Oregon CCB License Lookup: Verify Contractor Credentials Before You Hire
Use the Oregon Construction Contractors Board contractor search to confirm a business is currently licensed, match the CCB number to the correct legal entity, identify the contractor’s endorsement and review bond, insurance and available complaint or disciplinary information.
For the strongest match, search with the CCB license number shown on the contractor’s bid, website, business card or advertising. If you do not have it, the official system also supports business-name, contractor last-name and some business-phone searches.
Quick Answer: How to Use the Oregon CCB License Lookup
Open the official Oregon CCB Contractor License Search and enter the CCB license number whenever possible. The state search identifies the CCB number as the most accurate way to find the correct contractor.
If you do not have the number, enter all or part of the business name or the contractor’s last name. Some business telephone numbers are searchable when entered as digits only. The search requires at least two letters or numbers and allows you to search all records or active records only.
After locating a record, confirm more than the name. Check current status, legal business identity, endorsement, bond information, proof of liability insurance, workers’ compensation information where relevant, lead-safe authority when applicable and any available complaint or disciplinary information.
VerificationLicense.org is not the Oregon Construction Contractors Board and does not issue, renew or suspend Oregon contractor licenses. Use the live CCB record for final licensing and compliance decisions.
Start with the CCB number
Oregon contractors must place their CCB number on advertising, including brochures, websites and business cards. Ask for the number if it is not clearly displayed.
Shorter searches can work better
If an exact business name fails, try a distinctive portion of the name. Differences in punctuation, spacing or legal business suffixes can prevent an expected match.
Active does not mean skilled
An active CCB record confirms licensing status. It does not guarantee workmanship, pricing, project management, references or suitability for your particular job.
Oregon Contractor License Lookup: Step-by-Step
Use this workflow before signing a contract, paying a deposit, approving a subcontractor or accepting a claim that a contractor is licensed, bonded and insured.
Collect the CCB license number
Check the bid, estimate, contract, website, business card, vehicle or advertisement. Ask the contractor for the number if it is missing.
Open the official CCB Contractor License Search
Use the Oregon Construction Contractors Board’s public search rather than treating a third-party directory as the final authority.
Select the appropriate search type
Choose Active Records Only when checking a contractor who is currently offering work. Choose All Records when researching an older or inactive contractor record.
Search by license number first
The CCB license number is the strongest identifier. If it is unavailable, use all or part of the business name, contractor’s last name or an eligible business phone number entered with digits only.
Open the exact matching record
Compare the business identity and CCB number with the contractor who gave you the estimate. Similar names are not enough.
Confirm status and endorsement
Make sure the license is active and the endorsement fits the type of structure and construction work involved.
Review bond, insurance and history
Check the bond and liability-insurance information, workers’ compensation information where relevant, lead-safe authority for covered work and any public complaint or disciplinary information shown.
Keep a dated verification record
For an important project, save the date checked, official source, business name, CCB number, status, endorsement and other material details you reviewed.
How to Read an Oregon CCB Contractor Record
A successful search result is not the end of the verification process. Compare the fields below before deciding whether the record supports the contractor’s claims.
| Record item | Why it matters | What to check | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| License status | Shows whether the contractor currently appears licensed. | Confirm the status is active on the date you rely on it. | Using an old certificate or screenshot. |
| Legal business name | The licensed entity should match the business offering the work. | Compare the official name with the bid, contract and payment instructions. | Paying a different company or individual. |
| CCB number | Distinguishes businesses with similar names. | Match the number on the bid or advertisement to the official record. | Assuming a displayed number belongs to the advertiser. |
| Endorsement | The permitted scope differs by residential, commercial and restricted endorsement. | Confirm the endorsement fits your structure and project. | Treating every CCB license as unlimited authority. |
| Surety bond | CCB requires bonds in amounts tied to the endorsement. | Review the required bond information and any issue shown in the record. | Treating a bond as a workmanship warranty. |
| Liability insurance | Contractors must maintain required general liability coverage. | Confirm the licensing record reflects the required insurance information. | Assuming insurance automatically covers poor work. |
| Workers’ compensation | Employee status can create workers’ compensation requirements. | Review coverage information when the contractor uses employees. | Ignoring coverage on crew-based work. |
| Lead-safe authority | Covered renovation on pre-1978 property can require additional lead-based paint credentials. | Verify the applicable lead-safe credential separately when necessary. | Assuming the base CCB license covers every lead activity. |
| Complaints or discipline | Past regulatory issues can provide useful context. | Review available CCB complaints or disciplinary actions from the past 10 years. | Checking only whether the license says active. |
A CCB surety bond may respond to a qualifying final order when the contractor fails to pay, up to the applicable bond amount. General liability insurance addresses covered third-party property damage or injury and does not automatically reimburse a customer for poor workmanship or construction defects.
