Oregon General Contractor License: How to Apply

Do you need a general contractor license in Oregon?

Yes, you’ll need a general contractor license in Oregon if you want to receive compensation for construction activities involving improvements to real properties. 

The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) regulates licensing activities in the state. Examples of construction activities that require licensure are:

• Most construction and repair services
• Handyman services
• Manufactured dwelling installation
• Roofing
• Siding
• Painting
• Carpentry
• Floor covering
• Concrete
• Land development

Examples of activities that don’t require licensure are: 

• Cleaning gutters
• Cleaning siding, sidewalks, etc., with a power or pressure washer
• Cleaning up yard or construction site debris

See the extended list of activities that do and don’t require licensure on the CCB website.

Types of contractor licenses in Oregon

General contractor licenses are categorized by endorsement in Oregon. There are two main types of endorsement: Residential and Commercial. You can select either type endorsement or both, depending on the type of structures that you want to work on.

Structures can be:

• Residential, such as single-family homes, apartments or condos that are four stories or less, individual units in high-rise buildings, and manufactured dwellings
• Small commercial, such as convenience stores, gas stations, fast food restaurants, tenant space in malls, and other projects with a value of $250,000 or less
• Large commercial, such as apartments or condos that are over four stories, hospitals, parking garages, shopping malls, and manufacturing facilities

Within each type of endorsement, there are subtypes called classifications. There are four classifications of Residential endorsement:

There are five classifications of Restricted Residential endorsement:

And there are five classifications of Commercial endorsement:

See the CCB endorsement chart for more detailed information and specific insurance requirements for each classification.

Oregon general contractor license requirements

For most of the Oregon license classifications, you must qualify as a responsible managing individual (RMI) to be in charge of construction activities as a Residential or Commercial contractor. To do so, you need to: 

• Complete a pre-license training and pass the Oregon contractor exam, OR
• Pass the NASCLA national exam and pass the Oregon contractor exam

And while there are no work experience requirements to meet in Oregon before applying for a Residential endorsement for the first time, there are before applying for a Commercial general contractor (CGC1, CGC2) or specialty contractor (CSC1, CSC2) classification.

A business with Commercial general contractor or specialty contractor classifications must certify that one or more of its key employees (high-level people in a company like owners, managers, or superintendents who oversee the construction work) have the appropriate amount of construction experience: 

*Construction experience can come from working as a licensed contractor, journeyman, or supervisor or performing construction work under a licensed contractor. Alternatively, some work experience may be substituted by education:

• Up to three years for the completion of an apprenticeship program 
• Up to three years for the completion of a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field 
• Up to two years for the completion of a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in business, finance, or economics 
• Up to one year for the completion of an associate degree in construction or building management

Additionally, if you will be working on or renovating structures that contain lead-based paint, you will need to complete an approved training class and obtain a special Lead-Based Paint Renovation license.

How do I get a general contractor license in Oregon? (steps)

To get a Residential or Commercial contractor license in Oregon, applicants need to provide all the information outlined in the application: 

1. Personal applicant information
2. An assumed business name, if applicable
3. Employer account information, such as an Oregon Business Identification Number (BIN) and Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), if applicable
4. Endorsement selection
5. Proof of a surety bond in the appropriate amount
6. Proof of workers’ compensation insurance or an Exempt Workers Compensation Status Declaration (see this resource for help to determine who is exempt and non-exempt)
7. Proof of general liability insurance with the Construction Contractors Board is listed as the certificate holder
8. Designation of an RMI, if applicable, for the endorsement selected
9. Certification of experience for CGC1, CSC1, CGC2, and CSC2 endorsements, if applicable
10. Disclosure of any debts or criminal background
11. Payment of the relevant application fee

Submit your application and exam test score report by fax or mail it to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board at:

Regular Mail

P.O. Box 14140
Salem, OR 97309-5052

Priority Mail

201 High St. SE, Suite 600 
Salem, OR 97301

Oregon general contractor exam

To qualify for the Oregon Construction Contractors Board exam, you must be at least 18 years old. 

If you have already passed the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors, you can skip the pre-license training and jump straight to the Oregon-specific exam. Just send in a transcript of your NASCLA exam passage to the CCB. If you haven’t already passed the NASCLA exam, you’ll need to follow these steps: 

**The guide might be included in the pre-license training fee—remember to check with your training provider. You can also purchase the manual directly at NASCLA in English or Spanish.

Does Oregon reciprocate general contractor licenses?

Reciprocal license agreements let general contractors from other states apply directly for an equivalent license in Oregon.

Oregon does not offer reciprocity for out-of-state general contractors. However, it does have reciprocity agreements for electricians and plumbers. 

How much does a general contractor license cost in Oregon?

You can expect to pay between $460 and $945 for initial contractor licensing in Oregon. Here is a list of all the fees:

Remember, there are other costs associated with getting surety bonds and insurance policies, so include some room in your budget for extra expenses.

Renewing your general contractor license

Oregon contractor licenses must be renewed every two years and can be renewed up to eight weeks prior to their expiration date. But before you can renew a license, you must complete the following requirements for continuing education:

You can use the online CCB portal to renew your license and review and complete your continuing education requirements. For more information, see the CCB’s guide to renewing your license.

How to start a contracting business in Oregon

Starting your own business in Oregon is a great way to increase your income. The Oregon Secretary of State has published a handy guide to walk you through the process.

In the guide, you’ll find a checklist and some specific recommendations, including:

• Ensuring you have the knowledge and experience required for this business
• Drafting a business plan, securing financing, getting professional advice, and knowing about business assistance programs
• Selecting your business name and structure
• Registering your business
• Gathering federal, state, local, and property tax information
• Watching a video about licensing
• Reviewing information about hiring employees

Once you’re registered, there are few more things you’ll need to think about to truly set your business up for success:

• Pricing your services appropriately
• Securing financing and setting up an accounting system
• Finding the necessary equipment and product suppliers
• Setting up general contracting business software
• Generating leads for your general contractor business 

See our library of free contracting business resources for expert advice and templates you get you started.

Does a general contractor license in Oregon increase your earning potential?

Yes, getting a general contractor license in Oregon allows you to not only bid for potential work but also successfully collect monies due to you for completed work.

The average annual salary for general contractors in Oregon is around $125,000. But that salary can substantially increase alongside your expertise—the top earners in the state earn around $153,000. You also stand to earn even more than that if you open up your own general contracting business. To learn more about the ins and outs of being a contractor, check out our contractor resource hub.