Oregon General Contractor License Requirements
Official classification: CCB Residential General Contractor (RGC) and/or Commercial General Contractor (CGC Level 1/Level 2) · Issued by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).
🏗️ General ContractorOR ✔ Verified 2026-09-21
In Oregon, general contractors must hold the CCB Residential General Contractor (RGC) and/or Commercial General Contractor (CGC Level 1/Level 2), issued by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB), and a surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.
How to become a licensed general contractor in Oregon
Follow these steps to earn your CCB Residential General Contractor (RGC) and/or Commercial General Contractor (CGC Level 1/Level 2). Every figure is verified against the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); full detail for each step is further down the page.
- Build the required experience. Residential General: complete the 16-hour pre-license training and pass the exam (no fixed years required). Commercial General: Level 1 requires 8 years construction experience; Level 2 requires 4 years. Apprenticeship or a construction-related degree may substitute for up to 3 years.
- Pass the Oregon Construction Contractor Exam (Oregon NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 2nd ed.) exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
- Secure your surety bond. Oregon requires Residential General: $25,000 surety bond. Commercial General: $80,000 (Level 1) / $25,000 (Level 2). A residential and a commercial endorsement each require their own bond.
- Check the insurance rules. Liability: Residential General: $500,000 per occurrence. Commercial General: $2 million aggregate (Level 1) / $1 million aggregate (Level 2). With both endorsements, carry one policy at the higher amount. Property damage: Included in general liability. Workers' compensation: Required if you have employees.
- Clear the background check. The Responsible Managing Individual (RMI) must complete a background check after submitting the application.
- Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — Up to $400 (two-year license) application fee, plus a Included in application fee license fee. Processing time: Variable.
- Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years. Continuing education: 16 hours per 2-year renewal for residential contractors licensed less than 6 years (8 hours for those licensed 6 years or more); 32 hours for Commercial Level 2 and 16 to 80 hours for Commercial Level 1 depending on number of key employees; exemptions available for certain licensed professionals.
For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →
Oregon general contractor license lookup
To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in Oregon — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
License types
- Residential General Contractor (RGC) — Supervise, arrange for, or perform an unlimited number of unrelated building trades on residential or small commercial structures
- Commercial General Contractor Level 1 (CGC1) — Unlimited unrelated building trades on any small or large commercial structure
- Commercial General Contractor Level 2 (CGC2) — Same work as Level 1; lower experience threshold
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | Residential General: complete the 16-hour pre-license training and pass the exam (no fixed years required). Commercial General: Level 1 requires 8 years construction experience; Level 2 requires 4 years. Apprenticeship or a construction-related degree may substitute for up to 3 years. |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Up to $400 (two-year license) |
| License fee | Included in application fee |
| Renewal fee | $400 |
| Renewal period | Every 2 years |
| Continuing education | 16 hours per 2-year renewal for residential contractors licensed less than 6 years (8 hours for those licensed 6 years or more); 32 hours for Commercial Level 2 and 16 to 80 hours for Commercial Level 1 depending on number of key employees; exemptions available for certain licensed professionals. |
| Bond required | Residential General: $25,000 surety bond. Commercial General: $80,000 (Level 1) / $25,000 (Level 2). A residential and a commercial endorsement each require their own bond. |
| Liability insurance | Residential General: $500,000 per occurrence. Commercial General: $2 million aggregate (Level 1) / $1 million aggregate (Level 2). With both endorsements, carry one policy at the higher amount. |
| Property damage | Included in general liability |
| Workers' comp | Required if you have employees |
| Background check | The Responsible Managing Individual (RMI) must complete a background check after submitting the application. |
| Credit requirement | None |
| Reciprocity | None — a CCB license is required regardless of out-of-state licensure. Passing the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor exam waives the 16-hour training but not the Oregon exam. · other states' agreements |
| Processing time | Variable |
What an Oregon general contractor license costs
| Application fee | Up to $400 (two-year license). |
|---|---|
| License fee | Included in application fee. |
| Oregon Construction Contractor Exam (Oregon NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 2nd ed.) | $60. |
| Surety bond | Residential General: $25,000 surety bond. Commercial General: $80,000 (Level 1) / $25,000 (Level 2). A residential and a commercial endorsement each require their own bond. |
| Renewal fee | $400. |
| Renewal period | Every 2 years. |
Exams
| Oregon Construction Contractor Exam (Oregon NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 2nd ed.) | Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% (56 of 80 questions) · Fee: $60 |
|---|
Renewing an Oregon general contractor license
The CCB Residential General Contractor (RGC) and/or Commercial General Contractor (CGC Level 1/Level 2) renews on a fixed cycle set by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.
| Renewal period | Every 2 years |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | $400 |
| Continuing education | 16 hours per 2-year renewal for residential contractors licensed less than 6 years (8 hours for those licensed 6 years or more); 32 hours for Commercial Level 2 and 16 to 80 hours for Commercial Level 1 depending on number of key employees; exemptions available for certain licensed professionals. |
| Where to renew | Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) |
Local / municipal notes
Every construction contractor operating in Oregon must hold a CCB license. Commercial projects over $100,000 also require a public works bond.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Oregon general contractor license cost?
Application: Up to $400 (two-year license). License: Included in application fee. Renewal: $400.
How do I look up a general contractor license in Oregon?
Search the official license database at search.ccb.state.or.us. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
Do general contractors in Oregon need a surety bond?
Residential General: $25,000 surety bond. Commercial General: $80,000 (Level 1) / $25,000 (Level 2). A residential and a commercial endorsement each require their own bond.
What experience is required for an Oregon general contractor license?
Residential General: complete the 16-hour pre-license training and pass the exam (no fixed years required). Commercial General: Level 1 requires 8 years construction experience; Level 2 requires 4 years. Apprenticeship or a construction-related degree may substitute for up to 3 years.
Is insurance required for general contractors in Oregon?
Liability: Residential General: $500,000 per occurrence. Commercial General: $2 million aggregate (Level 1) / $1 million aggregate (Level 2). With both endorsements, carry one policy at the higher amount. Property damage: Included in general liability. Workers' compensation: Required if you have employees.
Is a background check required for general contractors in Oregon?
Background check: The Responsible Managing Individual (RMI) must complete a background check after submitting the application.
How often must an Oregon general contractor license be renewed?
Every 2 years. Continuing education: 16 hours per 2-year renewal for residential contractors licensed less than 6 years (8 hours for those licensed 6 years or more); 32 hours for Commercial Level 2 and 16 to 80 hours for Commercial Level 1 depending on number of key employees; exemptions available for certain licensed professionals.
Official sources
oregon.gov/ccb/pages/ccb license.aspx
oregon.gov/ccb/Documents/Endorsement Chart.pdf
oregon.gov/ccb/Documents/Guide to becoming a lic contractor.pdf
oregon.gov/ccb/pages/continuing-education.aspx