Oregon Electrical Contractor License
Oregon’s core electrical contractor license costs are a $375 BCD Electrical Contractor (C) fee, plus CCB items: $60 exam, $400 two‑year license fee, required bond, and liability insurance. You must also employ a General Supervising Electrician and track BCD three‑year and CCB two‑year renewals.
The electrical contractor license cost in Oregon centers on a $375 Building Codes Division (BCD) Electrical Contractor (C) application fee, plus Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) costs: a $60 exam, a $400 two‑year license fee (since July 1, 2025), required bond (amount varies by endorsement), and liability insurance.
Requirements last verified: 2026-10-27
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Business license: Oregon DCBS – Building Codes Division (Electrical Contractor “C”). Separate business licensure with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) is also required before contracting with the public. BCD contractor/business licenses · CCB license overview |
| Primary state fee (BCD) | $375 application fee for Electrical Contractor (C). See Form 440‑2888, Step 2 “Electrical contractor (C) 70111 $375.” BCD Form 440‑2888 |
| CCB fees | $60 pre‑license exam (paid to exam provider) and $400 two‑year CCB license fee (effective 7/1/2025). CCB fees and exam |
| Bond (CCB) | Minimum bonds by endorsement: Residential GC $25,000; Residential Specialty $20,000; Residential Limited $15,000; Commercial GC Level 1 $80,000; Commercial Specialty Level 1 $55,000; Commercial GC/Spec Level 2 $25,000; Commercial Developer $25,000. CCB bond table (HB 2922) |
| Insurance (CCB) | General liability insurance required (amounts vary by endorsement/provider). CCB insurance & bond resources |
| Supervising electrician | You must continuously employ at least one full‑time General Supervising Electrician (S). OAR 918‑282‑0010 |
| Exam for contractor license | No BCD business‑license exam. CCB requires 16 hours of pre‑license training and a $60 exam. Individual electrician exams are separate. CCB pre‑license + exam · BCD individual electrical licenses |
| Minimum age | At least 18 to be a contractor in Oregon (CCB). CCB guide (p. 2) |
| Processing time | Typical state estimate: 1–3 days for BCD once application is complete; CCB timing varies. Business Xpress – Electrical Contractor (C) |
| Renewal | BCD Electrical Contractor: renew every three years on July 1. Business Xpress – renewal cycle · CCB license renewal: $400 every two years. CCB fees |
How to calculate your electrical contractor license cost in Oregon
- Budget for BCD’s Electrical Contractor fee: $375 due with your BCD Contractor/Business License Application. Form 440‑2888
- Obtain your CCB license: complete 16 hours of pre‑license training (provider‑set pricing), pass the $60 CCB exam, and pay the $400 two‑year license fee. CCB steps and fees
- Choose the right CCB endorsement and bond: use the CCB bond table to see your exact bond minimum (e.g., $25,000 Residential GC; $80,000 Commercial GC Level 1). Premiums vary by credit/surety. CCB bond amounts
- Carry required general liability insurance: limits depend on your endorsement and business risk; shop carriers for quotes. CCB insurance guidance
- Designate a General Supervising Electrician (S): Oregon requires you to continuously employ at least one full‑time S to hold the contractor license. OAR 918‑282‑0010
- Submit your complete BCD packet and track processing: BCD typically turns complete applications in about 1–3 days; incomplete packets delay approval. Business Xpress listing
- Plan renewals: mark the BCD three‑year (July 1) cycle and the CCB two‑year $400 renewal to avoid lapses. CCB renewal fee · BCD renewal timing
Electrical contractor license cost in Oregon: what each line item covers
Your BCD fee buys the actual Electrical Contractor (C) license to perform and pull permits. CCB fees license your business to contract with consumers statewide and require you to maintain a bond and liability insurance. Bond amounts are fixed by CCB endorsement (not revenue), while bond premiums depend on credit and surety underwriting. See the state bond table for exact amounts: $15,000–$80,000 depending on residential/commercial level. CCB bond table · BCD fee schedule
Do you also need a supervising electrician? Yes—and it affects cost
Oregon requires every electrical contractor to continuously employ at least one full‑time General Supervising Electrician (S). That role’s exam and renewal costs are part of your staffing overhead, not your contractor license fee. The rule is explicit in OAR 918‑282‑0010. For individual licensing and exam details, see BCD’s Electrical individual license page.
Compare trade licensing costs in Oregon
If you’re budgeting across multiple trades, our breakdown of HVAC contractor license costs in Oregon shows how CCB fees, bonds, and BCD trade licenses stack up. And if you’re still weighing entry steps, walk through the full process in our Oregon HVAC contractor how‑to guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the total state cost to start an Oregon electrical contracting business?
Expect $375 for the BCD Electrical Contractor license, $60 for the CCB exam, and $400 for your initial two‑year CCB license. Add your CCB bond premium (based on a $15,000–$80,000 bond amount by endorsement) and general liability insurance. Sources: BCD Form 440‑2888, CCB fees, CCB bond table.
Is there a BCD exam for the Electrical Contractor (business) license?
No. The BCD business license has no exam, but you must continuously employ a General Supervising Electrician (S). CCB requires separate pre‑license training and a $60 exam to obtain your contracting business license. Sources: OAR 918‑282‑0010, CCB pre‑license.
How often do I renew, and what are the renewal costs?
BCD Electrical Contractor licenses renew every three years on July 1 (fee stated on the renewal notice). The CCB license renews every two years and costs $400 as of July 1, 2025. Sources: Business Xpress – renewal cycle, CCB renewal fee.
What bond amount applies to my electrical contracting company?
It depends on your CCB endorsement: Residential GC $25,000; Residential Specialty $20,000; Residential Limited $15,000; Commercial GC L1 $80,000; Commercial Specialty L1 $55,000; Commercial GC/Spec L2 $25,000; Commercial Developer $25,000. Your premium is set by your surety. Source: CCB bond amounts (HB 2922).
How long does BCD take to issue the Electrical Contractor license?
Business Xpress (Oregon’s official license directory) lists typical processing of 1–3 days for complete applications, but incomplete packets can delay approval. Source: Business Xpress – Electrical Contractor (C).
Ready to model your exact out‑of‑pocket costs and build a step‑by‑step plan? License Navigator can map your BCD and CCB fees, bond, and insurance quotes into a simple budget and timeline.
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