Oregon Plumbing License | OR Plumbing Contractors

Becoming a general contractor in Oregon involves satisfying a few requirements in compliance with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). The CCB states all contractors, including plumbers, must have either a trade school education or a certain number of apprenticeship hours before applying for a license.

Oregon requires any contractor working for compensation to register their business with the Oregon Secretary of State, provide worker’s compensation and liability insurance, and comply with state tax regulations.

Other fees could be incurred, depending on the type of license. Average costs include:

General Contractor Application Fee: $250.00
CCB License Exam Fee: $60.00
16-hour pre-license training: $49.00 – $550.00
Surety Bond: Cost varies
Proof of Insurance: Cost varies

Oregon Plumbing License Reciprocity

Oregon recognizes these states for reciprocity in plumbing licenses:

Idaho
Montana

To be reinstated in Oregon, contractors must have:

An equivalent or higher license from the reciprocal state that is current and active with no violations or conditions attached within the past three years;
Qualified for the licensing exam in the reciprocal state through required work experience;
Passed the licensing exam in the reciprocal state with a score of 75% or better;
Worked a minimum of six months (1,000 hours) under the license from the reciprocal state;
And not failed the Oregon licensing examination for the license type you are reciprocating within the past two years.

There is a $100 nonrefundable fee, and the following documents must be submitted:

A passport;
A copy of an active contractor’s license;
A completed license verification form;
And employment information.

Oregon Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements

A Journeyman license means the contractor performs all plumbing installation, alterations, or remodels. The steps to becoming a plumber journeyman are:

A certificate of completion from a four-year apprenticeship program or a referral from either the registered training committee or Oregon Plumbing Board-approved training program;
Instead of schooling, verified proof of at least 576 hours of academic classroom training and 3,850 hours of on-the-job experience.

Journeyman Plumber Exam

A four-hour exam is required, as well as a $100 fee for the application. Applicants must complete work history, provide a photo, and sign an affidavit. Journeyman exams are given around the state, and applicants can choose the location for the exam. After the application is received and approved, applicants can take the exam.

Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements

To become an apprentice plumber, these requirements must be met:

GED or high school diploma;
18 years or older;
One year algebra with C or higher.

Oregon Plumbing Apprentice Jobs

The state of Oregon website provides a list of pre-license educators, organized by price, type of school, and language.

Plumbing Trade Schools in Oregon

Lane Community College
Program: Apprenticeship Program – Plumbers
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Type of school: Four-year program
For more information, email the trade coordinator.

Chemeketa Community College
Program: Plumber Apprenticeship Program
Location: Salem, Oregon
Type of school: Four-year program
For more information, visit their contact page.

Clackamas Community College
Program: Plumbing Apprenticeship Program
Location: Oregon City, Milwaukie, and Wilsonville, Oregon
Type of school: Three to a four-year program
For more information, contact an advisor.

Oregon Professional License Search

The state of Oregon website provides a search query that allows exploration and verification of contractor licenses in Oregon.

For More License and Career Guides

To find out how to become a Plumbing Contractor in another state, start here.

For information on other trades in Oregon, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements: