What is an Oregon Contractor License Bond?
Who Regulates Licensing for Contractors in Oregon?
Who is Required to get a Contractor License Bond in Oregon?
Bond Amounts for Residential Contractors
Bond Amounts for Commercial License
How much does an Oregon Contractor Bond Cost
Things to Know Before Buying an Oregon Contractor Bond
How to get a Oregon Contractor License Bond
How to get a Contractor License in Oregon (Shortened Version)
In the state of Oregon, contractors are required to purchase a Contractor License Bond as part of the application process to obtain a contractor license. The bond ensures that contractors provide construction work and will abide by the state laws and ensures that the public will receive compensation for financial harm if the contractor fails to comply with the licensing regulations.
For example, a property owner can file a CCB complaint against a contractor for breach of contract. The surety company then investigates and if the claim is valid, the surety pays it out. The surety then seeks repayment from the contractor, and if the contractor doesn’t pay surety, then the surety cancels their bond, which could lead to the contractor’s license being suspended.
Construction Contractors Board (CCB) bond for either residential or commercial projects, depending on their endorsement. Contractors endorsed for both types of work need to have both a residential and commercial surety bond.
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board enforces most contractor license and surety bond requirements in the state. For licensing and general questions, you can contact the CCB by calling their main phone number at (503) 378-4621 or by email at ccb.info@ccb.oregon.gov.
The Oregon Landscape Contractors Board regulates the state's landscaping contractors. They can be reached by phone at (503)967-6291 or email at lcb.info@lcb.oregon.gov.
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries regulates labor contractor and farm labor contractor surety bond requirements. They can be reached by phone at (971)245-3844 or email at BOLI_help@boli.oregon.gov.
Oregon law requires anyone who works for compensation in any construction activity involving improvements to real property to be licensed and bonded with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).
Construction activity includes:
The construction license bond surety amount varies by type of contractor and the work that is being done. The bond amount varies from $10,000 to $20,000 for residential contractors and $20,000 to $75,000 for commercial contractors. If you are a residential contractor, commercial contractor, or specialty contractor, you must follow the following surety bond requirements.
The bond amount for residential contractors vary based on the type of work being done and contractor type. The bond amount varies from $10,000 to $20,000.
These contractors may supervise, arrange for, or perform (partly or completely) an unlimited number of unrelated building trades involving any residential or small commercial structure or project.
These contractors perform work involving one or two unrelated building trades for residential or small commercial projects. Alternatively, these residential contractors may perform work on a single property involving three or more unrelated building trades if the contract for labor and materials is $2,500 or less. Residential specialty contractors file a $10,000 bond.
Supervise, coordinate, or perform an unlimited number of building trades for commercial or residential construction projects as long as the following are met:
Note: Endorsement, bond, and insurance requirements change if the gross construction business volume exceeds $40,000 during the year.
These contractors meet all of the following:
Hire contractors to make improvements on property they own.
Contractors with an HSC endorsement may operate a business offering service, repair or replacement under a home services (warranty) agreement.
Contractors with an RLSC endorsement may operate a business offering locksmith services.
Contractors with an HISC endorsement may operate a business offering home inspection services.
Contractors with an HEPSC endorsement may operate a business issuing home energy performance scores.
| Type of Structure | Bond Amount |
|
Residential General Contractor |
$20,000 |
| Residential Specialty Contractor | $15,000 |
| Residential Limited contractor | $10,000 |
| Residential developer | $20,000 |
| Home services contractor | $10,000 |
| Residential locksmith services contractor | $10,000 |
| Home inspector services contractor | $10,000 |
| Home performance score contractor | $10,000 |
Here is a guide to know what type of commercial contractor you fall into as well as the bond amount for it.
