspection, license, and certification represents a proactive step toward protecting lives, maintaining structural integrity, and ensuring businesses operate within state standards. By maintaining high compliance rates and expanding access to online tools, the Division continues to strengthen Ohio’s built environment for residents and businesses alike.
Wage and Hour Compliance
In 2025, the Division issued 352 determinations regarding wage complaints totaling $988,482.40. The Division also closed 857 cases regarding wage and hour complaints, by finding no violation or the employer paying directly, and 125 cases were still open at the end of 2025. These efforts help to ensure workers receive proper compensation and employers follow state labor laws, which protect Ohio’s workforce and promote fair business practices statewide.