Residential General/Commercial General
Scope: Ground-up structures and multiple trades
Testing: PSI Oregon Contractors Business & Law exam
Oregon Contractor License Exam Guide (2026)
Oregon contractors pour footings in Cascadia rain, retrofit bridges for subduction-zone quakes, and manage wildfire rebuilds. The Construction Contractors Board (CCB) requires a 16-hour pre-license course plus the PSI Business & Law exam before issuing residential or commercial endorsements.
Last verified: May 2026 via Oregon Construction Contractors Board. Official source: Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
- 16 HoursPre-license training
- PSI ExamBusiness & Law
- 2 EndorsementsResidential/Commercial
How Oregon licenses contractors
The CCB licenses residential and commercial contractors plus limited specialty endorsements. Applicants must complete the state-approved training, pass the PSI Business & Law exam, register for Workers' Compensation, obtain a surety bond, and maintain liability insurance.
Coast Range contractors battle salt-laden winds and seismic uplift, while eastern crews build for 120-degree heat and snow on the Wallowas. Exams and coursework emphasize moisture control, energy code, and wildfire defensible space.
Official source: Oregon Construction Contractors Board
Oregon licensing at a glance
- 16 Hours — Pre-license training
- PSI Exam — Business & Law
- Typical cost: $375 two-year CCB license fee
- State-specific trade exam required (NASCLA not accepted for primary licensing path)
- Common license path: Residential General/Commercial General
Oregon contractor license types
Residential Specialty/Commercial Specialty
Scope: Single trades such as roofing or concrete
Testing: Same PSI exam plus trade-specific experience
Limited/Supervisor Endorsements
Scope: Small projects or management roles
Testing: PSI exam plus experience affidavits
Bond and insurance amounts vary by endorsement ($10k-$75k bonds, $300k-$500k liability). Commercial endorsements require higher net worth and key employee verification.
What's on the Oregon contractor exam
PSI operates centers in Portland, Eugene, Medford, Bend, and through remote proctoring.
What Oregon exam questions emphasize
- Oregon Contractor Law and Business Reference Manual
- Moisture management, rainscreens, and coastal corrosion
- Energy code (Oregon Residential Specialty Code/Commercial Energy Code)
- Workers' Compensation, lien law, and consumer protection statutes
Exam-day logistics
- Bring two IDs and the PSI approval letter
- Open-book exam allows the Oregon Contractor Reference Manual with tabs
- Scores upload to CCB within 24 hours so you can finalize bonding and insurance
Oregon contractor exam blueprint (verified July 2026)
| Licensing authority | Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) |
|---|---|
| What is licensed | Residential and commercial contractors plus limited specialty endorsements |
| Exams | PSI Oregon Business & Law exam (~$60 typical) after required pre-license education |
| NASCLA | Not accepted — Oregon uses its own Business & Law exam |
| Money | ~$375 two-year CCB license fee plus exam and education costs |
| Key gotcha | Bonding and insurance must be in place before the license issues—exam pass alone is not enough |
What trips Oregon applicants up
Oregon CCB licensing centers on education, Bond/insurance, and the Oregon-specific Business & Law exam—NASCLA does not replace the CCB path.
Verified sources: Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
Who needs an Oregon CCB license (and who does not)
Most residential and commercial contractors need a Construction Contractors Board license with education, bond/insurance, and the Oregon Business & Law exam.
| Residential / commercial CCB license | Covers: General and specialty contracting offered to the public Authority: Oregon CCB — education, PSI Business & Law, bond, and insurance |
|---|---|
| Limited / supervisor endorsements | Covers: Narrower scopes under CCB endorsement rules Authority: Oregon CCB — confirm endorsement before bidding outside your scope |
| NASCLA-only strategy | Covers: Using an out-of-state NASCLA letter instead of CCB steps Authority: Not accepted — complete Oregon’s own path |
Most-missed Oregon contractor exam topics
The Oregon Contractor Law manual and moisture/energy items dominate misses for candidates drilling only national code quizzes.
