Oregon

Oregon regulates virtually every aspect of residential and commercial construction at the state level. The Construction Contractors Board (CCB) manages the primary licensing system through an endorsement model that distinguishes between residential and commercial work — and within commercial, between two tiers based on experience and bonding. Separate agencies handle electrical and plumbing licensing, highway prequalification, asbestos, lead abatement, and drug lab cleanup.

Always verify statutes, fees, and application details with the live regulator before making bidding, licensing, or legal decisions.

At a glance

The fastest way to orient yourself in Oregon is to know the endorsement tiers, the pre-license training requirement, and where the exemptions sit.

Signal	Value
General licensing trigger	Nearly all residential and commercial construction requires a CCB license
Pre-license requirement	16 hours of business and law training + state exam (new businesses)
Application and renewal fee (all endorsements)	$325
Commercial General L1 bond / insurance	$80,000 bond; $2,000,000 aggregate insurance
Commercial General L2 bond / insurance	$25,000 bond; $1,000,000 aggregate insurance
Highway prequalification fee	$200 (2-year duration)
Public works bonding	10% bid bond + 100% performance bond
Exemptions	Federal property; owner-occupied without intent to sell
Reciprocity model	Building Codes Division (electrical/plumbing by trade); CCB accepts NASCLA exam in lieu of pre-license training

Frequently asked questions

Pick the tab that matches your situation. Each FAQ gives a direct answer and points you to the full detail below.

Contractors
Regulators

How do I get a contractor license through the Oregon CCB?

Apply to the Construction Contractors Board for the appropriate endorsement (residential or commercial). New businesses must complete 16 hours of business and law training and pass a state exam first (unless you hold a NASCLA exam). Application and renewal fees are $325 for all endorsements. You must post a bond and carry liability insurance. See Requirements.

Does Oregon require separate licensing for plumbing, electrical, and specialty work?

Yes. Electrical and plumbing contractors need a Building Codes Division license in addition to their CCB license. Asbestos abatement requires a DEQ license plus CCB. Lead abatement and drug lab cleanup require OHA certification plus CCB. See Construction work regulated.

What types of work are exempt from Oregon's contractor licensing?

Work on federal property and work done by owners on their own properties without intent to sell are exempt from CCB licensing requirements. See Construction work regulated.

Where do I go to get licensed in Oregon?

CCB is at 201 High Street SE, Suite 600, Salem, OR 97301. Building Codes Division handles electrical and plumbing. ODOT handles highway prequalification. DEQ handles asbestos. OHA handles lead and drug lab. See Who regulates construction.

How much does it cost to get licensed?

All CCB endorsement application and renewal fees are $325. ODOT highway prequalification is $200 for two years. Lead certification is $150 to $255 for 3 years. Asbestos contractor license is $1,000 annually from DEQ. See Requirements.

What are the bonding and insurance requirements?

Commercial General L1: $80,000 bond, $2,000,000 aggregate insurance. Commercial General L2: $25,000 bond, $1,000,000 aggregate insurance. Commercial Specialty L1: $55,000 bond, $1,000,000 insurance. Commercial Specialty L2: $25,000 bond, $500,000 insurance. Workers’ compensation is required for all employers. See Requirements.

Can I use my out-of-state license in Oregon?

CCB does not offer reciprocity, but NASCLA exam holders can skip the 16-hour pre-license training and proceed to the state exam. The Building Codes Division has reciprocity for general journeyman electricians (7 states) and journeyman plumbers (2 states). See Reciprocal agreements.

What is the difference between Commercial L1 and L2?

L1 requires 8 years of experience and an $80,000 bond (general) or $55,000 (specialty). L2 requires 4 years and a $25,000 bond. Both are unlimited endorsements for general contractors. See Requirements.

Does Oregon require a license for roofing work?

Yes. Roofing is covered under CCB’s endorsement system. Depending on the type, you would need a residential or commercial endorsement. The specific level (L1 or L2) depends on experience and bonding capacity. See Types of licenses.

Does Oregon require a license for residential work?

Yes. Nearly all residential construction requires a CCB license with a residential endorsement. Options include General (unlimited trades), Specialty (up to 2 trades per job), Limited (capped by gross sales), and Developer. See Requirements.

What continuing education is required?

Commercial contractors need 16 to 80 hours every 2 years (based on key employees times 16, max 80). Commercial L2 needs 32 hours. Residential contractors building new structures must offer a written warranty. See Requirements.

