Oregon HVAC License Requirements (2026) | Official BCD and CCB Guide

Oregon does not issue a single dedicated HVAC contractor license. Instead, HVAC work is regulated jointly by two agencies. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) issues the business license — typically a Residential or Commercial Specialty Contractor endorsement with HVAC scope under ORS Chapter 701. The Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) licenses the individual technicians who perform low-voltage controls, thermostat, and limited-energy work through the Limited Energy Technician (LE-A heating and air conditioning, LE-B residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning) classifications under ORS Chapter 479. Refrigerant handling additionally requires federal EPA Section 608 certification.

Governing Authority

Under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 479 (electrical) and Chapter 693 (plumbing); OAR Chapter 918, Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. BCD licenses individual electricians and plumbers, administers trade examinations through its Licensing Program, adopts the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code and Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, and certifies inspectors statewide.

Official portal: https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/
Address: 1535 Edgewater Street NW, Salem, OR 97304
Phone: (503) 378-4133

Eligibility Requirements

An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No Oregon residency requirement.

Good moral character

BCD and CCB conduct independent fitness reviews. Prior disciplinary action and unsatisfied construction-related judgments are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory disclosure on both the BCD technician application and the CCB business application.

Experience & Education Matrix

The applicant must document and verify at least Two years (4,000 hours) of qualifying limited-energy or HVAC experience for the Limited Energy Technician classifications, documented under a licensed supervising technician. Keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records to support the claim, as the board can request proof for any period within its lookback window.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

BOLI apprenticeship completion certificate (where applicable)
BCD experience verification form signed by the supervising technician
W-2 statements or payroll records covering the qualifying period
EPA Section 608 Universal certification card (for refrigerant handling)

Education substitution

Approved HVAC apprenticeships and accredited HVAC technology coursework substitute for portions of the experience requirement on a sliding scale set by BCD rule.

Examination Structure

The licensing examination is delivered by Oregon BCD (Limited Energy Technician exam administered through PSI); CCB open-book exam for the contractor business license. All of the following parts must be cleared prior to issuance:

BCD Limited Energy Technician Examination — Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, low-voltage HVAC controls, and Oregon rules — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
CCB Open-Book Examination (for the business license) — Oregon construction law, lien law, contracts, employment, tax — 50 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $85 BCD exam fee plus $60 CCB exam fee, both paid to PSI on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be re-taken individually by paying a new fee. There is no waiting period between attempts. Each application remains valid for one year.

Insurance & Financial Security

A contractor license surety bond of $20,000, on the BCD's prescribed form, is a precondition to issuance.

General liability

CCB requires commercial general liability insurance: $500,000 per occurrence for residential endorsements; $1,000,000 per occurrence for CSC Level 2; $2,000,000 per occurrence for CSC Level 1.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in Oregon under ORS 656 for any business with employees.

Additional financial requirements

CCB surety bond requirement: $20,000 for residential HVAC specialty contractor; $75,000 for CSC Level 2; $200,000 for CSC Level 1.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$425
Examination	$145
Initial license	$425
Renewal (every 2 years)	$325

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Oregon Limited Energy Technician (HVAC/R) and CCB HVAC Specialty Contractor every 2 years. Renewal currently costs $325. Two separate renewal cycles. CCB business license renews every two years; BCD technician license renews every three years. Lapsing either suspends the ability to operate.

Continuing education: CCB: 16 hours for the first renewal, 8 hours for subsequent renewals (residential). BCD Limited Energy Technician: 24 hours of code-update CE every three years.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Oregon HVAC 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
Washington	Limited recognition	Bilateral CCB–Washington L&I and BCD–Washington L&I recognition for active HVAC contractors and technicians in good standing.
Idaho	Limited recognition	Bilateral recognition for active HVAC contractors in good standing.
Montana	Limited recognition	Bilateral recognition for active registered HVAC contractors.

Oregon does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for the CCB business license. Reciprocal applicants must still pass the Oregon-specific CCB exam and any required BCD trade exams.

