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How to become a licensed general contractor in Oregon. State-level licensing required. Total initial fees: $400+. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
0 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$400+
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
Residential contractor license for Oregon. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
All residential construction requires licensure
Additional Requirements
Description
Commercial contractor license for Oregon. Covers construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Project Limit
All commercial construction requires licensure
Additional Requirements
Description
General contractor license/registration for Oregon. Covers a broad range of construction activities.
Project Limit
All construction requires licensure
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Oregon. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: General Contractor, Residential Contractor, Specialty Contractor.
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified0
Years Required
Not Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
No specific journeyman experience required
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
Oregon CCB exam administered by PSI. 80 questions, 70% passing score, open-book format. Exam fee $60. Topics include Oregon construction law, safety, and trade-specific content. The CCB exam is separate from the 16-hour RMI pre-license education requirement.
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
$20,000 per endorsement. Dual endorsement (Residential + Commercial) requires TWO separate $20,000 bonds ($40,000 total).
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
General liability insurance required per state regulations
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Oregon requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 1 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Effective July 2025 — increased from $325 | $400 |
Exam Fee PSI exam fee — separate from registration fee | $60 |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Renewal Fee Per 2 years — effective July 2025 | $400 |
Total Initial Fees Registration fee + exam fee ($60 via PSI). Effective July 2025. | $400+ |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$400
Per 2 years — effective July 2025
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
NASCLA exempts 16-hr pre-license course only (exam still required)
Transfer Details
Oregon is a NASCLA member state but with a key distinction: NASCLA accreditation exempts the 16-hour RMI pre-license education course, NOT the CCB exam. NASCLA holders still must pass the Oregon-specific exam. Oregon uses 'endorsement' terminology (Residential, Commercial, Developer) rather than license types.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Oregon $0 threshold — ALL contractors must be CCB-licensed. Fee increasing from $325 to $400 (July 2025). NASCLA exempts 16-hr pre-license course but NOT the exam. Dual endorsement = two $20K bonds ($40K total). Uses 'endorsement' not 'license type.'
Oregon requires ALL contractors to be licensed regardless of project value ($0 threshold).
Fee increase: $325 -> $400 effective July 2025.
16-hour RMI pre-license education course required (NASCLA exempts this course, NOT the exam).
CCB exam: PSI-administered, 80 questions, 70% passing, $60 exam fee, open-book.
Oregon uses 'endorsement' terminology: Residential, Commercial, Developer.
Dual endorsement (Residential + Commercial) requires TWO separate $20,000 surety bonds ($40,000 total).
Workers' compensation required for 1+ employees via Oregon DCBS.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 75 days after completion
Oregon construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 75 days after completion.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Oregon.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#4 of 51
Cost
#21 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$76,520
25th percentile
Median
$100,860
+28% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$127,910
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
9,450 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+4% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$100,860
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$97,320
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$100,860
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 8–22 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Oregon Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Oregon Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Oregon requires state-level contractor licensing. All licensing is managed through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.