Oregon Solar Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Oregon is one of the most solar-friendly states from a licensing perspective. The Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) issues the Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT) license under ORS 479.630, which authorizes installation of solar photovoltaic systems, small wind turbines, and other renewable energy equipment. Solar businesses must additionally register as a contractor with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Solar thermal water heating falls under the Limited Renewable Energy Technician scope for solar water heating as well. NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is the industry standard and is widely expected in Oregon but is not state-mandated.

The Licensing Authority

Licensing for this trade is governed by Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB), the agency that issues and regulates the credential under 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

Baseline Eligibility

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). No Oregon residency requirement.

Good moral character

CCB and BCD review criminal history under ORS 670.280.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience and Education Requirements

At least two years (4,000 hours) of solar PV installation experience under a licensed Oregon LRT or Journeyman Electrician has to be evidenced and confirmed. Retain payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records, since the board may audit the experience claimed.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

BCD LRT experience affidavits signed by Oregon electricians
Certified payroll covering the qualifying period
NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification (counts toward experience)

Education substitution

BCD-approved LRT training program substitutes for portions of the experience requirement.

The Licensing Examination

The exam, administered by PSI Services LLC (under contract to BCD), breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

Oregon LRT Examination — NEC Article 690, Oregon amendments — 80 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $85 examination fee.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken after 30 days.

Financial Security and Insurance

A $20,000 surety bond, in the form prescribed by the CCB, must be posted as a condition of licensure.

General liability

CCB residential contractor requires $500,000 commercial general liability. Commercial level 1 requires $1,000,000.

Workers' compensation

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

Additional financial requirements

CCB requires proof of the bond but no financial statement.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$250
Examination	$85
Initial license	$250
Renewal (every 2 years)	$250

License Renewal

The Oregon CCB Residential/Commercial Contractor + BCD Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT) must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $250. CCB registration renews every two years; BCD LRT renews every three years.

Continuing education: BCD requires 24 hours of CE every three years for LRT.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Oregon Solar 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
Washington	Trade exam waived	Limited BCD–L&I reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) for electrical credentials.

Oregon maintains limited electrical credential reciprocity (electrical only; not a solar license) with Washington.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Document two years of solar PV experience. Compile BCD LRT experience affidavits and payroll records.
Submit the BCD LRT application. File with the $85 exam fee.
Pass the LRT examination at 75%. PSI administers the exam.
Register as a contractor with the CCB. Residential or Commercial endorsement depending on scope.
Post the $20,000 CCB bond ($10K residential limited). Required by CCB for all contractors.
File the certificate of insurance. $500K CGL minimum for residential.
Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each Oregon jurisdiction requires local permits and BCD inspections.

Before Filing: A Checklist

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

☐ Two years of documented solar PV experience
☐ BCD LRT application + $85 exam fee
☐ Pass LRT exam at 75%+
☐ CCB contractor registration
☐ $20,000 CCB bond ($10K for residential limited)
☐ $500K commercial general liability insurance minimum
☐ Workers' compensation coverage

Common Application Pitfalls

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

Forgetting CCB registration

BCD LRT alone is not enough — you must also register as a contractor with CCB.

Picking residential limited when you need residential general

Bond and insurance scale by endorsement.

Letting the CCB bond lapse

CCB will suspend the registration immediately upon bond cancellation.

Missing the 24-hour CE

Mandatory every three years and audited.

Skipping BCD inspection

Every PV project requires a BCD or municipal electrical inspection before energization.

Preparation Resources

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
Oregon Electrical Specialty Code — BCD. State amendments to the NEC.
BCD LRT Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Other Oregon Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional Oregon trades; the published ones are listed here:

Answers to Common Questions

Does Oregon have a solar license?

Yes. The BCD Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT) is a dedicated solar PV license. CCB contractor registration is also required.

Is NABCEP required?

No, but widely expected by Oregon utilities and incentive programs.

How does the LRT differ from a Journeyman Electrician?

The LRT is limited to solar PV and other renewable energy systems. A Journeyman Electrician has unlimited scope but requires more training.

What about solar thermal?

Solar water heating is included in the LRT scope.

Does Oregon reciprocate?

Yes. Oregon maintains limited electrical reciprocity (electrical only; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with Washington.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-17 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-15