How broadly does Oregon regulate construction at the state level?

Oregon is one of the most comprehensively regulated states. Nearly all residential and commercial construction requires a CCB license. Seven agencies share oversight: CCB, Building Codes Division, ODOT, DEQ, OHA, DAS. See Construction work regulated.

What is the CCB's role vs. separate licensing bodies?

CCB handles general and specialty contractor licensing through its endorsement system. The Building Codes Division separately licenses electrical and plumbing contractors (no exam or experience for the business license). DEQ handles asbestos, OHA handles lead and drug lab, and ODOT handles highway prequalification. See Who regulates construction.

How does Oregon's highway prequalification process work?

ODOT requires a $200 filing fee, valid for 2 years. Applications must be received at least 10 calendar days before bid opening. Contractors must be prequalified in the work classes designated in the project’s special provisions. Public works require a 10% bid bond plus 100% performance bond. See Requirements.

How does Oregon's endorsement model compare to other states?

Oregon’s tiered endorsement system (residential vs. commercial, L1 vs. L2) creates granular barriers based on experience and bonding capacity. This is more nuanced than states with a single license type. The 7-agency split adds routing complexity. See Requirements.

What are the fees across endorsement types?

All CCB endorsements are $325 for application and renewal. Bond requirements range from $25,000 to $80,000. ODOT prequalification is $200. DEQ asbestos is $1,000 annually. OHA lead certification is $150 to $255. See Requirements.

What license classifications does Oregon use?

CCB endorsements include Residential (General, Specialty, Limited, Developer) and Commercial (General L1/L2, Specialty L1/L2, Developer). Building Codes Division has electrical, plumbing, boiler, and elevator contractor types. DEQ and OHA have specialty certifications. See Types of licenses.

How does reciprocity work in Oregon?

CCB has no reciprocity but accepts NASCLA exam in lieu of pre-license training. Building Codes Division has reciprocity for journeyman electricians (7 states: AR, ID, ME, MT, UT, WA, WY) and supervising electricians (2 states: AR, UT). Journeyman plumbers have reciprocity with Idaho and Montana. See Reciprocal agreements.

What exam requirements exist?

CCB requires 16 hours of pre-license business and law training plus a state exam for new businesses. NASCLA exam holders skip the training. Building Codes Division does not require business exams. OHA requires qualifying exams for lead inspectors/assessors/supervisors. See Requirements.

What are the renewal cycles?

CCB endorsements renew biennially. ODOT prequalification is valid for 2 years. Building Codes Division has its own renewal cycles. DEQ asbestos is annual. OHA lead is every 3 years. Drug lab licenses renew in even years. See Requirements.

How does Oregon compare to neighboring Western states?

Oregon is among the most comprehensively regulated: 7 agencies, mandatory pre-license training, tiered endorsements. This is more complex than Washington (registration-based), Montana (light registration), or Idaho (layered model). The bond range ($25,000 to $80,000) is notable. See Licensing thresholds.

Start with your goal

Pick the card that matches what you need right now. Each one links to the relevant section on this page.

Is licensure triggered?

Start with work type and endorsement level — Oregon licenses nearly all construction.

Find the right regulator

Use the regulator directory to route your question to the correct Oregon agency.

Application and renewal details

Exams, fees, bonds, insurance, and continuing education for each endorsement tier.

Reciprocity direction

Building Codes Division reciprocity for electrical and plumbing; CCB accepts NASCLA exam.

Special considerations

Different roles need different things from an Oregon page. Use the tab that matches your situation to see what matters most before you read the full detail below.

Contractors
Regulators

Start with your endorsement type. Oregon’s CCB system splits residential from commercial work, and commercial into two experience-and-bonding tiers.

All new businesses must complete 16 hours of business and law training and pass a state exam before applying — unless you have passed the NASCLA Accredited Examination.
Commercial General L1 requires 8 years of experience and an $80,000 bond; L2 requires 4 years and a $25,000 bond.
All endorsement application and renewal fees are $325.
Electrical and plumbing contractors need a Building Codes Division license in addition to their CCB license.
Highway prequalification is a separate ODOT gate with a $200 filing fee, valid for two years.
Employers must carry workers’ compensation. All contractors must post a bond and carry liability insurance.

Readiness checklist

Five things you need to confirm before you can treat Oregon as “ready” for a bid or an application. If any of these are unclear, you are not ready yet.

