Oregon Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Journeyman Plumber (JP) — issued by BCD; a separate CCB license is required to operate a plumbing contracting business · Issued by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — individual license; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — business license.

🔧 PlumberOR ✔ Verified 2026-10-01

In Oregon, plumbers must hold the Journeyman Plumber (JP) — issued by BCD; a separate CCB license is required to operate a plumbing contracting business, issued by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — individual license; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — business license, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in Oregon

Follow these steps to earn your Journeyman Plumber (JP) — issued by BCD; a separate CCB license is required to operate a plumbing contracting business. Every figure is verified against the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — individual license; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — business license; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Completion of a registered 4-year plumbing apprenticeship; OR 576 hours plumbing-related classroom training plus 3,850 hours lawful commercial AND 3,850 hours lawful residential OJT as an apprentice; OR twice the work experience (7,700 hours commercial and 7,700 hours residential) in place of the classroom training (OAR 918-695-0030(3)).
Pass the Oregon Journeyman Plumber Exam exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: No individual BCD requirement; the CCB business license requires general liability (e.g. $500,000/occurrence Residential General). Workers' compensation: Required (via the CCB business license) if you have employees.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — individual license; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — business license — $100 (per OAR 918-780-0030) application fee, plus a $100 license fee. Processing time: Allow ~2 weeks for BCD to grade the exam after testing.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 3 years (renews April 1). Continuing education: 24 total hours per 3-year cycle per the BCD license directory (includes Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code update / code-change hours).

For the general path in every state, see the Plumber guide →

Oregon plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber 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.

Verify a license now: Search the official ordcbs.mylicense.com database →

License types

Journeyman Plumber — May perform all plumbing installations, alterations, or remodels

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Completion of a registered 4-year plumbing apprenticeship; OR 576 hours plumbing-related classroom training plus 3,850 hours lawful commercial AND 3,850 hours lawful residential OJT as an apprentice; OR twice the work experience (7,700 hours commercial and 7,700 hours residential) in place of the classroom training (OAR 918-695-0030(3)).
Application fee	$100 (per OAR 918-780-0030)
License fee	$100
Renewal fee	$180 (includes a $30 continuing-education tracking fee)
Renewal period	Every 3 years (renews April 1)
Continuing education	24 total hours per 3-year cycle per the BCD license directory (includes Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code update / code-change hours)
Bond required	No individual BCD bond. To contract, the CCB business license requires a surety bond (e.g. $25,000 Residential General; $20,000 Residential Specialty).
Liability insurance	No individual BCD requirement; the CCB business license requires general liability (e.g. $500,000/occurrence Residential General)
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required (via the CCB business license) if you have employees
Background check	Not required for the individual BCD plumber license.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	Journeyman Plumber (JP): Idaho and Montana (BCD reciprocal license agreements) · compare all states
Processing time	Allow ~2 weeks for BCD to grade the exam after testing.

What an Oregon plumber license costs

Application fee	$100 (per OAR 918-780-0030).
License fee	$100.
Oregon Journeyman Plumber Exam	Not separately published by BCD.
Surety bond	No individual BCD bond. To contract, the CCB business license requires a surety bond (e.g. $25,000 Residential General; $20,000 Residential Specialty).
Renewal fee	$180 (includes a $30 continuing-education tracking fee).
Renewal period	Every 3 years (renews April 1).

Exams

Oregon Journeyman Plumber Exam	Provider: BCD-administered (BCD grades exam) · Passing: 75% or better · Fee: Not separately published by BCD

Renewing an Oregon plumber license

The Journeyman Plumber (JP) — issued by BCD; a separate CCB license is required to operate a plumbing contracting business renews on a fixed cycle set by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — individual license; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — business license. 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 3 years (renews April 1)
Renewal fee	$180 (includes a $30 continuing-education tracking fee)
Continuing education	24 total hours per 3-year cycle per the BCD license directory (includes Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code update / code-change hours)
Where to renew	Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — individual license; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — business license

Local / municipal notes

The individual journeyman plumber license (BCD) and the business CCB license are separate credentials — both are needed to operate a plumbing contracting business.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Oregon plumber license cost?

Application: $100 (per OAR 918-780-0030). License: $100. Renewal: $180 (includes a $30 continuing-education tracking fee).

How do I look up a plumber license in Oregon?

Search the official license database at ordcbs.mylicense.com. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do plumbers in Oregon need a surety bond?

No individual BCD bond. To contract, the CCB business license requires a surety bond (e.g. $25,000 Residential General; $20,000 Residential Specialty).

What experience is required for an Oregon plumber license?

Completion of a registered 4-year plumbing apprenticeship; OR 576 hours plumbing-related classroom training plus 3,850 hours lawful commercial AND 3,850 hours lawful residential OJT as an apprentice; OR twice the work experience (7,700 hours commercial and 7,700 hours residential) in place of the classroom training (OAR 918-695-0030(3)).

Is insurance required for plumbers in Oregon?

Liability: No individual BCD requirement; the CCB business license requires general liability (e.g. $500,000/occurrence Residential General). Workers' compensation: Required (via the CCB business license) if you have employees.

How long does it take to get an Oregon plumber license?

Processing time: Allow ~2 weeks for BCD to grade the exam after testing.

Is a background check required for plumbers in Oregon?

Background check: Not required for the individual BCD plumber license.

How often must an Oregon plumber license be renewed?

Every 3 years (renews April 1). Continuing education: 24 total hours per 3-year cycle per the BCD license directory (includes Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code update / code-change hours).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-10-01 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — individual license; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — business license before applying. This is not legal advice.