OR · Reviewed 2026-10-07
Oregon licensing for homeowners
Board lookups, licence classes, contract rules, and the verification routine — sourced to state law and official registries.
- State
- Oregon
- Boards listed
- 4
- Licence classes
- 4
Verify with the board — last reviewed 2026-10-07
Who must be licensed in Oregon
Oregon requires almost everyone who advertises or performs construction for compensation to hold a licence from the Construction Contractors Board (CCB), with residential and commercial endorsement types and monetary limits on the licence record. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work also requires appropriate trade credentials or supervision under Oregon law. Verify CCB licence numbers on the CCB search portal before paying deposits on Portland remodels or Eugene additions — an Oregon business licence alone is not a construction contractor licence.
Licensing boards and lookups
| Authority | Scope | Lookup |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Construction Contractors Board 503-378-4621 | State construction contractor licences for residential and commercial work. | Verify licence → |
| Oregon Construction Contractors Board | Contractor licence verification; electrical worker licences through BCD programmes. | Verify licence → |
| Oregon Construction Contractors Board | Contractor licence verification; plumbing credentials through state licensing programmes. | Verify licence → |
| Oregon Construction Contractors Board | Contractor licence verification for HVAC and mechanical contracting. | Verify licence → |
Licence classes and what they authorize
Residential contractor — CCB residential endorsement
Residential construction and remodeling within licence limits.
Commercial contractor — CCB commercial endorsement
Commercial work within endorsement and monetary limits.
Home services contractor — Limited residential licence
Smaller residential scopes per CCB rules — confirm limits on the licence record.
Trade credentials — Electrical / plumbing licences
Regulated trade work in addition to or under a CCB-licensed business.
Verify a licence in about two minutes
- Search the CCB licence database at ccb.state.or.us by licence number.
- Confirm endorsement type (residential, commercial, home services) matches your project.
- Verify Active status, bond, and insurance on file with CCB.
- Match legal business name on the CCB record to your contract and insurance COI.
- Contact the local building department for permit requirements in Portland, Eugene, or Bend.
- Confirm trade credentials for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC scope on state licence tools when shown.
Insurance and bond minimums
CCB licensees must maintain a surety bond and general liability insurance filed with the board. Workers’ compensation is required when employees are on site. Request COIs from insurers.
Who issues permits
Oregon enforces the state building code through local building officials. CCB licences who may contract; cities and counties issue permits and inspections.
Homeowner permits — can you pull one, and should you
Owner-occupiers may obtain permits in many cities for work on their own home. Regulated trades require appropriate licences even when the owner holds the permit.
Deposits, cancellation rights, and liens
- Deposit rules
- Oregon’s Home Services Contractor Act and CCB rules limit deposits and require written contracts for many residential jobs — compare your payment schedule to current CCB consumer guidance.
- Rescission / cooling-off
- Home solicitation sales may include cancellation rights under Oregon law and the federal Cooling-Off Rule when applicable.
- Mechanic's lien timeline
- Oregon mechanic’s lien statutes (ORS Chapter 87) set notice and filing deadlines. Owners should use waiver forms at each payment.
CCB requires licence numbers in advertising and contracts for most construction work.
Where to file a complaint
File CCB complaints for unlicensed contracting, bond or insurance lapses, and contract violations. Permit issues go to the local building official. Consumer fraud may be reported to the Oregon Department of Justice.
File a complaint with the state →If you hire someone unlicensed
Unlicensed construction contracting violates Oregon law and can void CCB consumer protections, fail permits, and complicate insurance claims after water or seismic damage.
Which trades need a licence here
| Trade | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | State licence | Trade credentials plus CCB-licensed business for contracting. |
| Plumber | State licence | Trade credentials plus CCB-licensed business for contracting. |
| HVAC / refrigeration | State licence | Trade credentials plus CCB-licensed business for contracting. |
| General contractor / remodeler | State licence | CCB construction contractor licence required for most paid work. |
| Roofer | Varies | May be a dedicated roofing licence, a general building classification, or local registration only. |
| Carpenter / handyman | No individual licence | No individual trade licence in most states; scope limits and contractor registration still apply to the business pulling permits. |
Reciprocity
Oregon does not broadly reciprocate CCB licences. Out-of-state contractors must obtain Oregon CCB credentials before performing compensated construction work in Oregon.
Cities and counties with an extra layer
Portland, Eugene, Salem, and Bend add local business registration, energy code amendments, and short-term rental overlay rules beyond CCB licences.
Related guides
For contractors — getting and renewing a licence
Apply through CCB for the correct endorsement, pass required exams, and file bond and insurance. Renew on schedule and update endorsements when scope changes.
Trade-owner resources →Common questions — Oregon
Does Oregon require a contractor license for remodeling?
Where do I verify an Oregon contractor license?
What is the difference between residential and commercial CCB endorsements?
Who licenses electricians in Oregon?
Can I pull my own building permit in Oregon?
What deposit can an Oregon home services contractor collect?
How do mechanic's liens work in Oregon?
Does Oregon license HVAC contractors?
Are roofers licensed in Oregon?
What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor in Oregon?
How do I file a complaint against an Oregon contractor?
Do Portland remodels need extra city registration?
Sources
- Oregon CCB — Licence search
- Oregon Revised Statutes — Liens (Chapter 87)
- Oregon Department of Justice — Consumer protection
Content reviewed 2026-10-07. Statutes and board URLs were checked at publication; confirm current text on the official site before relying on it in a dispute.