Choose the right endorsement

Determine whether you need a residential or commercial endorsement, and if commercial, whether Level 1 or Level 2. Specialty and developer endorsements are also available.

Complete pre-license training

New businesses must complete 16 hours of business and law training and pass the state exam. NASCLA exam holders may skip the training and proceed directly to the state exam.

Confirm bond and insurance levels

Bond requirements range from $25,000 to $80,000 depending on endorsement. Insurance ranges from $500,000 per occurrence to $2,000,000 aggregate.

Route to all required agencies

Oregon has seven agencies. Electrical and plumbing work requires a Building Codes Division license in addition to CCB. Asbestos, lead, and drug lab work require DEQ or OHA credentials.

Confirm the full requirement set

Verify experience years, bond amount, insurance level, CE hours, workers’ compensation, and renewal cycle for every endorsement and agency involved.

If you can identify endorsement level, pre-license status, bond and insurance amounts, agency routing, and full requirement set, you have the minimum package needed for an Oregon readiness check.

Use these links to jump to related cross-state comparisons and workflows.

New state evaluation if you are screening Oregon for the first time.
Multi-state bid readiness if you need to compare Oregon with nearby jurisdictions.
Licensing thresholds or prequalification patterns for cross-state context.

Construction work regulated

Oregon is one of the most comprehensively regulated states. Nearly all construction work triggers a licensing requirement. The key variables are endorsement type and whether the work also involves a separately licensed trade.

Work lane	What triggers regulation
Residential construction	CCB license with residential endorsement required
Commercial construction	CCB license with commercial endorsement (Level 1 or Level 2) required
Electrical work	Building Codes Division license required (in addition to CCB)
Plumbing work	Building Codes Division license required (in addition to CCB)
Asbestos abatement	DEQ license + CCB license required
Lead abatement	OHA certification + CCB license required
Drug lab cleanup	OHA certification + CCB license required
Highway construction	ODOT prequalification required
Other public works	Department of Administrative Services; 10% bid bond + 100% performance bond

Work on federal property and work done by owners on their own properties without intent to sell are exempt from CCB licensing requirements.

Common determination scenarios

If you are trying to figure out where to start, expand the scenario that is closest to your situation.

Residential general contractor

Apply to CCB for a Residential General Contractor endorsement. Complete 16 hours of pre-license training and the state exam (or hold a NASCLA exam). No restrictions on number of trades for residential structures, zero-lot-line dwellings, or small commercial structures.

Commercial general contractor

Choose between Level 1 (8 years experience, $80,000 bond, $2,000,000 insurance) and Level 2 (4 years experience, $25,000 bond, $1,000,000 insurance). Both are unlimited endorsements — no restriction on number of trades. Application and renewal fee is $325.

Commercial specialty subcontractor

Apply for a Commercial Specialty Contractor endorsement (L1 or L2). You can perform up to two trades per job, per year. L1 requires 8 years of experience and a $55,000 bond; L2 requires 4 years and a $25,000 bond.

Electrical or plumbing contractor

You need two licenses: a CCB license with the appropriate endorsement, and a separate Building Codes Division contractor license. The Building Codes Division does not require the business to pass an exam or document experience — individual licensing is separate.

Asbestos, lead, or drug lab cleanup

Route to DEQ (asbestos) or OHA (lead, drug lab) for the specialty certification, and also obtain a CCB license. Each program has its own training, exam, and fee requirements.

Out-of-state contractor seeking reciprocity

CCB does not offer reciprocity. However, if you have passed the NASCLA Accredited Examination, you are exempt from the 16-hour pre-license training and can proceed directly to the state business and law exam. Electrical and plumbing reciprocity is handled by the Building Codes Division for specific states.

Who regulates construction

Oregon splits construction regulation across seven agencies. Each one owns a distinct work lane. Use this directory to find the right contact.

