In Oregon, the contractor license, the bond, and the insurance are tied together, and the details depend on the kind of work you do. Here is a plain-language overview of what tends to apply, with the official sources to confirm it.
Who needs a license in Oregon
Most people who work for compensation on construction or improvements to real property need a license from the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) before they bid, advertise, or perform work. Oregon does not use a simple dollar threshold the way some states do; instead the endorsement you carry depends on whether you do residential or commercial work, and at what level.
Electrical, plumbing, and some other trades are licensed separately. Confirm your endorsement and any trade license with the CCB.
License bonds in Oregon
Oregon requires a surety bond, and the amount varies by endorsement. As of the CCB's current endorsement chart, a Residential General Contractor bond is $25,000 while a Commercial General Level 1 bond is $80,000, with other endorsements in between. A contractor endorsed for both residential and commercial work generally needs two separate bonds. Because these amounts have changed recently, confirm the current figure for your endorsement with the CCB.
Workers compensation in Oregon
An Oregon employer with one or more subject workers generally must carry workers compensation. Oregon is an open, competitive market: SAIF is a state-chartered carrier but it competes with private insurers, so you are not required to buy from a state monopoly.
Misclassifying workers or assuming a business entity is automatically exempt is a common and expensive mistake here.
Owner and officer exemptions
Sole proprietors generally have no coverage on themselves. For a partnership, LLC, or corporation doing construction, Oregon's exemption generally applies only if the entity is registered with the CCB and all the partners, members, or officers are part of the same family. Non-family co-owners with workers typically trigger coverage. Verify your situation with the state.
Independent contractors and subcontractors
Oregon classifies independent contractors under a direction-and-control plus independently-established-business standard (ORS 670.600), not California's strict ABC test. Whatever the legal label, uninsured subs can fall to your liability and your workers comp audit, so verified certificates and the right endorsements matter.
Public works and prevailing wage
Contractors required to pay prevailing wage on Oregon public works generally must file a $30,000 Public Works Bond with the CCB before starting the work, with some exceptions for smaller projects. Prevailing wage and certified payroll are administered by the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI). Public contracts also tend to require higher limits and specific endorsements.
Verify before you rely on this
Oregon's CCB endorsements and bond amounts have changed in recent years. This page is general information for Oregon contractors, not legal advice, and rules change and vary by project and locality. Confirm current requirements with the official sources below before you bid, hire, or buy coverage.
Last verified June 2026 by Vantage Point Risk.
