Oregon Painting License Requirements (2026)
By Gabriel Giner, Editor · Reviewed 2026-06-03 · CLR Editorial Review Desk
Oregon requires every contractor — painters included — to hold a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license under ORS Chapter 701 before performing any construction work for compensation, regardless of project value. Painting falls under Residential or Commercial endorsements depending on the work scope. The CCB requires a 16-hour pre-license training course, a passing score on the Oregon CCB exam, a continuous surety bond ($20,000 residential / $20,000 small commercial / $75,000 large commercial), commercial general liability insurance, and workers compensation. Oregon's Lead-Based Paint Renovator (LBPR) license is administered by the CCB in lieu of federal EPA RRP firm certification — Oregon is one of the EPA-authorized states with its own program.
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.
Regulatory Oversight
Under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 701; OAR Chapter 812 (CCB administrative rules), Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. 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
Who May Apply
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
CCB reviews criminal history and prior license discipline.
Background investigation
Disclosure of prior license actions and criminal history required.
Required Experience and Education
No fixed number of years of experience is set out in the cited sources for this credential; instead, the controlling requirement is no minimum experience prerequisite; all applicants must complete a 16-hour CCB-approved pre-license training course covering Oregon construction law, business practices, and worker safety.
Accepted proof of experience or eligibility
- Certificate of completion for the 16-hour pre-license training
- CCB exam score report
- Surety bond and certificate of insurance
Examination Requirements
PSI Services LLC (under contract to Oregon CCB) runs the examination for this credential. Issuance is contingent on passing every part below:
- Oregon CCB Examination (Construction Contractors Reference Manual) — 80 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 70%
Examination fee: $60 PSI exam fee plus $325 CCB application fee.
Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken after re-registration; application valid for one year.
Insurance and Financial Requirements
Licensure is conditioned on filing a $20,000 contractor license surety bond with the CCB.
General liability
CCB requires minimum commercial general liability of $500,000 per occurrence for residential and small commercial endorsements; $1,000,000 / $2,000,000 for large commercial. Market standard is $1M/$2M.
Workers' compensation
Workers' compensation mandatory under ORS §656.017 for any employer with one or more employees; CCB cross-checks with the Oregon Workers Compensation Division.
Additional financial requirements
No financial statement required for the painting endorsement.
Licensing Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application (non-refundable) | $325 |
| Examination | $60 |
| Initial license | No separate state fee |
| Renewal (every 2 years) | $325 |
Keeping the License Current
Renewal of the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) License — Residential or Commercial Endorsement (Painting) comes due every 2 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $325. Biennial renewal. Bond, insurance, WC, and LBPR must all remain current or the license is automatically suspended.
Continuing education: Residential endorsement holders must complete 16 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle (3 hours of which must be Oregon law/business). Commercial endorsement holders complete a different CE schedule.
Downloadable Asset
2026 Oregon Painting License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.
Download the PDF roadmap →Reciprocity and License Transfer
The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by Oregon for this classification.
| Reciprocal State | Accepted Exam | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified. | ||
Oregon does not reciprocate CCB licensing. Out-of-state painters must complete the full CCB application, pre-license training, and exam.
Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Painting license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.
Application Process, Step by Step
- Form business entity with Oregon Secretary of State. Register LLC/corporation and obtain EIN.
- Complete the 16-hour CCB pre-license training. Approved providers cover Oregon construction law, lien law, contract requirements, and OSHA safety basics.
- Register for and pass the PSI CCB exam. Score 70% or higher on the 80-question exam.
- Choose a residential or commercial endorsement. Residential General Contractor, Residential Specialty Contractor, Commercial General Contractor Level 1 or 2, etc. Painting falls under any of these depending on scope and value.
- Post the surety bond. $20,000 for Residential and Commercial Level 1; $75,000 for Commercial Level 2.
- Procure commercial general liability and workers compensation. $500,000 GL minimum for residential; $1M for large commercial.
- Submit CCB license application. $325 application fee; biennial license.
- Obtain Oregon Lead-Based Paint Renovator (LBPR) license. Oregon CCB administers LBPR licensing in lieu of federal EPA RRP firm certification for pre-1978 housing.
- Renew biennially. Two-year renewal cycle; bond, insurance, WC, and LBPR must remain current.
Frequent Application Errors
Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Oregon Painting filing.
Working without an active CCB license
ORS §701.131 makes unlicensed contracting unlawful and unenforceable; contractors cannot collect payment or place liens. CCB issues civil penalties.
Skipping the 16-hour pre-license training
PSI will not schedule the exam without proof of training; training is a mandatory prerequisite.
Treating EPA RRP as sufficient
Oregon is an EPA-authorized state. The Oregon LBPR license is required in place of (and in addition to enforcement of) federal EPA RRP for pre-1978 work.
Letting bond or WC lapse
Lapsed bond, GL, or WC automatically suspends the CCB license.
Missing residential CE requirement
Residential endorsement holders must complete 16 hours of CE per cycle, including 3 hours of Oregon law/business.
Recommended References
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 Construction Contractors Reference Manual — Oregon CCB. Primary CCB exam reference; updated annually.
- Oregon CCB Continuing Education catalog — Oregon CCB. Approved CE providers for renewal.
- PDCA Painting and Decorating Craftsman's Manual — PDCA. Trade reference.
Document Checklist
The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with CCB:
- ☐ 16-hour CCB pre-license training certificate
- ☐ PSI CCB exam pass at 70%
- ☐ CCB application with endorsement choice
- ☐ $20,000 (or $75,000) surety bond
- ☐ Commercial general liability insurance
- ☐ Workers compensation policy
- ☐ Oregon LBPR license (for pre-1978 work)
- ☐ EIN from the IRS
Other Oregon Trade Licenses
Should the Painting path not apply, these other Oregon trade guides from CLR may help:
- Oregon General Contractor License Requirements
- Oregon Electrician License Requirements
- Oregon Plumber License Requirements
- Oregon HVAC Technician License Requirements
- Oregon Roofing Contractor License Requirements
- Oregon Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
- Oregon Masonry Contractor License Requirements
- Oregon Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
- Oregon Solar Installer License Requirements
- Oregon Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
- Oregon Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
- Oregon Home Inspector License Requirements
- Oregon Pool Contractor License Requirements
Questions Applicants Ask
Does Oregon require a state license to paint?
Yes. ORS Chapter 701 requires every contractor including painters to hold a CCB license before performing any construction work for compensation, regardless of project value.
What is the 16-hour pre-license training?
A CCB-required course covering Oregon construction law, lien law, contract requirements, and OSHA safety basics. The course must be completed before sitting for the PSI exam.
What is LBPR?
Lead-Based Paint Renovator license — Oregon's state-administered equivalent of federal EPA RRP firm certification. Oregon is an EPA-authorized state, meaning the LBPR replaces the federal EPA firm certification for work in Oregon.
What bond amount is required?
$20,000 for residential and small commercial endorsements; $75,000 for Commercial Level 2.
How long is the CCB license valid?
Two years. CCB licenses renew biennially.
Primary Sources
Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.
- Oregon Construction Contractors Board
- Oregon Building Codes Division
- ORS Chapter 701 — Construction Contractors
- ORS Chapter 479 — Electrical Safety Law
- ORS Chapter 693 — Plumbers
Verified 2026-06-03 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-01