General contractor licensing — Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB)

201 High Street SE, Suite 600, Salem, OR 97301 (P.O. Box 14140, Salem, OR 97309-5052)Phone: (503) 378-4621 | Fax: (503) 373-2155Website: oregon.gov/CCB

Highway prequalification — Oregon Department of Transportation

355 Capitol Street NE, MS #3-3, Salem, OR 97301Phone: (503) 986-2710Website: oregon.gov/ODOT

Electrical and plumbing licensing — Building Codes Division

P.O. Box 14470, Salem, OR 97309-0404Phone: (503) 378-4133Website: oregon.gov/dcbs

Asbestos abatement — Department of Environmental Quality

700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 600, Portland, OR 97232-4100Phone: (503) 229-5982Website: oregon.gov/deq

Lead abatement and drug lab cleanup — Oregon Health Authority

800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 640, Portland, OR 97232Phone: (971) 673-0440 | Fax: (971) 673-0457Website: healthoregon.org/lead (lead) · healthoregon.org/druglab (drug lab)

Non-highway public works — Department of Administrative Services

155 Cottage Street NE, U20, Salem, OR 97301-3972Phone: (503) 378-3104 | Fax: (503) 373-7642Website: oregon.gov/DAS

Requirements

Oregon’s requirements vary significantly by endorsement level and specialty program. Expand the category that applies to your situation.

CCB Commercial Endorsements

All commercial endorsements share a $325 application and renewal fee. Bond, insurance, and experience requirements vary by level.

Requirement	General L1	General L2	Specialty L1	Specialty L2	Developer
Bond	$80,000	$25,000	$55,000	$25,000	$25,000
Insurance	$2,000,000 aggregate	$1,000,000 aggregate	$1,000,000 aggregate	$500,000 per occurrence	$500,000 per occurrence
Experience	8 years	4 years	8 years	4 years	None
CE (every 2 years)	16–80 hours	32 hours	16–80 hours	32 hours	None
Workers’ compensation	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required

Commercial CE hours are based on the number of key employees × 16 hours, with a maximum of 80 hours every two years. Commercial General L1 contractors building new large structures must provide a two-year building-envelope warranty.

CCB Residential Endorsements

Residential endorsements also carry the $325 application and renewal fee. The key differences are trade restrictions and sales caps.

Requirement	Detail
Pre-license training	16 hours business and law + state exam (waived for NASCLA exam holders)
Endorsement types	General (unlimited trades), Specialty (up to 2 trades per job), Limited (capped by gross sales and contract amount), Developer
Workers’ compensation	Required for employers
Warranty	Contractors building new residential structures must offer a written warranty against defects in materials and workmanship

Highway Prequalification (ODOT)

Requirement	Detail
Filing fee	$200
Duration	2 years
Timing	Application must be received at least 10 calendar days before the bid opening
Work-type qualification	Must be prequalified in the class(es) of work designated in the project’s special provisions
Public works bonding	10% bid bond (cashier’s or certified check) + 100% performance bond

Lead-Based Paint Activities (OHA + CCB)

License Type	3-Year OHA Certification Fee	Annual CCB License Fee
Inspectors, Risk Assessors, Supervisors, Project Designers	$255	$50
Abatement Workers	$150	$25
Lead-Based Paint Activities Firms	$255	$50
Renovation Firms (non-licensed contractors)	$250	N/A
Renovation Firms (licensed contractors)	N/A	$50

Inspectors, risk assessors, and supervisors must also pass a remotely proctored qualifying exam administered by OHA. Federal and state law requires certification for all renovation of “target housing” (pre-1978) or “child-occupied facilities.”

Drug Lab Cleanup (OHA + CCB)

Requirement	Detail
Contractor license fee	$500 (odd years, 1-year license) or $1,000 (even years, 2-year license)
Training fee	$250 per person (initial 2-day training including OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER)
Exam fee	$100
Refresher training	$100 per person, required every other year
Renewal cycle	All licenses renewed in even years for a two-year period; licenses expire June 30
CCB requirement	Contractor firms must also be licensed, insured, and bonded general contractors through CCB

Asbestos Abatement (DEQ + CCB)

License Type	Annual DEQ Fee
Contractor	$1,000
Supervisor	$65
Worker	$45

Contractors must submit an annual application to DEQ and also hold a CCB license. Individual certification as a supervisor or worker is required.

Electrical and Plumbing Contractors (Building Codes Division)

The Building Codes Division does not require contractors or businesses to pass an examination or provide experience documentation for the business license. Individual journeyman and supervisory licensing is handled separately.Applicants must also hold a valid CCB license (OAR 918-030-0015).

Reciprocal agreements

Oregon’s reciprocity landscape is split between two agencies. The Building Codes Division maintains trade-specific agreements for electricians and plumbers. The CCB does not offer reciprocity but provides an alternative path for NASCLA exam holders.

