Oregon Limited Energy Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Oregon's low-voltage trade is regulated by the Building Codes Division (BCD) Electrical Section under ORS 479. The BCD issues two scopes: Class A Limited Energy Technician (LEA) covers all low-voltage installations including fire alarm, burglar alarm, sound, intercom, telephone, structured cabling, energy management, and HVAC controls statewide; Class B (LEB) is restricted to one- and two-family residential. Each business that installs limited energy systems also needs a Limited Energy Electrical Contractor license tied to a CCB (Construction Contractors Board) registration. Oregon does not split fire alarm and burglar alarm into separate state credentials — both fall under the same LEA scope, but fire alarm work additionally requires NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level II or higher per OAR 918-282 for plan review and acceptance.

The Licensing Authority

Authority over this credential rests with Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD), which issues and polices it under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 479 (electrical) and Chapter 693 (plumbing); OAR Chapter 918. 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

Baseline Eligibility

The threshold requirements are straightforward: age 18 or above, plus a valid Social Security Number. No Oregon residency requirement.

Good moral character

BCD reviews criminal history. CCB requires the responsible managing individual to disclose convictions and any prior contractor license discipline.

Background investigation

CCB runs an administrative background check on the responsible managing individual. There is no fingerprint requirement for LEA / LEB.

Experience and Education Requirements

A minimum of 2 years of Class A LEA: 4,000 hours of supervised limited energy experience plus 144 hours of related classroom training (typically a two-year apprenticeship through an Oregon-approved Limited Energy Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program). Class B LEB: 2,000 hours of residential limited energy experience plus 96 hours of classroom training. must be documented and verified. Unless the board publishes a different lookback period, applicants should keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records that support the claimed experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

BCD Apprenticeship completion certificate from an Oregon-approved Limited Energy JATC
Form 2H Affidavit of Experience signed by each supervising LEA
Pay records or W-2 statements covering the qualifying hours
Out-of-state licensure or NICET certificate (for experience evaluation)

Education substitution

BCD accepts an approved limited energy apprenticeship as the standard path. NICET Fire Alarm Systems certification and military electronics training may be evaluated for partial hour credit on the experience affidavit.

The Licensing Examination

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC under contract to Oregon BCD.. The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

Class A Limited Energy Technician (LEA) examination — open book, NEC and Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, NFPA 72, and limited energy scope — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
Class B Limited Energy Technician (LEB) examination — residential scope only — 60 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $85 examination fee paid to PSI per attempt.

Retake policy: Failed examinations may be re-taken after a 14-day waiting period by paying a new $85 fee. The application file remains active for one year.

Financial Security and Insurance

The applicant must secure and file a $20,000 surety bond before the BCD will release the license.

General liability

CCB commercial contractor registrations require a minimum $1,000,000/$2,000,000 commercial general liability policy under ORS 701.073. Residential-only registrations require $500,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under ORS 656 for any employer.

Additional financial requirements

CCB does not require a financial statement for limited energy contractors. The $20,000 surety bond ($15,000 for residential-only) is the financial protection in lieu of a statement.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$85
Examination	$85
Initial license	$325
Renewal (every 3 years)	$325

License Renewal

The Oregon Limited Energy Electrical Contractor (Class A or B) and Limited Energy Technician (LEA / LEB) must be renewed every 3 years. The fee to renew is presently $325. BCD technician licenses renew every three years; CCB contractor registrations renew every two years. Lapsed CCB registrations void any contracts in progress and trigger penalties under ORS 701.026.

Continuing education: 24 hours of BCD-approved continuing education each three-year cycle for LEA, including a 4-hour code update course based on the current adopted NEC and Oregon Electrical Specialty Code edition.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Oregon grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Idaho	Limited reciprocity	BCD and Idaho DBS recognize each other's limited energy technicians on a case-by-case basis after experience and exam review.

