Oregon general contractor license

1. Who needs a license

Contractors doing work under ORS 701 must be licensed by the CCB and carry the bond and insurance for their endorsement. (source: CCB License (insurance, bonds) (opens in a new tab))

2. General contractor license classes

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Experience and steps

1. Name an RMI A Responsible Managing Individual completes 16 hours of training and passes the CCB test for most endorsements. (source: CCB Guide to becoming a licensed contractor (opens in a new tab))
2. Commercial experience Commercial General or Specialty Level 1 needs 8 years of experience; Level 2 needs 4 years. (source: CCB Guide to becoming a licensed contractor (opens in a new tab))
3. Bond and insurance File the bond and liability insurance for your endorsement, including products and completed operations coverage. (source: CCB License (insurance, bonds) (opens in a new tab), source: CCB Licensing (bond increase) (opens in a new tab))

Exam

An exam is required. (source: CCB Guide to becoming a licensed contractor (opens in a new tab))

• CCB test, after 16 hours of training (source: CCB Guide to becoming a licensed contractor (opens in a new tab))

Bond

$25,000 bond required. Since 1 Jan 2024: Residential General $25,000, Specialty $20,000, Limited $15,000, Developer $25,000, restricted residential $15,000; Commercial General Level 1 $80,000, Specialty Level 1 $55,000, Level 2 $25,000. (source: CCB Licensing (bond increase) (opens in a new tab))

Insurance

• Workers' comp: Required as applicable (source: CCB License (insurance, bonds) (opens in a new tab))
• General liability: Residential General $500,000 per occurrence, Specialty $300,000, Limited $100,000. Commercial General Level 1 $2M aggregate, Level 2 $1M aggregate. (source: CCB License (insurance, bonds) (opens in a new tab))

Renewal

• Renew every 2 years. (source: CCB Guide to becoming a licensed contractor (opens in a new tab))

The license term is 2 years. (source: CCB Guide to becoming a licensed contractor (opens in a new tab))

4. How to look up a contractor

Check a license on the CCB website ↗ (official site, opens in a new tab)

How: Search the CCB license database and check the license is active and its endorsement (residential or commercial) fits your job. (source: CCB License (insurance, bonds) (opens in a new tab))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

We're still verifying this, check the official board: CCB website (opens in a new tab).

Use the reciprocity checker

6. Red flags when hiring

• A residential job by a contractor with only a commercial endorsement. (source: CCB Guide to becoming a licensed contractor (opens in a new tab))
• A lapsed bond or insurance. (source: CCB License (insurance, bonds) (opens in a new tab))

7. How to complain

We're still verifying this, check the official board: CCB website (opens in a new tab).