The Building Codes Division will accept a reciprocal license only from a reciprocating state in which the applicant has tested. CCB does not recognize reciprocity with any state, but NASCLA exam holders can skip the 16-hour pre-license training.

Trade	Reciprocal states	Coverage
General Journeyman Electrician (J)	Arkansas, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Utah, Washington, Wyoming	7 states
General Supervising Electrician (S)	Arkansas, Utah	2 states
Journeyman Plumber (JP)	Idaho, Montana	2 states
Construction contractors (CCB)	None — NASCLA exam exempts pre-license training only	Limited

Drug lab cleanup reciprocity

OHA may provide reciprocal licensure for contractors licensed in another state, and reciprocal certification for supervisors and workers trained and certified elsewhere, if standards and training are substantially equivalent. Applications are subject to review and approval by the Division (see OHA 333-040-0190).

Types of licenses

Oregon’s credential categories span three agencies. Use this section to confirm the exact license or endorsement name for an application or comparison.

CCB Endorsements

Residential

Residential General Contractor
Residential Specialty Contractor
Residential Limited Contractor
Residential Developer

Commercial

Commercial General Contractor Level 1
Commercial General Contractor Level 2
Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1
Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 2
Commercial Developer

Specialty and Certifications

Certified Home Inspector
Certified Locksmith Inspector
Licensed Lead-Based Paint Renovation Contractor
Licensed Lead-Based Paint Activities Contractor
Home Services Contractor
Residential Locksmith Services Contractor
Home Inspector Services Contractor
Home Energy Performance Score Contractor
Residential Restoration Contractor
Construction Flagging Contractor

Building Codes Division

Electrical

Electrical Contractor
Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor
Limited Pump Installation Specialty Contractor
Limited Energy Contractor
Limited Renewable Energy Contractor
Restricted Energy Contractor
Limited Sign Contractor
Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor HVAC/R

Plumbing and Boiler

Plumbing Business Contractor
Boiler/Pressure Vessel Business Contractor

Elevator

Elevator Contractor, Electrical
Elevator Contractor, Mechanical

Combination

Plumbing and Boiler Business Contractor
Plumbing and Boiler Business, and Restricted Energy Contractor
Plumbing Business and Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor
Plumbing Business and Limited Pump Installation Specialty Contractor
Elevator Electrical and Elevator Mechanical Contractor

DEQ and OHA

Asbestos Abatement (DEQ)

Asbestos Abatement Contractor
Certified Supervisor for Asbestos Abatement
Certified Worker for Asbestos Abatement

Drug Lab Cleanup (OHA)

Firm
Supervisor
Worker

Lead-Based Paint (OHA)

LBPA Firm Certificate
Inspector
Project Designer
Risk Assessor
Supervisor
Worker
Renovation Firm Certificate (non-CCB entities)

West region guide

Browse all West jurisdictions for comparison.

Contractors guide

Cross-state guidance for contractors evaluating new jurisdictions.

Regulators guide

Cross-state guidance for comparing regulatory models and agency structures.

Neighboring jurisdictions with reciprocity ties:

Idaho

Building Codes Division reciprocity for journeyman electricians and plumbers.

Washington

Building Codes Division reciprocity for general journeyman electricians.

Montana

Building Codes Division reciprocity for journeyman electricians and plumbers.

Start Here

Northeast

South

Midwest

West

Territories and DC

At a glance

Frequently asked questions

Start with your goal

Is licensure triggered?

Find the right regulator

Application and renewal details

Reciprocity direction

Special considerations

Readiness checklist

Navigation

Construction work regulated

Common determination scenarios

Who regulates construction

Requirements

Reciprocal agreements

Types of licenses

See also

West region guide

Contractors guide

Regulators guide

Idaho

Washington

Montana

​At a glance

​Frequently asked questions

​Start with your goal

Is licensure triggered?

Find the right regulator

Application and renewal details

Reciprocity direction

​Special considerations

​Readiness checklist

​Navigation

​Construction work regulated

​Common determination scenarios

​Who regulates construction

​Requirements

​Reciprocal agreements

​Types of licenses

​See also

West region guide

Contractors guide

Regulators guide

Idaho

Washington

Montana

At a glance

Frequently asked questions

Start with your goal

Special considerations

Readiness checklist

Navigation

Construction work regulated

Common determination scenarios

Who regulates construction

Requirements

Reciprocal agreements

Types of licenses

See also