What an Oregon CCB License Actually Means
Oregon generally requires covered contractors to be licensed
Businesses working for compensation in construction activity involving improvements to real property generally need licensing through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board unless a specific exemption applies.
The record provides regulatory information
Consumers can use the CCB record to examine active status, bond information, insurance information, workers’ compensation data, lead-safe licensing when relevant and public history.
CCB status does not prove construction quality
Except for plumbers, electricians and certain other regulated trades, Oregon does not generally require construction-skill training as part of basic CCB licensing. References and examples of work still matter.
Electrical and plumbing licensing is handled through Oregon’s Building Codes Division. Landscape contracting uses the Landscape Contractors Board, and asbestos-abatement licensing is handled through Oregon DEQ. A contractor may need both CCB authority and a separate specialty credential.
Oregon CCB Endorsements: Match the License to the Job
The endorsement tells you more about what the licensed contractor can do. An active license with the wrong endorsement can still be a problem.
Residential General Contractor
A Residential General Contractor may perform or arrange an unlimited number of unrelated building trades involving residential and small-commercial structures.
Residential Specialty Contractor
A Residential Specialty Contractor generally works in one or two unrelated building trades. Three or more unrelated trades on one property are permitted only when the labor-and-material contract is $2,500 or less.
Residential Limited Contractor
This endorsement is designed for limited-volume contracting. Current limits include expected annual construction sales below $40,000, contracts no larger than $5,000 and no more than $5,000 of work per job site per year.
Commercial General Level 1 or Level 2
Commercial general contractors can perform broad commercial work. Level 1 and Level 2 have the same general work scope but different experience, bond and liability-insurance requirements.
Commercial Specialty Level 1 or Level 2
Commercial specialty contractors operate within narrower trade scopes. Level 1 and Level 2 differ primarily in qualification and financial-security requirements rather than basic trade scope.
Restricted residential endorsements
Home services, residential locksmith, home inspector, home energy performance and residential restoration endorsements authorize narrow services. Do not treat them as general construction authority.
A contractor that performs both residential and large-commercial work may need both residential and commercial endorsements, separate residential and commercial surety bonds and liability insurance at the higher applicable required amount.
Oregon CCB Bond and Liability Insurance Minimums
These are current licensing minimums tied to endorsement. The required amount does not tell you whether the contractor’s coverage is sufficient for the value or risk of your particular project.
| CCB endorsement | Minimum bond | Minimum liability insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Residential General | $25,000 | $500,000 per occurrence |
| Residential Specialty | $20,000 | $300,000 per occurrence |
| Residential Limited | $15,000 | $100,000 per occurrence |
| Residential Developer | $25,000 | $500,000 per occurrence |
| Home Services | $15,000 | $100,000 per occurrence |
| Residential Locksmith Services | $15,000 | $100,000 per occurrence |
| Home Inspector Services | $15,000 | $100,000 per occurrence |
| Home Energy Performance Score | $15,000 | $100,000 per occurrence |
| Residential Restoration | $15,000 | $100,000 per occurrence |
| Commercial General Level 1 | $80,000 | $2,000,000 aggregate |
| Commercial General Level 2 | $25,000 | $1,000,000 aggregate |
| Commercial Specialty Level 1 | $55,000 | $1,000,000 aggregate |
| Commercial Specialty Level 2 | $25,000 | $500,000 per occurrence |
| Commercial Developer | $25,000 | $500,000 per occurrence |
A surety bond operates under Oregon’s claim and final-order rules. It should not be treated as equivalent to project insurance, a warranty or an automatic fund available whenever a homeowner is dissatisfied.
