Oregon Electrical Contractor License
In Oregon, you first secure a CCB contractor license (exam, bond, and insurance) and then apply to the Building Codes Division for the Electrical Contractor (C) license, designating a supervising electrician. This guide details exact fees, forms, bond/insurance minimums, renewals, and citations.
To get a electrical contractor license in Oregon, you must hold an active CCB contractor license (with the proper endorsement, bond, and insurance), then apply to the Building Codes Division for the Electrical Contractor (C) license, designating a signing supervising electrician. Expect a $375 BCD fee plus CCB costs. CCB; BCD; Business Xpress.
Requirements last verified: 2026-11-01
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Business license: Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Trade business license: Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Electrical Contractor (C). CCB; BCD. |
| Fees | BCD Electrical Contractor (C): $375. Business Xpress; form shows same. BCD Form 440‑2888. CCB: $60 exam; $400 initial 2‑year license (since July 1, 2025). CCB fees. |
| Experience/qualifier | Must continuously employ a full‑time signing Supervising Electrician (typically General Supervising Electrician) as the responsible individual. OAR 918‑282‑0010; duties in OAR 918‑282‑0140 and contractor responsibilities in OAR 918‑282‑0015. |
| Exam | CCB: 16‑hour pre‑license training + Oregon exam ($60) for the Responsible Managing Individual (RMI). No separate BCD contractor exam; the supervising electrician holds the required BCD electrician license. CCB pre‑license. |
| Minimum age | RMI must be at least 18 years old to obtain the CCB license. CCB. |
| Insurance & bond (CCB) | Residential General: $25,000 bond and $500,000 GL per occurrence. Commercial General Level 1: $80,000 bond and $2,000,000 GL aggregate. Amounts vary by endorsement; see CCB tables. Bond amounts; GL minimums. |
| Renewal | BCD Electrical Contractor (C): every 3 years on July 1. Business Xpress. CCB: every 2 years; residential endorsements require CE. CCB CE; CCB renewal. |
| Forms | BCD Contractor/Business License Application (Form 440‑2888). Form 440‑2888. Apply via BCD process page. BCD apply. |
How to get a electrical contractor license in Oregon
- Decide your CCB endorsement(s). Choose residential and/or commercial endorsements to match the work you’ll perform; bond and GL insurance limits depend on this selection. CCB endorsement & bond table.
- Complete CCB pre‑license training and exam. Your Responsible Managing Individual (RMI) must finish 16 hours with an approved provider and pass the Oregon exam ($60). CCB pre‑license & exam.
- Form your business and register the name. File your entity/ABN with the Oregon Secretary of State, then purchase the required CCB surety bond and general liability insurance for your endorsement. CCB bond/insurance.
- Apply for your CCB license online. Submit the application with $400 fee (two‑year license), bond (with POA), and certificate of liability insurance. CCB fees & steps.
- Designate your Signing Supervising Electrician. Hire or employ a full‑time General Supervising Electrician (or other qualifying supervisor as allowed) who will sign permits and supervise installations. OAR 918‑282‑0010; OAR 918‑282‑0140.
- Apply to BCD for the Electrical Contractor (C) license. File BCD Form 440‑2888 and list your CCB license and designated supervisor; pay the $375 fee. BCD apply; Form 440‑2888; fee reference: Business Xpress.
- Pull permits and maintain compliance. Electrical permits must be signed by your supervising electrician; keep your CCB bond/insurance and BCD supervisor current. OAR 918‑309‑0000.
Oregon electrical contractor license: cost breakdown
Budget at minimum: $60 for the CCB exam; $400 for the initial two‑year CCB license; surety bond premium (varies by credit and endorsement); general liability insurance premium (endorsement‑based limits); and $375 to BCD for the Electrical Contractor (C) license. See official fee schedules above. For more cost context, compare our overview of Oregon electrical contractor license costs, and if you also do mechanical work, review HVAC contractor license costs in Oregon.
Who can serve as the supervising electrician?
Oregon requires a continuously employed full‑time signing supervising electrician for each electrical contractor. This person directs, supervises, and signs permits for installations within their license scope (e.g., General Supervising Electrician). OAR 918‑282‑0010; OAR 918‑282‑0140.
CCB bond and insurance you’ll need
Your CCB endorsement determines the bond and general liability minimums (for example, Residential General: $25,000 bond and $500,000 GL per occurrence; Commercial General Level 1: $80,000 bond and $2,000,000 GL aggregate). Verify your category in the CCB tables. Bond amounts; GL minimums.
Renewing and staying compliant
Renew the BCD Electrical Contractor (C) license every three years on July 1; renew the CCB license every two years and complete residential continuing education if applicable. Keep your supervising electrician designation, bond, and insurance uninterrupted. Business Xpress (BCD renewal); CCB renewal; CCB CE.
Related Oregon contractor pathways
If your scope includes HVAC/R maintenance or installation, Oregon may require additional or alternative BCD licenses. See our step‑by‑step guide to the Oregon HVAC contractor license for process, exams, and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master electrician to get licensed in Oregon?
Oregon doesn’t use the “master” title. Instead, each electrical contractor must continuously employ a signing Supervising Electrician who directs work and signs permits. Typically this is a General Supervising Electrician. OAR 918‑282‑0010; OAR 918‑282‑0140.
What does the Oregon electrical contractor license cost?
Plan for $60 (CCB exam), $400 (initial CCB license, two years), bond premium and GL insurance premium (amounts depend on endorsement), and $375 to BCD for the Electrical Contractor (C) license. See official fee and requirement pages for details. CCB fees; BCD fee.
How long does BCD electrical contractor approval take?
Oregon’s Business Xpress lists typical BCD contractor license processing at about 1–3 days for complete applications. CCB processing varies by method and completeness. Business Xpress (processing time); CCB steps.
What are the CCB insurance and bond minimums?
They vary by endorsement. Examples: Residential General Contractor requires a $25,000 bond and $500,000 GL per occurrence; Commercial General Level 1 requires an $80,000 bond and $2,000,000 GL aggregate. Check your category in the CCB tables. Bond amounts; GL minimums.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes. The Responsible Managing Individual for the CCB license must be at least 18 years old and must complete the pre‑license training and exam. CCB.
Ready to move forward? License Navigator streamlines every step — from picking your CCB endorsement to assembling your BCD packet — so you can launch faster and stay compliant in Oregon.
Want it filed for you? Talk to a licensing expert
Published by
About this publication
Licensing Navigator researches business licensing requirements and organizes them into practical, state-by-state guidance. Our pages are research aids, not legal advice.