Oregon BCD does not have broad reciprocity for LEA / LEB. Out-of-state applicants must take the PSI Class A or Class B exam. NICET is not a substitute for the LEA exam.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Choose Class A or Class B. Class A (LEA) covers all commercial and residential limited energy work statewide. Class B (LEB) is residential one- and two-family only.
Complete the apprenticeship and document experience. Enroll in an Oregon-approved Limited Energy JATC apprenticeship — 4,000 hours plus 144 classroom hours for LEA or 2,000 plus 96 for LEB.
Apply to sit the BCD examination. Submit the Form 2H Affidavit of Experience and apprenticeship completion certificate to BCD; BCD issues authorization to test.
Pass the PSI Class A or Class B examination at 75%. Open-book exam covering the NEC, Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, NFPA 72, and limited energy scope.
Receive the LEA / LEB technician license. BCD issues the technician license. The technician license must be renewed every three years with 24 hours of continuing education.
File the CCB Limited Energy Contractor registration. Submit the CCB application, $20,000 surety bond, $1,000,000 general liability certificate, and workers comp coverage. Designate the LEA as the responsible managing individual.
Pass the CCB pre-license course and test. Take the 16-hour CCB pre-license training and pass the CCB law and business test for new contractor registrations.
Receive the CCB Limited Energy Contractor registration and begin work. CCB issues the registration. CCB registration renews every two years.

Common Application Pitfalls

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Oregon Low Voltage application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Skipping the apprenticeship

BCD requires completion of an approved limited energy apprenticeship for first-time LEA / LEB applicants. Self-claimed experience without an apprenticeship is rejected.

Holding LEA without CCB registration

The LEA technician license alone does not authorize the holder to contract. The business must also hold a CCB Limited Energy Contractor registration and bond.

Missing NICET on fire alarm projects

OAR 918-282 requires NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level II for plan review and acceptance testing on most commercial fire alarm projects. LEA alone is not enough.

Misclassifying the residential scope

LEB cannot work in apartment buildings of three or more units, schools, or commercial occupancies. Crossing that line is grounds for license suspension.

Letting CCB registration lapse

CCB lapses are unforgiving. Any contract entered while unregistered is unenforceable and the contractor faces civil penalties up to $5,000 per offense.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Ahead of submission to BCD, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ Completed Oregon-approved limited energy apprenticeship
☐ BCD Form 2H Affidavit of Experience
☐ PSI LEA or LEB exam pass certificate at 75%+
☐ CCB Limited Energy Contractor registration
☐ $20,000 CCB surety bond ($15,000 residential)
☐ $1,000,000/$2,000,000 commercial general liability certificate
☐ CCB pre-license 16-hour training and law/business test
☐ Workers comp coverage certificate

Preparation Resources

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), Oregon-adopted edition — NFPA. Articles 725, 760, 770, and 800 are the technical core. Open-book reference at the LEA exam.
Oregon Electrical Specialty Code — Oregon BCD. Oregon's amendments to the NEC. Required reference for the LEA exam.
NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — NFPA. Required for the fire alarm portion of the LEA exam and for OAR 918-282 plan review.

Other Oregon Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Oregon licensing guides:

Answers to Common Questions

Does Oregon issue a single low-voltage license?

Yes for the technician credential. The Class A Limited Energy Technician (LEA) covers fire alarm, burglar alarm, sound, telephone, intercom, energy management, and structured cabling statewide. The contractor business additionally needs a CCB Limited Energy Contractor registration.

What is the difference between LEA and LEB?

Class A (LEA) covers all limited energy work in any occupancy. Class B (LEB) is restricted to one- and two-family residential dwellings.

Does Oregon require NICET for fire alarm?

NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level II or higher is required by OAR 918-282 for fire alarm plan review and acceptance testing. The LEA exam itself does not require NICET as a prerequisite.

How many hours of experience are required?

4,000 hours of supervised limited energy experience plus 144 classroom hours for Class A. Class B is half — 2,000 plus 96.

How often does the LEA renew?

BCD limited energy technician licenses renew every three years with 24 hours of approved continuing education, including a 4-hour code update.

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