Oregon Plumber License Requirements
Official classification: Journeyman Plumber (PJ) — 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 2026-06-22
In Oregon, plumbers must hold the Journeyman Plumber (PJ) — 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 (PJ) — 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.
- Pass the Oregon Journeyman Plumber Exam exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
- Secure your surety bond. Oregon requires No individual BCD bond. To contract, the CCB business license requires a surety bond (e.g. $25,000 Residential General; $20,000 Residential Specialty).
- Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (No individual BCD requirement; the CCB business license requires general liability (e.g. $500,000/occurrence Residential General)), and workers' compensation coverage.
- 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. Renew every 3 years (renews April 1), completing 24 total hours per 3-year cycle per the BCD license directory (includes Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code update / code-change hours).
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. |
|---|---|
| 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 | Oregon maintains reciprocal agreements for the Journeyman Plumber license with certain jurisdictions (see the BCD reciprocal application). |
| Processing time | Allow ~2 weeks for BCD to grade the exam after testing. |
Exams
| Oregon Journeyman Plumber Exam | Provider: BCD-administered (BCD grades exam) · Passing: Not publicly disclosed by BCD (secondary sources cite 75%) · Fee: Not separately published by BCD |
|---|
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 a Oregon plumber license cost?
Application: $100 (per OAR 918-780-0030). License: $100. Renewal: $180 (includes a $30 continuing-education tracking fee).
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 a 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.
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 often must a 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)
Official sources
oregon.gov/bcd/licensing/Pages/plumbing-apply.aspx
oregon.public.law/rules/oar_918-780-0030
oregon.gov/ccb/Documents/Endorsement Chart.pdf