How to get a general contractor license in Oregon

Licensing office Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) · (503) 378-4621 [1]

The license pathway in Oregon

1. 1

   Construction worker or apprentice (employee)

   People who work as employees of a contractor are exempt from CCB licensing. Carpentry apprenticeships registered with BOLI add classes to paid work, and completing one can count toward commercial experience. [2][3][4]

2. 2

   Residential general contractor (RGC)

   • 16 hours of pre-license training
   • Yes, 80 questions, open book, 3 hours, 70% to pass
   • $400 application (two-year license); $60 exam
   • Every 2 years; $400; 8 hours CE

   May supervise, arrange for or perform any number of unrelated building trades on residential or small commercial structures. Needs a $25,000 residential bond and $500,000 per occurrence liability insurance. [1][2][3]

3. 3

   Commercial general contractor Level 2 (CGC2)

   • 4 years of experience
   • 16 hours of pre-license training
   • Yes, same CCB exam
   • $400 application (two-year license)
   • Every 2 years; key employees complete 16 hours of CE a year

   May supervise, arrange for or perform any number of unrelated trades on small or large commercial projects. Key employees must have a combined 4 years of construction experience. Needs a $25,000 commercial bond and $1 million aggregate insurance. [1][2][3]

4. 4

   Commercial general contractor Level 1 (CGC1)

   • 8 years of experience
   • 16 hours of pre-license training
   • Yes, same CCB exam
   • $400 application (two-year license)
   • Every 2 years; key employees complete 40 hours of CE a year (less for small firms)

   Same work as Level 2, with 8 years of combined key-employee experience, an $80,000 commercial bond and $2 million aggregate insurance. [1][2][3]

Who needs a CCB license

Oregon law generally requires anyone who works for pay in construction that improves real property to be licensed by the Construction Contractors Board, including roofers, painters, carpenters, handymen and HVAC, electrical and plumbing businesses. Exemptions include employees of a contractor and casual, minor work under $1,000 on one project by someone who doesn't advertise as a contractor.

Electricians and plumbers also need their individual trade licenses from the Building Codes Division; see the Oregon electrician and Oregon plumber pages. [1][2]

Endorsements: residential vs. commercial

Your endorsement depends on the structures you'll work on. A residential endorsement covers homes and small commercial structures; a commercial endorsement covers small and large commercial projects. If you work on homes and large commercial buildings, you need both, with two bonds and one insurance policy at the higher amount.

• Residential general contractor: any number of unrelated trades; $25,000 bond, $500,000 per occurrence insurance.
• Residential specialty contractor: one or two unrelated trades; $20,000 bond, $300,000 insurance.
• Residential limited contractor: part-time work under $40,000 a year and $5,000 a job; $15,000 bond, $100,000 insurance.
• Commercial general contractor Level 1 / Level 2: 8 / 4 years of key-employee experience; $80,000 / $25,000 bond; $2 million / $1 million aggregate insurance.

Key employees are owners or employees such as officers, managers, superintendents or forepersons. Experience can come from work as a licensed contractor, journeyman, foreperson, supervisor or other construction employee; an apprenticeship or a construction degree can substitute for part of it. [1][3]

The training and exam

The RMI must complete at least 16 hours of pre-license training and pass the Oregon exam, which is based on the Oregon version of the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management. It's open book: 80 multiple-choice questions, 70% (56 correct) to pass, three hours, $60, and you get your score right away. If you fail, you can reschedule, pay and test again.

If you've passed the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors, you can skip the 16-hour course but still must pass the Oregon exam. [1]

Fees, renewal and continuing education

The application fee is $400 for a two-year license (since July 1, 2025), and renewal is $400 every two years. Residential contractors complete 8 hours of continuing education each two-year period, 3 of them on laws, regulations and business practices; state law adds 8 more hours if you were "not licensed by the board as a residential contractor during any part of the six-year period" before renewal, so confirm with the CCB whether that applies to you. Commercial contractors' key employees complete 16 hours a year (Level 2) or 40 hours a year (Level 1, or 8 hours per key employee for firms with four or fewer). [1][2]

If you're licensed in another state

The CCB doesn't list reciprocity agreements on its licensing page. Its one shortcut: if you've passed the NASCLA commercial general building exam, you skip the 16-hour training but still take the Oregon exam. [1]

Steps to get licensed in Oregon

1. Complete the 16-hour training and pass the exam

   Your RMI takes training from an approved pre-license provider, then schedules the CCB exam with PSI. Apply for your license within 24 months of passing. [1]

2. Pick your endorsement

   Choose residential, commercial or both. Commercial endorsements require key employees with 4 or 8 years of experience. [1][3]

3. Get your bond and insurance

   Buy a surety bond on the CCB form and a general liability policy naming the CCB as certificate holder. Get workers' compensation if you'll have employees. [1]

4. Apply online

   Submit the application with the bond, insurance certificate, exam results, signatures form and $400 fee. Processing can take six to eight weeks. [1]

5. Renew every two years

   Pay $400 and complete the continuing education for your endorsement. [1][2]

Where to get the hours

Programs that train general contractors in or for Oregon, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.

• State program

  BOLI Apprenticeship and Training Division: carpenter programs

  Oregon's apprenticeship agency lists the registered carpenter programs around the state, with contacts and whether they are taking applications. [5]

• Other

  Oregon/Columbia Carpenters JATC (Portland)

  A BOLI-registered carpenter apprenticeship of 8,000 hours; BOLI lists the Northwest College of Construction (NWCOC), a school founded by contractor associations (ABC, AGC, the Portland home builders and utility contractors), as its contact. Applicants must be 18 and meet its education rule. [6][7][8]

• Other

  BOLI pre-apprenticeship programs

  Short programs (typically 6 to 8 weeks) that teach basic skills and help you apply to a registered apprenticeship. [9]

Licensed in another state?

Questions people ask