Oregon Plumber License Requirements (2026)

The Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) Plumbing Program licenses individual plumbers under ORS Chapter 693 and the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code. The entry credential is the Journeyman Plumber license, which requires completion of a BOLI-registered four-year plumbing apprenticeship (minimum 3,850 hours of qualifying on-the-job training plus the related classroom instruction) and passage of the Oregon Journeyman Plumber examination. Self-employed plumbers must additionally hold a Plumbing Contractor Business License issued by BCD, paired with a CCB Plumbing Specialty Contractor registration.

Regulatory Body Profile

Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license 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

The Eligibility Audit

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number. No Oregon residency requirement.

Good moral character

BCD reviews applicant background. Felony convictions and prior BCD disciplinary action are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory disclosure of prior plumbing licenses and disciplinary history on the BCD application.

Experience and Education Standards

The experience bar is Four years of registered plumbing apprenticeship with a minimum of 3,850 hours of qualifying on-the-job training plus the related classroom instruction required by apprenticeship standards, and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) apprenticeship completion certificate
Plumbing apprenticeship training record showing OJT hours
Related Training Instruction (RTI) transcripts
W-2 statements covering the apprenticeship period

Education substitution

Out-of-state plumbers with equivalent licensure may apply for credit toward the experience requirement; BCD reviews each application individually.

The Exam Syllabus

The exam, administered by Oregon BCD Plumbing Licensing Program (administered through PSI test centers), breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

Oregon Journeyman Plumber Examination — Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, and Oregon plumbing rules — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $85 examination fee paid to PSI on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed examinations may be re-taken by paying a new $85 fee. There is no waiting period between attempts. Each application remains valid for one year.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No license surety bond is mandated statewide here under the cited sources, though project-specific or public-works bonding obligations can still attach to a given job.

General liability

BCD does not impose a state-level general liability minimum on individual plumbers. CCB Plumbing Specialty Contractor business registrations follow the standard CCB liability schedule ($500,000 residential / $1M–$2M commercial).

Workers' compensation

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

Additional financial requirements

Self-employed plumbers operating as a CCB Plumbing Specialty Contractor must file the standard CCB surety bond ($20,000 residential or $75,000–$200,000 commercial).

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Examination	$85
Initial license	$100
Renewal (every 3 years)	$195

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Oregon Journeyman Plumber and Plumbing Contractor Business License runs on a 3 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $195. Oregon Journeyman Plumber licenses renew every three years. Lapsed licenses require reinstatement and may require re-examination after extended lapses.

Continuing education: 16 hours of BCD-approved code-update continuing education each three-year renewal cycle, including a mandatory Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code update module.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Oregon does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Washington	Trade exam waived	Bilateral BCD–Washington L&I reciprocity for active journeyman plumbers in good standing.
Idaho	Trade exam waived	Bilateral BCD–Idaho Division of Building Safety reciprocity for active journeyman plumbers.
Montana	Trade exam waived	Bilateral BCD–Montana Department of Labor reciprocity for active journeyman plumbers.

Oregon BCD maintains bilateral journeyman plumber reciprocity with Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Reciprocal applicants must apply through BCD and pay the standard fees.

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

The Application Roadmap

Enroll in a registered plumbing apprenticeship. Register through the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) Apprenticeship and Training Division with a state-approved program sponsor.
Complete the apprenticeship OJT. Accumulate a minimum of 3,850 hours of qualifying on-the-job plumbing training under a licensed Journeyman Plumber.
Complete related classroom instruction. Finish the Related Training Instruction required by the apprenticeship standards.
Apply to BCD for the journeyman exam. Submit the BCD application with the apprenticeship completion certificate, RTI transcripts, and the exam fee.
Pass the Journeyman Plumber examination at 75%. Score 75% or better on the 80-question exam covering the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code and Oregon rules.
Receive the Journeyman Plumber license. BCD issues the Journeyman Plumber license. The license must be renewed every three years with continuing education.
Optional: Plumbing Contractor Business License + CCB. For self-employment, apply for the BCD Plumbing Contractor Business License and file a CCB Plumbing Specialty Contractor registration.

Pre-Application Checklist

Before submitting to BCD, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ BOLI-registered plumbing apprenticeship enrollment
☐ Minimum 3,850 hours of documented on-the-job training
☐ Related classroom instruction transcripts
☐ BCD Journeyman Plumber application with $100 fee
☐ PSI Journeyman Plumber exam pass certificate at 75%+
☐ Plumbing Contractor Business License + CCB registration (if self-employed)
☐ Workers compensation coverage certificate (if employing workers)

Where Applications Stall

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost Oregon Plumber applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

Skipping the registered apprenticeship

Oregon requires a BOLI-registered plumbing apprenticeship. Informal experience does not count toward the 3,850-hour requirement.

Underestimating the Oregon amendments

The exam tests Oregon-specific amendments to the Uniform Plumbing Code. Studying only the UPC is not sufficient to pass.

Confusing journeyman with business license

A Journeyman Plumber license alone does not authorize self-employment. Self-employed plumbers need a Plumbing Contractor Business License plus a CCB registration.

Letting continuing education lapse

16 hours of CE every three years is mandatory. Missing CE blocks renewal and forces a reinstatement application.

Missing the CCB registration

Plumbing work performed for compensation in Oregon requires a CCB registration in addition to the BCD Plumbing Contractor Business License. Operating without CCB registration bars the contractor from collecting on contracts.

Recommended Study Materials

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code — Oregon Building Codes Division. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO) — International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. Base code underlying the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code.
ORS Chapter 693 and OAR Chapter 918 — State of Oregon. Plumbing licensing law and administrative rules.

Other Oregon Trade Licenses

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

Common Questions

How long does it take to become a licensed plumber in Oregon?

Four years. Oregon requires a BOLI-registered plumbing apprenticeship with a minimum of 3,850 hours of on-the-job training plus the related classroom instruction before sitting for the Journeyman Plumber examination.

What is the difference between a Journeyman Plumber and a Plumbing Contractor Business License?

The Journeyman Plumber license authorizes an individual to perform plumbing work on the job. The Plumbing Contractor Business License authorizes a business entity to bid, contract, and employ plumbers. Self-employed plumbers need both plus a CCB Plumbing Specialty Contractor registration.

Does Oregon reciprocate plumber licenses?

Yes. BCD maintains bilateral journeyman plumber reciprocity agreements with Washington, Idaho, and Montana for active license holders in good standing.

Which code does Oregon use for plumbing?

The Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, which is the Uniform Plumbing Code with Oregon-specific amendments adopted by BCD. The exam tests both the base code and the Oregon amendments.

How often does the Oregon journeyman plumber license renew?

Every three years. Renewal requires 16 hours of BCD-approved code-update continuing education each cycle.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-07 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-05