How to check if a contractor is licensed in Oregon
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
In Oregon, the state keeps license or registration records for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors, and each has an official lookup or board listed below. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.
Which board covers which trade
| Trade | Who keeps the record | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | Oregon Construction Contractors Board | Search general contractor licenses |
| Electrical | Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes Division | Search electrical licenses |
| Plumbing | Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes Division | Search plumbing licenses |
| HVAC | Oregon Construction Contractors Board | Search HVAC licenses |
| Roofing | Oregon Construction Contractors Board | Search roofing licenses |
Step by step
- Open the official Oregon lookup run by Oregon Construction Contractors Board and search the contractor by name or number.
- For electrical work, also check the electrical contractor lookup from Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.
- For plumbing work, also check the plumbing contractor lookup from Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.
- Look a contractor up by CCB license number, which contractors must show on their advertising. source The CCB license search shows a contractor's recent history of disciplinary actions. source The BCD license holder search covers electrical and plumbing licenses and can include expired and inactive licenses. source
- Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Residential General Contractor or Residential Specialty Contractor or Residential Limited Contractor or Commercial General Contractor Level 1 or Commercial General Contractor Level 2 or Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1 or Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 2). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above Work on one structure totaling less than $1,000 that is casual, minor or inconsequential is exempt from licensing (exemption lost if the person advertises as a contractor). source
- Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Surety bond of $25,000 for a residential general contractor ($20,000 residential specialty, $15,000 residential limited, $80,000 commercial general level 1). source General liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence for a residential general contractor ($2 million for commercial general level 1). source
If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint
- Check a license or ask about a contractor by calling the CCB. source
Homeowner protections in Oregon
- A homeowner complaint about work on an existing structure must reach the CCB within one year after the work was substantially completed. source
- For a new structure the complaint must reach the CCB within one year of first occupancy or two years of substantial completion, whichever is earlier. source
- Homeowner claims against a residential general contractor are paid from its $25,000 surety bond after a CCB determination. source
- Payments from the bond on a nonowner complaint are capped at $5,000. source
- A written contract is required for residential work when the contract price exceeds $2,000. source
Questions
- How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Oregon?
- Search the contractor by name or license number on the official Oregon lookup run by Oregon Construction Contractors Board, then confirm the record is active and covers the type of work. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's lookup in the table on this page.
- What can I do if a contractor in Oregon is not licensed?
- Check a license or ask about a contractor by calling the CCB.
All Oregon licensing rules by trade
Sources
- https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/Pages/default.aspx
- https://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/
- https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors701.html
- https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/Pages/index.aspx
- https://www4.cbs.state.or.us/exs/all/mylicsearch/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.show_search_name&group_id=30
- https://apps.oregon.gov/SOS/LicenseDirectory/LicenseDetail/592
- https://apps.oregon.gov/SOS/LicenseDirectory/LicenseDetail/659
- https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/Pages/CCB%20License.aspx
- https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/Pages/Proposed-Fee-Increase.aspx
- https://apps.oregon.gov/SOS/LicenseDirectory/LicenseDetail/626
- https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/licensing/pages/reciprocal.aspx
- https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/Formslibrary/2570.pdf
- https://apps.oregon.gov/SOS/LicenseDirectory/LicenseDetail/675
- https://apps.oregon.gov/SOS/LicenseDirectory/LicenseDetail/640
- https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/Pages/Consumer-Tools.aspx
- https://data.oregon.gov/d/g77e-6bhs
- https://www.usa.gov/government-works
- https://data.oregon.gov/d/vhbr-cuaq
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.