Oregon issues 18 distinct contractor license endorsements. Here's what each one covers, what bond and insurance it requires, and which URL to browse contractors by type.
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) doesn't issue a single "contractor license" — it issues endorsements, each authorizing a specific type and scope of work. Knowing which endorsement your contractor holds tells you exactly what they're legally allowed to do.
The endorsement a contractor needs depends on the type of structure they work on. Oregon defines three categories:
Single-family homes, apartments ≤4 stories, condos, manufactured homes, floating homes.
RGC · RSC · RLC · RD · RRCNon-residential: ≤10,000 sq ft and ≤20 ft tall, OR total contract ≤$250,000.
All residential endorsements cover thisEverything else — hospitals, malls, parking garages, large apartment complexes (>4 stories).
CGC1 · CGC2 · CSC1 · CSC2 · CDThe most common Oregon contractor license. An RGC may supervise, arrange for, or perform an unlimited number of unrelated building trades on any residential or small commercial structure. This is the go-to license for general contractors, home builders, and remodelers.
Typical work covered:
An RSC performs work in one or two unrelated building trades on residential or small commercial projects. The trades can change from job to job — a roofer who also does masonry qualifies. For jobs with labor and materials under $2,500, an RSC may perform three or more trades on a single property.
Designed for part-time contractors, retirees, and hobby builders. An RLC can perform unlimited building trades on residential projects, but with strict volume caps: less than $40,000 gross annual construction sales, and no single job exceeding $5,000. If gross volume exceeds $40,000 during the year, the contractor must notify the CCB and upgrade their endorsement.
Limit: Max $40,000/year gross volume · Max $5,000 per job site per year
For developers who own residential property and arrange for construction with intent to sell. An RD must work with one or more licensed general contractors who oversee all construction phases. The RD cannot perform any construction work directly — they are a development role, not a hands-on contractor role.
Licensed to offer restoration services (as defined in ORS 701-540) for residential and small commercial structures — typically fire damage, water damage, mold remediation, and disaster recovery. Cannot perform any other contractor activities.
These endorsements are for single-purpose businesses only. Contractors with a restricted endorsement cannot perform any other type of construction work.
Service, repair, or replacement under a home warranty or home services agreement. No other contractor work permitted.
Browse RHSC contractors →Locksmith services for residential and small commercial structures. Must have an OCLS-certified locksmith on staff.
Browse RLSC contractors →Home inspection services only. Must employ at least one Oregon Certified Home Inspector (OCHI).
Browse RHISC contractors →Assigns home energy performance scores. Must employ at least one Oregon-certified home energy assessor.
Browse RHEPSC contractors →Commercial endorsements cover all commercial structures — both small and large. Contractors holding only a residential endorsement cannot legally work on large commercial projects. Note that commercial bonds and insurance use aggregate limits, not per-occurrence.
The highest commercial license. CGC1 contractors may supervise or perform an unlimited number of building trades on any commercial structure. Requires key employees with at least 8 years of combined construction experience.
Same scope of work as CGC1 — unlimited building trades on any commercial structure — but with lower bond, insurance, and experience requirements. Requires key employees with at least 4 years of experience.
Performs work in one or two building trades on commercial structures. Trades may change job to job. Level 1 requires 8 years of key employee experience.
Same scope as CSC1 — one or two trades on commercial structures — with lower requirements. Requires 4 years of key employee experience.
Commercial equivalent of the RD. Developers who own commercial property, arrange for construction intending to sell, and work through licensed general contractors. Cannot perform construction work directly.
These categories include federal certifications tracked by the CCB, specialty endorsements, and individual credentials that are linked to a business license.
Required by federal law for all pre-1978 homes. This is an EPA certification (RRP Rule), not a CCB endorsement per se, but the CCB tracks it in the license database.
Any contractor performing renovation, repair, or painting work on a residential structure built before 1978 must hold LBPR certification. This ensures they follow EPA-mandated lead-safe work practices to protect occupants — especially children under 6.
Direct or control vehicle traffic on public roadways near active construction zones.
Browse CF contractors →Individual certification for home inspectors. Every RHISC business license requires at least one OCHI holder on staff.
Browse OCHI inspectors →Individual certification for locksmiths. Every RLSC business license requires at least one OCLS holder on staff.
Browse OCLS locksmiths →| Code | Name | Structures | Bond | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RGC | Residential General Contractor | Res. + Small comm. | $25,000 | $500K/occ. |
| RSC | Residential Specialty Contractor | Res. + Small comm. | $20,000 | $300K/occ. |
| RLC | Residential Limited Contractor | Res. + Small comm. | $15,000 | $100K/occ. |
| RD | Residential Developer | Res. + Small comm. | $25,000 | $500K/occ. |
| RRC | Residential Restoration Contractor | Res. + Small comm. | $15,000 | $100K/occ. |
| RHSC | Home Services Contractor | Res. (restricted) | $15,000 | $100K/occ. |
| RLSC | Residential Locksmith Services Contractor | Res. (restricted) | $15,000 | $100K/occ. |
| RHISC | Home Inspector Services Contractor | Res. (restricted) | $15,000 | $100K/occ. |
| RHEPSC | Home Energy Performance Score Contractor | Res. (restricted) | $15,000 | $100K/occ. |
| CGC1 | Commercial General Contractor Level 1 | All commercial | $80,000 | $2M agg. |
| CGC2 | Commercial General Contractor Level 2 | All commercial | $25,000 | $1M agg. |
| CSC1 | Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1 | All commercial | $55,000 | $1M agg. |
| CSC2 | Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 2 | All commercial | $25,000 | $500K/occ. |
| CD | Commercial Developer | All commercial | $25,000 | $500K/occ. |
| LBPR | Lead-Based Paint Renovation | Pre-1978 residential | — | — |
| CF | Construction Flagging Contractor | Public roadways | $10,000 | $300K/occ. |
| OCHI | Oregon Certified Home Inspector | Individual credential | — | — |
| OCLS | Oregon Certified Locksmith | Individual credential | — | — |
Bond and insurance amounts from CCB Endorsement Chart, November 2024
Bond amounts were increased by Oregon HB 2922 effective January 1, 2024. Amounts on this page reflect current requirements. Always verify current requirements at the official CCB site.
Official CCB Endorsement ChartSearch by name or CCB number to see exactly which endorsement a contractor holds.