Oregon contractor licenses: the CCB covers most trades, and four other agencies cover the rest

Oregon licenses more home-service work than most states, and it does it through one big agency. This page lays out who needs what as of October 2026, which agency issues it, and which jobs stay unlicensed. It is general information, not legal advice. Confirm every point with the agency before you bid.

For the company side (LLC, taxes, insurance) see our Oregon startup page. For how other states compare, see the licensing boards by state table and our national guide to getting a contractor license.

What does the Construction Contractors Board license?

The CCB says Oregon law generally requires anyone who works for compensation in any construction activity that improves real property to be licensed. Its list of work that needs a license includes roofing, siding, painting, carpentry, floor covering, concrete, heating and air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, tree servicing, home inspection, chimney sweeps, repair of attached appliances, and handyman work.

The statute behind it, ORS 701.021, goes further than doing the work. A person who undertakes, offers to undertake or bids on contractor work must hold a current CCB license. A quote you hand a customer is already covered.

Oregon sets the license by endorsement, and each one carries its own bond and insurance, per the CCB's fee and endorsement pages:

The Residential Limited endorsement is for contractors who expect under $40,000 in gross annual sales, do not contract for work over $5,000, and keep work at any job site to $5,000 a year, according to the CCB's endorsement chart. A crew that outgrows that needs a specialty or general endorsement. Our surety bond guide explains what the bond does and does not cover.

What does it take to get the license?

The CCB lists a $400 application fee for applications received on or after July 1, 2025, and the license runs two years with a $400 renewal. You complete 16 hours of pre-license training from an approved provider, and the person who completes it becomes the Responsible Managing Individual. The applicant must be at least 18. The state exam costs $60, has 80 multiple-choice questions, is open-book, allows three hours, and needs 56 correct answers (70 percent) to pass.

The CCB lists processing at 6 to 8 weeks. Do not promise start dates to customers before the license number exists.

What is exempt from CCB licensing?

The CCB says it does not require a license for gutter cleaning, yard or job-site debris cleanup, or power and pressure washing for the purpose of cleaning. That is why a cleaning-only washing company can run without a CCB number. The moment the job turns into repair, such as replacing siding boards, you are doing licensed work.

Oregon's small-job exemption is narrow. ORS 701.010 exempts work on one structure or project that is casual, minor or inconsequential and where the total price of all your contracts for labor, materials and everything else is under $1,000. It does not apply to a person who advertises or puts out any sign, card or other device that suggests they are a contractor. A handyman with a website and truck lettering is advertising.

Does Oregon require the license number in advertising?

Yes. The CCB's contractor tools page says contractors must include the CCB license number on everything from business cards to site signs, and it names websites and other advertising. It says failing to provide the number can bring a fine of up to $400 under OAR 812-003-0120. Put "CCB #" and your number in your website footer and on every estimate. See our website service if you want that built in once.

Which trades add a second state license?

Electrical and plumbing contractors need two licenses. The Building Codes Division says electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and manufactured dwelling installers must hold its license along with the CCB license. Its permit system lists the three license types as Electrical Contractor (C), Plumbing Contractor (PB) and the CCB license, and mechanical permits are listed under the CCB license. The page lists no separate Building Codes Division license for heating and cooling, so confirm with the CCB before assuming HVAC needs more than its license.

Solar has its own narrow path. The Limited Renewable Energy Contractor license (CLR) requires an active CCB license and a full-time renewable energy technician on staff, covers installations up to 25 kva and 600 volts nominal, needs no exam, and lists a $375 fee with renewal every three years, according to the state's license directory. Larger work needs a full electrical contractor license.

Is landscaping licensed in Oregon?

Construction landscaping is. Maintenance is not. The Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) says landscape maintenance is not regulated by the state, though a city or county may have its own rules. That covers mowing, edging, small shrub and tree pruning, weeding, refreshing bark mulch, and adjusting sprinkler heads or programming controllers.

Things the LCB does license:

• Tree planting needs an LCB license. A CCB license alone is not enough.
• Tree removal, stump grinding and limb guying need an LCB or CCB license.
• Arranging and contracting for installation work needs an LCB or CCB license.

The LCB also carves out a small allowance for maintenance customers: up to $500 in labor and materials per job site per year, only for existing maintenance customers, never advertised, and covering things like replacing shrubs or up to three sprinkler heads. New walkways and new edging are outside it. Our landscaping startup guide covers the business side.

When does a pesticide application need a state license?

The Oregon Department of Agriculture requires a license before you apply or supervise any pesticide on someone else's property, and before you run a business that advertises pesticide application. A Commercial Applicator works for a licensed Commercial Operator, and the operator license is the business license and requires insurance. Lawn and ornamental work falls under the Ornamental and Turf category, and the other categories include Industrial, Institution, Health and Structural for pest control.

ODA lists one maintenance exemption, and it has five conditions that all must hold: no pesticide use in ads or contracts, small residential lawns or gardens only, no restricted use pesticides, no fuel or electric sprayers or spreaders, and no school campuses. A powered sprayer or spreader takes you outside it. See our pest control license guide for the national picture.

What about painting and lead-safe rules?

Painters need a CCB license. Work that disturbs more than 6 square feet of painted surface per room inside, or 20 square feet outside, triggers the CCB's lead-based paint rules, including 8-hour renovation, repair and painting training for at least one owner or employee, per the CCB's specialty licenses page. See our painting startup guide.

Which inspection and septic jobs have their own licenses?

Home inspectors are certified by the CCB, not licensed by a separate board. To become an Oregon Certified Home Inspector you must pass the National Home Inspector Exam (200 questions, four hours), document at least 20 qualifying points of education and experience, and tie the certification to an active CCB license. Renewal needs 30 hours of continuing education every two years, and the certification number must appear on reports, bids, contracts and business cards. See the home inspection guide.

Septic work belongs to the Department of Environmental Quality. Its Sewage Disposal Service license comes as installer only, pumper only, or combined. Pumper-only needs a $5,000 surety bond, installer and combined need $15,000, pumpers need a vehicle inspection by a local onsite program agent, and licenses run up to three years and expire on June 30.

What stays unlicensed, and what do you still need?

Pressure washing for cleaning, gutter cleaning, debris hauling, mowing and routine maintenance have no state trade license. You still need to form the business correctly. Oregon has no general sales or use tax, per the Department of Revenue, so you do not register to collect sales tax on these services. Oregon generally requires workers' compensation coverage once you have a subject worker on payroll, with limited exemptions, so confirm with the Workers' Compensation Division before your first hire. Cover liability insurance regardless, because customers and property managers will ask. Our contractor insurance guide explains the policies.

If an unlicensed job gets near construction, such as replacing rotted fascia while you are cleaning gutters, that part needs a CCB license. Decline it or subcontract it to a licensed contractor.

What to check before you bid

1. Is any part of the job construction that improves property? If yes, the CCB license applies.
2. Is the job electrical or plumbing? Add the Building Codes Division license.
3. Does it involve planting trees or hardscape? Check the LCB.
4. Will you apply any pesticide to someone else's property? Check ODA.
5. Is your CCB number on the website, estimate and truck?

This is general information and rules change. Check the agencies before you act.

Frequently asked questions