Oregon Contractor Licenses: Updated Requirements Guide

Overview of Oregon Contractor Licensing

Oregon’s primary construction contractor licensing is administered at the state level by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Businesses engaged in construction work for compensation on real property generally must hold a CCB license with the proper endorsement (residential or commercial; general or specialty) under ORS 701.021. The CCB also outlines pre-license training, examination, bonding, and insurance requirements for licensed firms.

Trade licenses for electricians and plumbers are issued by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) within the Department of Consumer and Business Services. BCD maintains multiple individual classifications and administers statewide examinations aligned to Oregon’s adopted specialty codes. Landscape construction professional and landscape contracting business licenses are regulated by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB). Labor contractor licenses are regulated by the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI).

Local and regional requirements may also apply depending on where you work. For example, the Metro regional government administers a regional contractor’s business license for certain activities within the Portland metropolitan area. Cities and counties handle permitting and inspection processes and may require proof of your state license or regional registration when you pull permits for projects in places like Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, and Hillsboro.

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State-Level Licenses in Oregon

State-level licenses are issued by Oregon agencies and apply statewide. They include CCB contractor endorsements for residential and commercial work, BCD-issued individual electrician and plumber licenses, and certain specialty programs such as landscape contracting (LCB) and labor contracting (BOLI). The sections below summarize the key state-administered licenses by trade.

Trades with state-level licenses include Electrician, Plumbing, General Contractor, and Specialty (landscape contracting and labor contractor). Roofing is performed under a CCB contractor license rather than a separate roofing credential; a distinct statewide HVAC trade license is not listed here.

State-Level Electrician Licenses

State-Level Plumbing Licenses

State-Level General Contractor Licenses

State-Level Specialty Licenses

Electrician Licenses in Oregon

Individual electrician licensing is issued statewide by the Oregon Building Codes Division (see the State-Level Licenses section above). In addition to holding the appropriate state credential, contractors working in specific regions may encounter local business or registration requirements.

Local Licensing Requirements

Major Cities with Local Requirements:

• Metro Regional Government – Contractor’s Business License Program: Regional contractor business license for work within the Portland metropolitan area; verify applicability to your electrical business operations, insurance documentation, and any registration prerequisites directly with Metro. Registration information: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/apply-contractors-business-license

Note: Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm with your local building department before applying.

Plumbing Licenses in Oregon

Individual plumbing licenses are issued statewide by the Oregon Building Codes Division (see the State-Level Licenses section above). Where local or regional business registrations apply, you may need to complete those steps before permitting or inspection.

Local Licensing Requirements

Major Cities with Local Requirements:

• Metro Regional Government – Contractor’s Business License Program: Regional contractor business license for work within the Portland metropolitan area; verify whether your plumbing company must register with Metro and ensure insurance and documentation meet program standards. Registration information: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/apply-contractors-business-license

Note: Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm with your local building department before applying.

HVAC Licenses in Oregon

Most HVAC and mechanical work in Oregon is performed under a CCB contractor license paired with local mechanical permits, rather than a separate statewide HVAC occupational license. Confirm endorsement, bonding, and insurance requirements with the CCB, and verify permit, inspection, and any regional business registration steps with the local jurisdiction where you will work.

Local Licensing Requirements

Major Cities with Local Requirements:

• Metro Regional Government – Contractor’s Business License Program: Regional contractor business license that may be required for HVAC contractors operating in the Portland metropolitan area; confirm scope, documentation, and registration process with Metro. Registration information: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/apply-contractors-business-license

Note: Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm with your local building department before applying.

General Contractor Licenses in Oregon

Oregon licenses general contractors at the state level through the Construction Contractors Board (see the State-Level Licenses section above). Depending on where you operate, a local or regional business registration may also be required before permitting.

Local Licensing Requirements

Major Cities with Local Requirements:

• Metro Regional Government – Contractor’s Business License Program: Regional contractor business license for certain work in the Portland metropolitan area; general contractors should confirm whether their scope and project locations require this license and ensure all documentation meets Metro’s standards. Registration information: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/apply-contractors-business-license

Note: Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm with your local building department before applying.

Roofing Licenses in Oregon

Oregon does not issue a separate statewide roofing credential. Roofing contractors typically operate under a CCB contractor license with the appropriate residential or commercial endorsement and must comply with permitting and inspection requirements in the project jurisdiction.

Local Licensing Requirements

Major Cities with Local Requirements:

• Metro Regional Government – Contractor’s Business License Program: A regional contractor business license may be required for roofing firms performing work in the Portland metropolitan area; verify registration applicability, insurance documents, and renewal expectations with Metro. Registration information: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/apply-contractors-business-license

Note: Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm with your local building department before applying.

Specialty Trade Licenses in Oregon

Local and regional specialty requirements appear below. State-level specialty programs—such as landscape contracting (LCB) and labor contractors (BOLI)—are listed in the State-Level Licenses section above.

Application Process

1. Confirm that the work to be performed constitutes construction activity on real property that requires a CCB license under ORS 701.021, which generally includes anyone who undertakes or bids to do work as a contractor for compensation.[11][1]
2. Determine the appropriate contractor license and endorsement (residential or commercial; general or specialty; commercial level 1 or 2) as described in ORS 701.021 and CCB licensing guidance.[11][2]
3. Register the business entity and any assumed business name with the Oregon Secretary of State, if operating as a corporation, LLC, partnership, or similar entity.[1]
4. Designate a Responsible Managing Individual (RMI) who will complete at least 16 hours of CCB‑approved pre‑license training in Oregon contractor law and business practices.[1][37]
5. Have the RMI pass the Oregon contractor license exam administered by PSI; the exam is open‑book, typically 80 multiple‑choice questions, with a $60 exam fee paid to PSI and a passing score of 70%.[22][39][14]
6. Obtain the required CCB surety bond and general liability insurance in the amounts specified for the chosen endorsement, and secure workers’ compensation coverage if the business will have employees.[1][19]
7. Gather all required supporting documents, which may include proof of passing the contractor exam, bond with power of attorney, certificate of liability insurance, workers’ compensation certificate, business registration documents, and tax account numbers, as listed in CCB application instructions and FAQs.[1][10][28]
8. Submit the CCB license application online through the CCB application portal or by secure fax/mail, including the current license fee (e.g., $400 for a two‑year license) and all supporting documentation in a single packet.[1][10][38]
9. Monitor application status; online submissions can take approximately four weeks to process, while paper submissions may take six to eight weeks, assuming the application is complete.[1][10]
10. After license issuance, maintain bond and insurance, comply with contract and advertising requirements, obtain local building permits for projects as required by local jurisdictions, and renew the license every two years with any required continuing education.[1][19][30]

Timeline: Approximately 4–6 weeks for online CCB license applications and 6–8 weeks for paper applications after a complete packet is received, assuming the RMI has already completed training and passed the PSI exam.[1][10]

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Official Resources