# Oregon CCB license lookup: endorsements, bond, insurance

> How to check an Oregon contractor on the CCB license search: residential vs commercial endorsements, bond and insurance on file, and what to ask a sub for.

Oregon licenses construction contractors statewide through the Construction Contractors Board (CCB). You look a contractor up on the [CCB license search](https://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/), ideally by CCB number, which contractors must show on bids, contracts, and advertising. The record shows the endorsement, status, and the bond and liability insurance on file.

## Who needs a CCB license

The CCB says Oregon law generally requires anyone who works for compensation in construction involving improvements to real property to be licensed. That includes roofing, painting, concrete, carpentry, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and handyman work. Under ORS 701.021, the license is needed to bid or offer the work, not only to perform it.

Electricians and plumbers also need trade licenses from the Building Codes Division, a separate agency. Landscape contractors are licensed by the Landscape Contractors Board.

## Endorsements: residential versus commercial

Every CCB license carries one or more endorsements tied to the type of structure:

- **Residential endorsements** cover residential and small commercial structures.
- **Commercial endorsements** cover small and large commercial structures.
- A contractor working on both residential and large commercial structures needs both, with a bond for each.

A small commercial structure is generally a nonresidential building of 10,000 square feet or less and no more than 20 feet high, or any project where all construction work on the structure totals $250,000 or less. An apartment building over four stories is a large commercial structure.

## Bond and insurance by endorsement

| Endorsement | CCB bond | Liability insurance minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Residential general contractor | $25,000 | $500,000 per occurrence |
| Residential specialty contractor | $20,000 | $300,000 per occurrence |
| Residential limited contractor | $15,000 | $100,000 per occurrence |
| Commercial general contractor, Level 1 | $80,000 | $2,000,000 aggregate |
| Commercial general contractor, Level 2 | $25,000 | $1,000,000 aggregate |
| Commercial specialty contractor, Level 1 | $55,000 | $1,000,000 aggregate |
| Commercial specialty contractor, Level 2 | $25,000 | $500,000 per occurrence |

These are CCB minimums for the license. The CCB bond pays CCB orders on claims; it is not a performance bond for your project. A residential specialty contractor handles one or two unrelated trades, and a residential limited contractor may not take a contract over $5,000 or exceed $40,000 a year.

## Workers' comp: exempt and nonexempt

The CCB record shows whether a contractor is **exempt** or **nonexempt**. Nonexempt contractors have employees or leased workers and must report a workers' compensation carrier and policy. Exempt contractors generally have no employees, though a family-owned business may qualify. Under ORS 701.035, a contractor licensed as exempt who hires employees faces penalties, and an exempt contractor holding a commercial endorsement must still carry workers' comp. An exempt sub that shows up with a crew is a red flag.

## How to check a license

1. Open the [CCB license search](https://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/) and search by CCB number. Name searches are less reliable; the CCB suggests searching part of the name.
2. Confirm the business name matches your subcontract.
3. Read the status and expiration date. A license lasts two years.
4. Check that the endorsement fits the structure and the bond and insurance are current.
5. Note exempt or nonexempt status.
6. Search the Building Codes Division for electrical or plumbing licenses.

The CCB notes that records update several times a day. If a name search finds nothing, try the number before assuming the contractor is unlicensed.

## What to ask a subcontractor for

- The CCB number, as printed on the bid and contract
- The endorsement held, residential, commercial, or both
- Building Codes Division license numbers for electrical or plumbing work
- A certificate of insurance in the same legal name as the CCB record
- Proof of workers' comp if they will bring employees

## Common traps

- **Residential endorsement on a large commercial job.** It covers residential and small commercial structures only.
- **Exempt with a crew.** Employees on the job mean the license class is wrong or coverage is missing.
- **Inactive license.** An inactive license is not subject to the bond and insurance requirements and does not authorize contracting.
- **CCB minimums versus your contract.** Your project likely needs higher limits.
- **No CCB number on the bid.** Contractors must show it, so ask why it is missing.

Rules change, so confirm requirements with the CCB. This is not legal advice. For more, see [GC insurance requirements by trade](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/gc-insurance-requirements-by-trade) and [certificate of insurance red flags](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/certificate-of-insurance-red-flags).

## Check this automatically

ComplySub checks contractor license status for California, Colorado, Texas, and Florida. Oregon license tracking is not built in yet, so keep the CCB record in the vendor file. For the insurance side, ComplySub checks a Oregon sub's certificates against the requirements you set once and flags gaps and expirations. Vendors upload through a link without an account, and reminders go out before dates lapse.

[Try ComplySub free](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/login)

_This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Insurance and licensing rules vary by state, carrier, and contract; confirm what applies to you with your insurance professional, attorney, or licensing board._