- Oregon Contractor Law and Business Reference Manual scenarios
- Moisture management, rainscreens, and coastal corrosion details
- Oregon Residential Specialty Code / commercial energy requirements
- Workers’ compensation, lien law, and consumer-protection statutes
- Bonding and insurance proof required before the license can issue
Trade-specific exam guides
If you're licensing in a single trade rather than the Oregon general contractor classification, the dedicated trade hub will get you to the right code book and exam structure faster.
- General contractor exam guide — IBC/IRC, NASCLA acceptance, and Business & Law.
- Electrical contractor exam guide — NEC (NFPA 70) calculations and grounding/bonding.
- Plumbing contractor exam guide — IPC/UPC drainage sizing, venting, and backflow.
- HVAC contractor exam guide — IMC ventilation, refrigerant management, and load calcs.
Oregon code books & approved references (2026)
Always confirm the exact editions and tab rules in your candidate bulletin before exam day. Editions can change between license cycles.
- Oregon Contractor Reference Manual
- Oregon Residential Specialty Code
- Oregon Structural and Energy Codes
- ORS 701 and 87 (liens)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926
Fees & timeline for the Oregon contractor license
- $375 two-year CCB license fee
- $60 PSI exam fee
- $10k-$75k surety bond depending on endorsement
- $300k-$500k liability insurance minimums
- Workers' Compensation premiums if you have employees
Use the All States hub for budgeting; confirm current fees with CCB.
Oregon Business & Law focus
The PSI exam covers licensing law, bonds, insurance, lien rules, estimating, safety, and accounting.
- Memorize ORS 701 licensing requirements and penalties
- Understand lien timelines (75-day notice) and release procedures
- Register with the Department of Revenue and Department of Justice (for collections)
- Maintain OSHA safety plans for wet-weather work and wildfire mobilization
Practice with our Oregon CCB exam prep and the national Business & Law exam hub for cross-state baseline rules.
NASCLA acceptance in Oregon
Oregon relies on its own CCB pre-license education and PSI Business & Law exam. NASCLA does not replace the Oregon Contractor Law path—complete education, bonding/insurance, and the Oregon exam before the two-year license issues. Confirm the current candidate bulletin for your classification, then use timed state-specific practice instead of assuming an out-of-state NASCLA letter will transfer.
More: National NASCLA exam guide and our in-depth NASCLA Accredited Exam study walkthrough.
A focused 4-week study plan for the Oregon exam
Because Coast Range contractors battle salt-laden winds and seismic uplift, while eastern crews build for 120-degree heat and snow on the Wallowas, this four-week outline targets what Oregon field inspectors and your licensing board exam items actually test—not generic national prep.
- Week 1 — Map the exam. Pull your current candidate bulletin, list every reference, and confirm the modules you have to pass. Start a one-page error log. Spend extra time on: Oregon Contractor Law and Business Reference Manual.
- Week 2 — Code book navigation. Drill open-book lookups (or memorisation drills if your module is closed-book) until you can find any answer in under 60 seconds. Anchor practice around: Moisture management, rainscreens, and coastal corrosion.
- Week 3 — Business & Law. The PSI exam covers licensing law, bonds, insurance, lien rules, estimating, safety, and accounting. Layer in scenario-based questions on contracts, lien notice, payroll, and insurance.
- Week 4 — Full simulations. PSI operates centers in Portland, Eugene, Medford, Bend, and through remote proctoring. Run two full-length timed simulations. Review every miss with a one-sentence rule statement.
FAQs - Oregon contractor exam
Do I need trade exams in Oregon?
No; the PSI exam is Business & Law only, but you must document trade experience.
What training is required?
A 16-hour approved pre-license course before scheduling PSI.
Does Oregon accept NASCLA?
No. Oregon CCB licensing requires pre-license education and the Oregon-specific Business & Law exam. NASCLA does not replace CCB education, bonding, or insurance requirements.
What insurance is required?
$300k to $500k liability plus Workers' Compensation when applicable.
How often do I renew?
Every two years with continuing education (5-8 hours depending on endorsement).
Where are exams offered?
PSI centers statewide and remote proctoring.
What bonds are required?
$10k for residential specialty up to $75k for commercial general contractors.
More Oregon contractor exam prep resources
Core resources
Exam-day reading
Recommended for Oregon candidates
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