Oregon contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Oregon contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (CCB), how to check one online, the license types, and 2,256 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Oregon?
| Who licenses them | Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) |
|---|---|
| License types | Residential General Contractor, Residential Specialty Contractor, Residential Limited Contractor, Commercial Contractor, Restoration Services (special residential endorsement) |
| When a license is required | License required for almost all paid construction or repair work. The only exemption is work under $1,000 total that is casual, minor or inconsequential, and only if the person does not advertise as a contractor. A written contract is required for residential work over $2,000 (ORS 701.305). Bond and insurance: Residential General $25,000 bond and $500,000 insurance; Residential Specialty $20,000 bond and $300,000 insurance; Residential Limited $15,000 bond and $100,000 insurance |
Oregon requires CCB licensing for handymen and most repair work. Homeowners with a dispute over residential work can file a claim against the contractor's CCB bond. Contractors must give homeowners the required consumer notices, and a CCB license does not replace the separate trade licenses needed for plumbing or electrical work.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Oregon?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Oregon contractor license lookup run by CCB.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact CCB.
What contractor licenses does Oregon issue?
- Residential General Contractor
- Residential Specialty Contractor
- Residential Limited Contractor
- Commercial Contractor
- Restoration Services (special residential endorsement)
How do you get a contractor license in Oregon?
Licenses are issued by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official CCB source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many home improvement contractors are there in Oregon?
The Census Bureau counted 2,256 residential remodelers with employees in Oregon in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Multnomah County | 436 |
|---|---|
| Clackamas County | 310 |
| Washington County | 307 |
| Lane County | 182 |
| Marion County | 171 |
| Deschutes County | 153 |
| Jackson County | 122 |
| Yamhill County | 66 |
What do Oregon homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Oregon was built in 1980, 37% of households rent and 68% of homes are single-family houses. 37% of homes heat with utility gas and 53% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Oregon?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Oregon licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.