Oregon HVAC Contractor License: How To

Direct answer (49 words): To learn how to get a HVAC contractor license in Oregon, form your business, complete the CCB 16‑hour pre‑license course, pass the PSI CCB exam, secure the required bond and liability insurance, apply for a two‑year CCB license, and, if doing HVAC/R service work, obtain the BCD LHR mechanical business license.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-18

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Business licensure through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); certain HVAC/R maintenance/service scopes also require a Building Codes Division (BCD) mechanical business license (LHR or combination PBH). CCB license overview; BCD contractor/business licenses.
Pre-license training & exam	16 hours of approved CCB pre-license training and an Oregon PSI law/business exam (80 questions, open-book). The exam is based on NASCLA’s Oregon-edition Business & Law. CCB pre-license & exam info; exam basis and steps.
Minimum age	18 years for the CCB license/Responsible Managing Individual (RMI). CCB eligibility.
Fees (CCB)	$400 two‑year CCB license application/renewal fee in effect since July 1, 2025. CCB license fee; CCB fee increase notice.
Bond (CCB)	Residential Specialty Contractor bond $20,000 (increased by HB 2922 effective Jan. 1, 2024). Choose endorsement to fit HVAC scope. CCB bond chart; 2023 Or Laws ch.254 (HB 2922).
General liability insurance (CCB)	Minimum per endorsement; e.g., Residential Specialty Contractor: $300,000 per occurrence (RGC $500,000, RLC $100,000). Provide certificate listing CCB as holder. CCB insurance minimums; CCB endorsement chart.
Workers’ compensation	Required if you have employees; submit proof to CCB. CCB workers’ comp guidance.
HVAC/R mechanical business license (BCD)	For HVAC/R maintenance/service, obtain the Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor HVAC/R (LHR) business license (3‑year renewal on July 1; $75 per Business Xpress). Combination license PBH (Plumbing & Boiler business + LHR) listed at $720 on Form 440‑2888. Business Xpress – LHR; BCD Form 440‑2888.
Experience hours	No trade experience hours for residential CCB licensure; some commercial endorsements require documented experience. CCB guide (endorsement requirements).
Continuing education	Residential CCB licensees must complete 8 hours of CE each two‑year period to renew (with statutory exemptions). ORS 701.082.
Renewal cycle	CCB license: every 2 years. OAR 812‑003‑0290. BCD LHR: every 3 years on July 1. Business Xpress – LHR.

How to get a HVAC contractor license in Oregon

1. Choose your business structure and name. Form/register your entity with the Oregon Secretary of State, then determine the correct CCB endorsement (Residential Specialty is typical for HVAC). CCB license steps; endorsement chart.
2. Complete the 16‑hour CCB pre‑license course. Take an approved provider course that prepares you for the Oregon law/business exam. CCB pre‑license providers.
3. Pass the PSI CCB exam. Schedule after your provider notifies PSI; the open‑book exam covers the Oregon NASCLA Business & Law content. Keep your score report. exam details.
4. Secure your CCB bond and insurance. Obtain the required surety bond (e.g., $20,000 for Residential Specialty) and general liability minimums (e.g., $300,000 per occurrence for Residential Specialty). bond amounts; insurance minimums.
5. Apply for your two‑year CCB license. Submit the completed CCB application with $400 fee, exam proof, bond, insurance certificate, and RMI details. apply with CCB.
6. Obtain your BCD HVAC/R license if applicable. If you perform HVAC/R maintenance/service under mechanical codes, file BCD’s Contractor/Business License Application for the LHR (or combination PBH). BCD contractor licenses; LHR profile; Form 440‑2888.
7. Pull permits and follow local fee schedules. Mechanical permits and fees are set by the local jurisdiction per Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code/BCD rules. OMSC Chapter 1 (fees); ePermitting hub.
8. Maintain compliance and renew on time. Track bond/insurance, workers’ comp (if employees), 8 hours of CE for residential CCB renewal every two years, and BCD LHR renewal every three years. ORS 701.082; LHR renewal.

Oregon HVAC contractor license: who needs CCB vs. BCD?

Nearly all businesses that bid, contract, or advertise HVAC work in Oregon must hold a CCB contractor license with an appropriate endorsement. For HVAC/R maintenance and service scopes under the state mechanical code, a BCD business license such as LHR (or a combination license like PBH) is also required. Always match permits and endorsements to the actual scope of work. CCB requirements; BCD license list.

Exact 2026 costs to get licensed for HVAC work

Your baseline outlay includes the CCB’s $400 two‑year license fee, a surety bond sized to your endorsement (e.g., $20,000 for Residential Specialty after HB 2922), and general liability insurance minimums (e.g., $300,000 per occurrence for Residential Specialty). If you’ll do HVAC/R maintenance/service, add the BCD LHR license (three‑year cycle; $75 shown in the state’s Business Xpress directory). Combination scopes like PBH (Plumbing & Boiler + LHR) are listed at $720 on BCD Form 440‑2888. CCB fee; bond chart; HB 2922; insurance minimums; LHR profile; Form 440‑2888. For a deeper cost breakdown and budgeting tips, see our analysis in HVAC Contractor License Cost in Oregon.

How Oregon’s CCB exam and education work

The CCB requires an approved 16‑hour pre‑license course and a PSI‑administered Oregon law/business exam. The RMI who passes the exam must be an owner/employee who manages day‑to‑day construction activities. Some applicants with significant verified experience may qualify for limited training exemptions under law. pre‑license & PSI; RMI and exam; special exemption (Oregon Laws 2018 ch.46).

Permits, inspections, and local mechanical fees

HVAC installations typically require mechanical permits, with fees set locally under the Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code and BCD fee rules. Obtain permits before work begins to avoid investigation fees and delays. OMSC Chapter 1; BCD ePermitting hub.

Staying compliant after you’re licensed

Display your CCB number in ads and contracts, keep your bond and insurance active, maintain workers’ comp (if you have employees), complete residential CE (8 hours/2 years), and renew BCD LHR every three years. CCB contractor tools; two‑year term; LHR renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do individual HVAC technicians need a separate Oregon license?

Oregon licenses HVAC contracting businesses through the CCB and, for mechanical scopes, BCD business licenses. Individual trade licenses may be needed only if you also perform regulated electrical or plumbing work. Always align permits, endorsements, and supervising licenses to your scope. CCB; BCD.

What are the current CCB bond and insurance minimums for HVAC?

For a Residential Specialty Contractor (common for HVAC), the bond is $20,000 (since Jan. 1, 2024) and the liability minimum is $300,000 per occurrence. Other endorsements have different limits. bond chart; insurance minimums.

How much is the Oregon CCB license fee in 2026?

$400 for a two‑year license (new or renewal), effective July 1, 2025. CCB fee; fee notice.

Do I also need a BCD HVAC/R business license?

If you’ll perform HVAC/R maintenance or service subject to the mechanical code, yes—apply for the LHR (three‑year renewal on July 1). Combination scopes (e.g., PBH) are available. LHR profile; Form 440‑2888.

What continuing education is required to renew?

Residential CCB licensees must complete 8 hours of CE every two years to renew, with certain statutory exemptions. Keep documentation for audit. ORS 701.082.

If you’re comparing Oregon licensing pathways across industries, our guides to investigative licensing outline different steps, fees, and renewal calendars—see how to become a private investigator in Oregon and the Oregon private investigator license cost breakdown.

Ready to move from research to action? License Navigator can build your Oregon HVAC licensing checklist, track bond/insurance dates, and prep your CCB/BCD packets so you can win jobs faster.