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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
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
- 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.
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.
Navigation
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
Highway prequalification — Oregon Department of Transportation
Electrical and plumbing licensing — Building Codes Division
Electrical and plumbing licensing — Building Codes Division
Asbestos abatement — Department of Environmental Quality
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
Lead abatement and drug lab cleanup — Oregon Health Authority
Non-highway public works — Department of Administrative Services
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
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
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)
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)
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)
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)
Asbestos Abatement (DEQ + CCB)
| License Type | Annual DEQ Fee |
|---|---|
| Contractor | $1,000 |
| Supervisor | $65 |
| Worker | $45 |
Electrical and Plumbing Contractors (Building Codes Division)
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
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
CCB Endorsements
Residential
- Residential General Contractor
- Residential Specialty Contractor
- Residential Limited Contractor
- Residential Developer
- Commercial General Contractor Level 1
- Commercial General Contractor Level 2
- Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1
- Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 2
- Commercial Developer
- 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
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 Business Contractor
- Boiler/Pressure Vessel Business Contractor
- Elevator Contractor, Electrical
- Elevator Contractor, Mechanical
- 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
DEQ and OHA
Asbestos Abatement (DEQ)
- Asbestos Abatement Contractor
- Certified Supervisor for Asbestos Abatement
- Certified Worker for Asbestos Abatement
- Firm
- Supervisor
- Worker
- LBPA Firm Certificate
- Inspector
- Project Designer
- Risk Assessor
- Supervisor
- Worker
- Renovation Firm Certificate (non-CCB entities)
See also
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.
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.