Oregon CCB Pre-License Course
The 16-Hour Course You Can't Skip
Before the Construction Contractors Board (CCB) will process your contractor license application, your business's designated Responsible Managing Individual (RMI) must complete a 16-hour pre-licensure training course. This isn't a technical electrical course — it covers Oregon construction law, business practices, safety standards, and consumer protection regulations.
The CCB maintains a list of approved course providers on their website. Course formats include in-person classes and online self-paced options. Pricing ranges from $69 to $190 depending on the provider and format. Most applicants complete it in two to three days if done online, or over a weekend for in-person sessions.
The course is a prerequisite for the CCB contractor exam, not a replacement for it. After completing the 16-hour training, the RMI must pass the CCB business and law examination administered through PSI Services. This exam tests your understanding of Oregon contractor law, lien rights, workplace safety, and business management — distinct from the BCD's technical electrical licensing exam.
Who Needs to Take It
The pre-license course is required for the RMI — the person who assumes regulatory responsibility for the contracting business. This is typically the business owner, but it can be a designated employee who meets the CCB's criteria.
If you're an electrician launching your own contracting business, you'll likely serve as your own RMI. That means you need both your BCD individual trade license (General Supervising Electrician to serve as the signing supervisor) and the CCB pre-license course to register the business.
CCB Registration Costs
The pre-license course is just the entry point. Here's the full cost breakdown for CCB contractor registration:
CCB registration fee: $400 for a two-year licensing cycle. This fee increased from $325 effective July 1, 2025. Renewal is also $400 every two years.
Surety bond: The CCB requires every licensed contractor to maintain an active surety bond. The bond amount depends on your contractor classification:
| Classification | Minimum Bond |
|---|---|
| Residential Specialty Contractor (RSC) | $20,000 |
| Residential General Contractor (RGC) | $25,000 |
| Commercial General Contractor Level 1 | $80,000 |
These minimums were increased under House Bill 2922, effective January 1, 2024. You don't pay the face amount of the bond — you pay an annual premium to a surety company, typically 1% to 15% of the bond amount based on your personal credit score and business history. A new contractor with decent credit might pay $250 to $750 per year for a $25,000 RGC bond.
General liability insurance: The CCB requires proof of active general liability insurance. Minimum coverage requirements vary by contractor classification. Electrical contractors in Oregon typically pay $1,500 to $4,000 annually for general liability coverage, though premiums depend on your revenue, project types, and claims history.
The bond and insurance certificates must be filed directly with the CCB. If either lapses, your CCB license is automatically suspended — you can't pull permits or sign contracts until coverage is reinstated.
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The CCB Business and Law Exam
The CCB contractor exam is administered through PSI Services, the same testing vendor that handles BCD electrical licensing exams. You schedule it through psiexams.com after completing the 16-hour pre-license course.
The exam covers:
- Oregon contractor licensing law (ORS Chapter 701)
- Consumer protection and homeowner rights
- Lien law and construction contracts
- Workplace safety requirements (Oregon OSHA)
- Business management and financial practices
The PSI exam is open-book and consists of 80 multiple-choice questions. You have three hours to complete it and need 70% correct to pass. It is distinct from the BCD's open-book electrical exams because it covers the business and legal topics above. Most applicants who completed the 16-hour course and studied the provided materials pass on the first attempt, but some find the legal and financial questions challenging if they've spent their career focused on the technical side of the trade.
The Full CCB Timeline
From start to finish, the CCB registration process typically takes four to six weeks:
- Complete the 16-hour pre-license course (2-3 days for online; weekend for in-person)
- Pass the CCB business and law exam (schedule through PSI after course completion)
- Register your business entity with the Oregon Secretary of State (pay the applicable filing fee)
- Obtain your surety bond from an authorized surety company
- Secure general liability insurance from a commercial insurer
- Submit your CCB license application with bond and insurance certificates
- Wait for CCB processing (typically 2-3 weeks)
Remember that the CCB registration is separate from your BCD Electrical Contractor (C) license. You need both. The BCD contractor license ($375) requires your business to employ a signing supervisor with an active General Supervising Electrician (S) license. Most new electrical contractors coordinate both applications simultaneously.
The Oregon Electrician License Guide includes a contractor business launch sequence that maps the BCD and CCB applications in parallel, with a cost calculator that tallies every fee, bond premium, and insurance estimate so you can budget the full startup cost before committing.
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