What to Check Before Hiring an Oregon Contractor
The best contractor screening combines the live CCB record with a clear written project file.
Verification checklist
- Legal business name from the official record.
- Exact CCB license number.
- Active status on the date checked.
- Correct residential or commercial endorsement.
- Applicable surety-bond information.
- Liability-insurance information.
- Workers’ compensation status where employees are involved.
- Lead-safe authority for covered pre-1978 work.
- Available complaint and disciplinary history.
- Separate trade credential when required.
Weak forms of proof
- An old CCB certificate.
- A number printed on a truck without verifying it.
- “Licensed, bonded and insured” marketing language.
- A private directory profile.
- Online reviews instead of state licensing records.
- A business registration used as proof of CCB licensing.
- A verbal statement about insurance.
- A payment request to a different person or entity.
Oregon CCB guidance states that residential construction contracts exceeding $2,000 must be in writing. If an initially smaller contract later rises above $2,000, the contractor must provide a written contract within five days after knowing or reasonably knowing that the price will exceed the threshold.
CCB consumer guidance recommends written contracts, careful payment schedules and checks made to the business named in the contract rather than cash payments or payments to an unrelated person.
For work across the state line, use the Washington Contractor License Verification guide. An Oregon CCB license does not establish Washington contractor registration.
Oregon CCB Application, License Fees and Renewal
Contractors checking their own status may need to renew, reactivate, change an endorsement or submit a new license application.
| Transaction | Current fee | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor license exam | $60 | Paid directly to the exam provider when the standard contractor exam applies. |
| Initial CCB contractor application | $400 | The $400 initial fee applies to new applications beginning July 1, 2025. |
| CCB license renewal | $400 | The standard license period is two years. |
| Endorsement change | $20 | Additional bond or insurance documentation may be required for the new endorsement. |
| License inactivation | $20 | Use the formal CCB process rather than simply allowing compliance items to lapse. |
| License reactivation | $20 | Bond, insurance and other applicable requirements still need to be satisfied. |
Many applicants need an RMI
For standard contractor endorsements, the Responsible Managing Individual completes 16 hours of pre-license training and passes the Oregon contractor exam.
Bond and insurance must accompany the application
CCB instructs applicants to submit the required bond with power of attorney and insurance certificate with the application rather than sending them separately.
New applications can take six to eight weeks
CCB currently advises applicants that processing can take approximately six to eight weeks and recommends submitting complete documents as early as possible.
Complaint History and Oregon CCB Dispute Deadlines
If a contractor record shows a concern, or a problem develops during a project, check the CCB complaint rules quickly. Several deadlines are measured from completion, occupancy or when work stopped.
Property-owner deadline
For allegations involving breach of contract, negligence or improper construction on an existing structure, the complaint generally must be received within one year after substantial completion or the date the work ceased.
Earlier of two deadlines
For a new structure, a property-owner complaint generally must be received within one year after first occupancy or two years after substantial completion, whichever occurs earlier.
30-day pre-complaint notice
For residential and certain small-commercial property-owner complaints, CCB requires a pre-complaint notice sent by certified mail to the contractor’s address of record before filing.
CCB guidance states that if the notice is returned or the contractor refuses delivery, the complainant can still file after the required 30-day period following certified mailing.
CCB asks complainants to wait until the agency requests payment after its initial review instead of automatically sending the fee with the complaint.
No Oregon CCB License Result? Try These Fixes
| Problem | Possible reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No result by company name | The legal name, spacing or punctuation differs from the advertised name. | Search a shorter distinctive portion of the business name. |
| Several similar companies appear | The name is common or several entities use similar branding. | Use the exact CCB number from the bid or advertisement. |
| Phone search fails | The number may not be searchable or may contain formatting. | Enter digits only, then try the CCB number or business name. |
| Only an inactive record appears | The business may have expired, changed entities or stopped operating under that license. | Ask for the current CCB number and verify it before covered work begins. |
| Electrical or plumbing credential missing | The separate trade credential may be maintained by the Oregon Building Codes Division. | Use the BCD professional-license search in addition to CCB verification. |
| Landscape contractor not found | Landscape contracting is regulated through the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board. | Use the landscape licensing system rather than assuming the CCB search covers it. |
| Contractor says a recent change is missing | A transaction may still be processing. | The CCB search states records update every six hours daily. Recheck or call 503-378-4621 if the discrepancy matters immediately. |
Oregon Construction Contractors Board Contact Information
Contact the CCB when the public record cannot be resolved or when you need case-specific licensing or complaint guidance.
| Contact item | Official detail | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Main phone | 503-378-4621 | Licensing, contractor verification and general assistance. |
| ccb.info@ccb.oregon.gov | General CCB and licensing questions. | |
| Physical address | 201 High St. SE, Suite 600, Salem, OR 97301 | CCB lobby and in-person agency business. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 14140, Salem, OR 97309-5052 | Documents that the relevant CCB process allows by mail. |
| Phone hours | Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | The licensing call center stops accepting new callers at 4 p.m. to complete callbacks. |
| Lobby hours | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. | In-person visits and document drop-off. |
| Dispute Resolution | 503-934-2247 | Complaint jurisdiction, process and filing-deadline questions. |
Oregon state holidays can affect agency access. Confirm current office information before making a special trip to Salem.
Official Oregon Contractor Verification Resources
Use these government sources for the final live lookup, licensing requirements, contractor tools, complaints and specialty-trade verification.
Oregon CCB License Lookup FAQs
How do I verify an Oregon contractor license?
Use the official Oregon Construction Contractors Board Contractor License Search. Enter the CCB license number when available; otherwise search by all or part of the business name, contractor last name or, in some cases, the business telephone number. Open the matching record and review status, endorsement, bond, insurance and available history.
What can the Oregon CCB license lookup show?
The CCB lookup can help confirm active licensing, surety-bond information, proof of liability insurance, workers’ compensation information, lead-safe licensing when relevant and complaints or disciplinary actions filed with the CCB during the past 10 years.
Can I search an Oregon contractor by business name or phone number?
Yes. The official search accepts all or part of a business name or contractor last name and can search some business telephone numbers using digits only. The CCB license number remains the most accurate search method.
Does an active CCB license prove the contractor is skilled?
No. Active status confirms the licensing record but does not prove construction workmanship or project-specific skill. Oregon CCB recommends checking references and examples of previous work after confirming the license.
Does an Oregon contractor have to show a CCB number?
Oregon CCB states that contractors must place their license number on advertising such as brochures, websites and business cards. Ask the contractor for the number if you cannot find it.
Are Oregon electrical and plumbing licenses part of the CCB lookup?
Not by themselves. Oregon electrical and plumbing professional licensing is handled through the Building Codes Division. A business may need applicable CCB licensing plus the separate trade credential required for the work.
How often is the Oregon CCB license database updated?
The official contractor search states that license records are updated every six hours daily. Use the live record for important hiring, payment and compliance decisions instead of an old screenshot or certificate.
How much does an Oregon CCB contractor license cost?
The CCB currently lists a $400 initial contractor application fee and a $400 renewal fee for a two-year license. The standard contractor license exam costs $60 when required and is paid directly to the exam provider.
What should I do if the Oregon CCB search finds no record?
Try the exact CCB number, a shorter business-name search, the contractor’s last name or a digits-only business phone number. Spelling and punctuation differences can prevent a match. If the record still cannot be resolved, contact CCB Customer Service at 503-378-4621.
How do I file a complaint against an Oregon contractor?
Property-owner complaints are subject to strict CCB deadlines. For residential and certain small-commercial complaints, send the required 30-day pre-complaint notice by certified mail to the contractor’s address of record before filing. Use the current CCB complaint instructions or call Dispute Resolution at 503-934-2247.
Verify the CCB Record Before Work Begins
Get the CCB number, open the official Oregon record, confirm active status and the correct endorsement, review bond and insurance information, check applicable specialty credentials and read available history before signing or paying.
Keep your verification together with the written contract, bids, change orders, payment records, permits and other project documents so you have a clear record of what you checked before construction started.