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 2026-06-22

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.
Line up insurance. You'll need 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.), and workers' compensation coverage.
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. Renew every 2 years.

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	None required by CCB
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.
Processing time	Variable

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

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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 a Oregon general contractor license cost?

Application: Up to $400 (two-year license). License: Included in application fee. Renewal: $400.

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 a 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. Workers' compensation: Required if you have employees

How often must a Oregon general contractor license be renewed?

Every 2 years.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) before applying. This is not legal advice.