Oregon Carpentry License Requirements (2026)

Oregon regulates all construction contractors — including carpenters — through the Construction Contractors Board (CCB) under ORS Chapter 701. There is no separate carpentry classification in Oregon. Carpenters obtain a single CCB Construction Contractor License at one of seven endorsements: Residential General Contractor, Residential Specialty Contractor, Residential Limited Contractor, Residential Developer, Commercial General Contractor Level 1 or 2, or Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1 or 2. Every applicant must complete 16 hours of CCB-approved pre-license training, pass the CCB-administered NASCLA Accredited Examination on Oregon law and rules, post a surety bond ($20,000 to $80,000), maintain GL insurance, and pay the $325 application fee.

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

The federal EPA Lead RRP Rule applies in every state — including Oregon — to renovation, repair, or painting that disturbs paint in housing built before 1978. See our complete EPA RRP Lead Certification guide for who needs firm and renovator certification, what it costs, and how renewal works.

Governing Authority

Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 701; OAR Chapter 812 (CCB administrative rules). The CCB licenses all construction contractors in Oregon, sets pre-license training and exam standards, holds bond and insurance filings, and adjudicates contractor disputes through its Dispute Resolution Services program.

Official portal: https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/
Address: 201 High Street SE, Suite 600, Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 378-4621

Eligibility Requirements

At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No Oregon residency requirement.

Good moral character

Criminal history is reviewed case-by-case by the licensing authority.

Background investigation

Criminal history disclosure required on the application.

Experience & Education Matrix

Eligibility here is not measured in years of experience but by No experience minimum. The applicant must complete 16 hours of CCB-approved pre-license training., per the cited materials.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Notarized experience affidavits from licensed supervising contractors
W-2s, 1099s, or payroll records covering the qualifying period
Apprenticeship completion certificate where applicable

Education substitution

Approved carpentry apprenticeship or accredited trade school coursework may substitute for part of the experience requirement.

Examination Structure

Examinations are administered by PSI Services LLC under contract to CCB. The applicant must pass the following examination parts before the license can issue:

CCB Pre-license Test (Oregon law, rules, safety, lien) — 80 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $325 application fee plus $60 PSI test fee.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be retaken after paying a new exam fee. Applications remain valid for one year.

Insurance & Financial Security

The CCB requires a $20,000 contractor license surety bond to be on file before the license will issue.

General liability

ORS §701.073 requires Residential contractors to maintain GL insurance with minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence ($1,000,000 aggregate). Commercial Level 1 contractors must carry $1,000,000 per occurrence ($2,000,000 aggregate); Level 2 contractors must carry $2,000,000 ($3,000,000).

Workers' compensation

Workers compensation is mandatory under ORS §656.027 for any contractor with one or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required for residential contractors. Commercial Level 2 contractors must file a CPA-prepared statement showing net worth of at least $200,000.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$325
Examination	$60
Initial license	$325
Renewal (every 2 years)	$325

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Oregon Construction Contractors Board License (Carpentry) every 2 years. Renewal currently costs $325. Biennial renewal on the anniversary of issuance. Late renewal incurs a $25 reinstatement fee.

Continuing education: 16 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal cycle for the Responsible Managing Individual, including 8 hours of mandatory topics.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Oregon Carpentry License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

Oregon does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

Oregon CCB has no formal reciprocity. Out-of-state contractors must complete the 16-hour pre-license training and CCB test.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Carpentry license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Designate the Responsible Managing Individual (RMI). Will complete the pre-license training and test.
Complete the 16-hour CCB pre-license training. Approved providers listed on oregon.gov/ccb.
Pass the CCB pre-license test at 70%. Schedule with PSI.
Submit the CCB application with $325 fee. Online via ccb.oregon.gov.
Post the surety bond. $20,000 to $80,000 depending on endorsement.
File proof of GL insurance. Per ORS §701.073 minimums.
File workers compensation certificate. ORS §656.027 for any worker.
Receive the CCB number. Display on every contract, ad, vehicle and sign.
Renew biennially with 16 CE hours. Submit $325 renewal and current bond and insurance.

Study and Reference Materials

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

CCB Pre-license Training Manual — Oregon Construction Contractors Board. Free PDF on oregon.gov/ccb.
ORS Chapter 701 and OAR Chapter 812 — State of Oregon. Construction contractor licensing law and rules.
Oregon Residential Specialty Code — Oregon Building Codes Division. Adopted IRC with Oregon amendments.

Common Filing Mistakes

Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a Oregon Carpentry application.

Wrong endorsement

Performing commercial work under a Residential endorsement is unlicensed contracting under ORS §701.021.

Pre-license training expiration

Pre-license training certificates are valid only one year. Applicants who delay submitting must retake the course.

Lead RRP for pre-1978 trim

EPA RRP certification is required and Oregon DEQ Lead-Based Paint Program enforces concurrently with mandatory state lead-based paint renovator certification.

CCB written contract law

ORS §701.305 requires a written contract on any residential project over $2,000, with specific disclosures and the CCB Notice of Procedure.

Mechanics lien notice

Oregon requires the Information Notice to Owner and Notice of Right to Lien on every residential project. Failure voids lien rights.

Pre-Submission Checklist

These are the pieces to lock down before filing with CCB:

☐ CCB application with $325 fee
☐ Designated Responsible Managing Individual
☐ 16-hour CCB pre-license training certificate
☐ CCB pre-license test pass certificate
☐ Surety bond ($20,000 to $80,000)
☐ Certificate of GL insurance per ORS §701.073
☐ Workers compensation certificate
☐ EPA Lead RRP certification (pre-1978 work)
☐ Statutory written contract template with CCB Notice of Procedure

Other Oregon Trade Licenses

Should the Carpentry path not apply, these other Oregon trade guides from CLR may help:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Oregon have a separate carpentry license?

No. Oregon issues a single CCB Construction Contractor License with seven endorsements. Carpentry is performed under the appropriate residential or commercial endorsement.

What is the CCB pre-license training?

A CCB-approved 16-hour course covering Oregon contractor law, lien law, contracts, OSHA safety, and business practices. Required before sitting for the CCB test.

What surety bond is required?

$20,000 for Residential Limited and Residential Specialty; $20,000 for Residential General; $20,000 for Commercial Specialty Level 1; $80,000 for Commercial General Level 2.

Does Oregon require workers comp without employees?

No, but Oregon CCB has the broadest definition of "worker" in the country — anyone performing work on the project, even an unpaid helper, can trigger coverage requirements under the dual definition test.

How often does the CCB license renew?

Every two years on the anniversary of issuance with current bond, insurance and 16 hours of continuing education for the responsible managing individual.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-06-04 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-02