Oregon plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Oregon plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (BCD), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,333 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Oregon?
| Who licenses them | Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) / State Plumbing Board; plumbing businesses also need a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license |
|---|---|
| License types | Plumbing Contractor, Journeyman Plumber, Supervising Plumber, Limited Specialty Plumber, Apprentice Plumber |
| When a license is required | License required for plumbing work regardless of job size |
Under ORS 693 and ORS 447, only licensed journeyman plumbers may do plumbing work, and they must work for a licensed plumbing contractor. Plumbing businesses also need a CCB license. Check the CCB license at https://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/ and get a plumbing permit.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Oregon?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Oregon plumbing license lookup run by BCD.
- 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 plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact BCD.
What plumbing licenses does Oregon issue?
- Plumbing Contractor
- Journeyman Plumber
- Supervising Plumber
- Limited Specialty Plumber
- Apprentice Plumber
How do you get a plumbing license in Oregon?
Licenses are issued by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) / State Plumbing Board; plumbing businesses also need a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official BCD source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in Oregon?
The Census Bureau counted 1,333 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Oregon in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Clackamas County | 216 |
|---|---|
| Multnomah County | 171 |
| Washington County | 147 |
| Deschutes County | 117 |
| Lane County | 104 |
| Jackson County | 94 |
| Marion County | 92 |
| Linn County | 45 |
What do Oregon homes mean for plumbing 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 plumber in Oregon?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Oregon licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.