Oregon Contractor License Classifications

To start your new career as a contractor or handyman in Oregon, you should get familiar with the whole license classifications and choose the right one for you. That’s why I will try to minimize the time you will waste on researching across the internet. Here, you will learn about the general and specialty license classifications of all Oregon contractor license types. Let’s get started!

General Classification of the Oregon contractor’s license

According to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB),  a person carrying out any type of construction activity should obtain a contractor’s license. The scope of the work can involve activities such as roofing, painting, siding, carpentry, flooring, or heating, etc. In addition to these, if the project includes plumbing, air conditioning, electrical work, and other similar roles, you should also apply for a license.

Depending on the structure of your construction work there are 3 classified types of Oregon contractor licenses:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Dual

Let’s break down each classification along with the endorsements. Each of the following sections will have a short description of the endorsement. This way you will get familiar with all classifications of contractors’ licenses.

Residential Structure and Endorsements

The residential endorsements will allow you to work on smaller-scale buildings. This can include single-family residences, apartment complexes, or condos having 4 or fewer stories, individual units in a high-rise building, etc. There are four residential endorsement classifications for contractors in Oregon which will be covered, separately.

(RGC) Residential General Contractor

The scope of work for these contractors may include supervision, arrangement, or performance of an unlimited number of unrelated building trades. The following refers to any residential or small commercial structure.  Residential general contractors should have a $20,000 residential bond and $500,000 insurance coverage.

(RSC) Residential Specialty Contractor

RS contractors can carry out projects that can include 1 or 2 unrelated specialties on the construction. This may apply to both residential and small commercial structures. If the construction cost of labor and materials is $2,500 or less residential contractors will be able to work on a single building.

(RLC) Residential Limited Contractor

The scope of work for these contractors may include the performance of an unlimited number of building trades. The definition applies to both residential and small commercial structures. However, the project’s amount shouldn’t exceed $40,000 in gross annual volume. The contractor is also limited to perform constructional work that exceeds $5,000 per job site per year. Moreover, the residential bond for RLC must be $10,000 and the amount of $300,000 insurance coverage should be purchased. This endorsement is usually applicable to contractors who work part-time and as a hobby construct building.

Residential Developer (RD)

The endorsement refers to the contractors, who arrange or develop the construction structure. But the main intention for them is to sell the property. Residential developers should have a $20,000 residential bond and $500,000 per accident insurance coverage.

Commercial Structure and Endorsements

This general Oregon Contractor License Classification is for contractors who intend to work on non-residential, commercial structures of any size. They can construct or improve large commercial properties. For instance, parking garages, fast food restaurants, hospitals, shopping malls, etc. Based on the experience and scope of work there are five commercial endorsements that I will talk about down below.

Commercial General Contractor Level 1 (CGC1)

The contractors for this classification can perform as many unrelated building trades as possible. The work can be done on both small and/or large commercial structures and projects. Level 1 contractor should have at least 8 years of construction experience.

Commercial General Contractor Level 2 (CGC2)

Much like level 1,  the level 2 contractors can also perform any construction work on any commercial structures. However, in this case, 4 years of experience will be enough to be licensed.

Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1 (CSC1)

The contractor can work on 1 or 2 unrelated building projects for any type of commercial structure or trade. For instance, a  contractor can perform masonry and roofing work on one project and concrete work on another.  A Level 1 contractor should have at least 8 years of construction experience.

Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 2 (CSC2)

The scope of the work is the same only this time a Level 2 contractor should possess 4 years of experience in construction work. A contractor must purchase a $20,000 commercial bond and $500,000 per accident insurance coverage.

Commercial Developer (CD)

A commercial developer may arrange construction work or improvement of small or large commercial structures. However, he/she shouldn’t perform any construction work on the building. Contractors for this classification must have a $20,000 commercial bond and $500,000 per accident insurance coverage.

Dual Contractor’s License

To work on both commercial and residential structures you can apply for a dual contractor’s endorsement. If you apply for both residential and commercial endorsements you should have two separate bonds (one for each endorsement). In addition to it, you also need to have one liability insurance policy in the higher amount by your choice of endorsement.

Specialty License Classification

This section is separated from the above classification since there are several specialty certifications that will have different requirements.  The specialties that have different certification or licensing processes and requirements in Oregon are:

• Home inspector
• Locksmith certification
• Lead-based paint licenses
• Construction flagging

Home Inspector Certification

The duties of a home inspector are to inspect and provide written reports. The reports should talk about the overall physical condition of a residential building. To obtain this certification, applicants should pass the National Home Inspector Examination.

Locksmith Certification

Oregon requires any person who does services such as installation, repairs, rebuilds, rekeys, adjusts locks, or does similar tasks to hold this certificate.

Oregon Contractor License Classification : Lead-Based Paint License

There are certain daycare centers, preschools, and kindergarten rooms that are presumed to have lead paint. This may apply to buildings constructed before 1978 in Oregon. So you can’t bid on such a structure unless you own a lead-based paint renovation license.

Oregon Contractor License Classification : Construction Flagging Contractors

The main duties of these contractors are to direct the flow of motor vehicle traffic. Construction flagging is located on a public roadway to prevent conflicts. To obtain the appropriate certification contractors should apply to the CCB.