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

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Earn EPA Section 608 certification. Pass the federal EPA Section 608 Universal certification exam to handle refrigerants legally on the job.
Document HVAC experience. Accumulate two years (4,000 hours) of qualifying HVAC and limited-energy experience under a licensed supervising technician.
Pass the BCD Limited Energy Technician exam. Score 75% or better on the LE-A or LE-B exam covering Oregon Electrical Specialty Code and low-voltage HVAC controls.
Receive the BCD technician license. BCD issues the Limited Energy Technician license. The license must be renewed every three years with continuing education.
Complete the 16-hour CCB pre-license training. Required for the business license. Covers Oregon construction law, lien law, contracts, employment, and tax.
Pass the CCB open-book examination at 70%. Score 36 of 50 questions correct on the open-book exam at a CCB-approved test center.
File the CCB application with bond and insurance. Submit the CCB Specialty Contractor application with the $325 fee, surety bond, liability insurance certificate, and workers compensation coverage.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with BCD:

☐ EPA Section 608 Universal certification card
☐ Two years (4,000 hours) of documented HVAC experience
☐ BCD Limited Energy Technician application and PSI exam pass at 75%+
☐ CCB 16-hour pre-license training completion certificate
☐ CCB open-book exam pass at 70% (36 of 50)
☐ CCB Specialty Contractor application with $325 fee and surety bond
☐ Commercial general liability and workers compensation certificates

Study and Reference Materials

What follows are the regulator-cited and commonly used preparation references for this trade. They appear here for convenience only; CLR takes no compensation for them.

Oregon Electrical Specialty Code — Oregon Building Codes Division. Primary technical reference for the BCD Limited Energy Technician exam.
Oregon Contractor's Reference Manual — Oregon Construction Contractors Board. Official CCB study reference for the open-book business exam.
EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Study Guide — ESCO Institute / Mainstream Engineering. Required for federal refrigerant handling certification.

Common Filing Mistakes

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Oregon HVAC filing.

Assuming a single license covers everything

Oregon HVAC requires both a CCB business license and a BCD technician license. Holding only one is not enough to operate legally.

Skipping EPA Section 608

Federal refrigerant handling certification is mandatory and is enforced separately from state licensing. Working with refrigerants without it triggers federal penalties.

Choosing the wrong CCB endorsement level

CSC Level 1 has no project-size cap but requires a $200,000 bond and $2,000,000 liability. Level 2 is capped at $250,000 per project. Bidding above the cap voids the license for that project.

Missing the dual renewal schedule

CCB renews every two years; BCD renews every three. Tracking only one cycle leads to silent lapses on the other.

Letting the surety bond lapse

A lapsed CCB surety bond automatically suspends the business license. CCB does not issue grace periods.

Other Oregon Trade Licenses

CLR covers other Oregon trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Oregon issue a single HVAC contractor license?

No. Oregon splits HVAC regulation between two agencies. The CCB issues the business license (Residential or Commercial Specialty Contractor with HVAC scope) and BCD licenses the individual technicians under the Limited Energy Technician classifications.

Do I need an EPA Section 608 certification in Oregon?

Yes. Federal law requires EPA Section 608 certification for any technician who handles refrigerants. This is separate from the Oregon BCD license and must be obtained from an EPA-approved testing organization.

What is a Limited Energy Technician?

A BCD classification authorizing work on low-voltage HVAC controls, thermostats, and limited-energy systems. LE-A covers heating and air conditioning controls; LE-B covers residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning low-voltage work.

How much surety bond does Oregon require for HVAC contractors?

$20,000 for residential HVAC specialty contractor, $75,000 for CSC Level 2, and $200,000 for CSC Level 1, filed with CCB before the business license is issued.

How often do the Oregon HVAC licenses renew?

The CCB business license renews every two years; the BCD Limited Energy Technician license renews every three years. Each has its own continuing education requirement.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-02 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-31