These contractors may supervise, arrange for, or perform (partly or completely) an unlimited number of unrelated building trades involving any small or large commercial structure or project. Level 1 and 2 contractors can perform the same work. A Level 1 contractor must have 8 years of construction experience and a Level 2 contractor must have 4 years of construction experience
These contractors perform work involving one or two unrelated building trades for small or large commercial projects. Level 1 and 2 contractors can perform the same work. A Level 1 contractor must have 8 years of construction experience and a Level 2 contractor must have 4 years of construction experience
These contractors meet all of the following:
| Type of Structure | Bond Amount |
| Commercial General Contractor Level 1 | $75,000 |
| Commercial General Contractor Level 2 | $20,000 |
| Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1 | $50,000 |
| Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 2 | $20,000 |
| Commercial Developer | $20,000 |
To get a sense of what the cost of your surety bond will be, see the table below. These are our prices here at SuretyNow. If you need one just click what you need below. If you are unclear which category you fall into, check out the FAQ question right before this one.
| Type of Structure | Price |
| Residential General Contractor | $270 |
| Residential Specialty Contractor | $203 |
| Residential Limited contractor | $135 |
| Residential developer | $180 |
| Home services contractor | $135 |
| Residential locksmith services contractor | $135 |
| Home inspector services contractor | $135 |
| Home performance score contractor | $90 |
| Type of Structure | Price |
| Commercial General Contractor Level 1 | $675 |
| Commercial General Contractor Level 2 | $270 |
| Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1 | $450 |
| Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 2 | $270 |
| Commercial Developer | $216 |
The information required for your bond may vary depending on your license type, but you’ll typically need to provide the following information for Oregon Construction Contractors Board filling approval. You need to complete a 3 minute short form for us to get you a quote. The following information is collected in the form to determine the applicant's eligibility and bond price:
1. Complete the 16-hour pre-license training and take the exam. Select a Responsible Managing Individual to complete the training and exam. Find a list of approved pre-license educators here. Once you have taken the training, you will be directed to take the test from your pre-license training provider.
2. Determine your endorsement type. For more information about endorsement and structure types, click here.
3. File your corporation, LLC, and/or assumed business name.
File with the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division or visit sos.oregon.gov/business. For more information about setting up your business, click here
4. Submit a CCB surety bond in the required amount(s).
Find your proper bond amount.
5. Provide proof of general liability insurance in the required amount.
Make sure it names the Construction Contractors Board as the Certificate Holder.
6. Obtain workers’ compensation insurance if you will be hiring employees.
For more information about workers compensation, talk to an insurance agent, visit the Oregon Workers' Compensation Division website or call 503-947-7810. Learn more about who is exempt and non-exempt here.
7. Obtain other employer account numbers.
You may need state and federal tax numbers, for example. For information, contact the Oregon Department of Revenue at 503-378-4988 or the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-356-4222.
8. Complete an application. Click here to access forms.
9. Submit your application. Must include:
There are licensing fees required depending on what you are applying for, whether it be a CCB licensing exam or a home inspector renewal. Here is a list of licensing fees:
Fee info updated on July 2023. Please verify with the CCB fee page for most up to date info.
Oregon Contractor License Surety Bonds are required by the Oregon Constructions Contractors Board (CCB) in order to receive a contractors license in the state of Oregon. These bonds are meant to reimburse the CCB for unpaid orders issued by the board against an Oregon contractor’s license. Additionally, these surety bonds are required and governed by ORS Chapter 701 and OAR Chapter 812.
Not all Oregon contractors and related service providers need to provide a surety bond to the Construction Contracts Board. Anyone who works for compensation in any construction activity involving improvements to real property needs a license. Examples include: roofing, siding, painting, carpentry, floor covering, etc. Work that does not require a license include: gutter cleaning, power and pressure washing for the purpose of cleaning (siding, sidewalks, etc.), debris clean up (yard or construction site), and qualified real estate property managers managing a building under a property management agreement. Learn more.
A credit score under 650 is considered “bad credit”. However, we have several insurance partners that specialize in this market in helping people with bad credit, so we can help. Give us a call or fill out our form and we’ll shop around to get you the lowest possible quote.
If a business/bondholder fails to fulfill their obligations, their customers can make a claim against the bond. So in other words, to avoid claims on your bond, you must operate to the guidelines set forth on your license and make good promises to customers.
For SuretyNow customers, we will send you via email a PDF bond certificate as proof of bonding. Depending on the type of bond issued, we may also mail you a physical copy of the bond if it’s needed. This is dependent on the requirements of the state or obligee. If the bond is required to be filed, we will handle any filing that needs to be done. For the state of Oregon, the original bond must accompany the application.
To change any information on your current contractor bond, give us a call or email us. We will file what is called a bond rider form on your behalf to the surety company to make changes to the bond.
