How to Verify a Contractor in Oregon
Before you sign any contract, take 60 seconds to verify your contractor's CCB license. Here's exactly what to check and why it matters.
To verify a contractor instantly - enter their CCB number below.
Find the contractor's CCB number
Oregon law requires every licensed contractor to display their CCB license number on all estimates, contracts, invoices, and advertising. Look for "CCB #" followed by a number - typically 5 to 6 digits.
If the contractor has not provided a CCB number, or refuses to give you one, this is a red flag. Ask directly: "What is your CCB license number?" Any legitimate Oregon contractor will have this readily available.
Search the license on CCB Lookup
Enter the CCB number, contractor name, or business name into the search tool. You'll see the full license record, including:
Contractor profiles with published pages also show a Trust Score - a 0–100 rating that combines license age, bond amount, and insurance health into a single number. Useful when comparing multiple candidates.
Confirm the license is Active
The most important thing to check is that the license status is Active and the expiration date has not passed. An expired license means the contractor's bond and insurance may no longer be in force.
Verify bond and insurance are current
Even if the license is Active, the bond and insurance can have their own separate expiration dates. Always check:
Surety Bond
Protects you if the contractor abandons the job, fails to pay subcontractors, or causes damage. Confirm the bond expiration date has not passed.
Liability Insurance
Covers damage to your property or injuries during the project. Verify both the amount and the expiration date. Required minimums range from $100K (RLC) to $2M aggregate (CGC1) depending on license type. See requirements by type →
If the insurance expiration is within 30 days, ask the contractor for a current Certificate of Insurance directly from their insurer before signing anything.
Check complaint and disciplinary history
The official CCB website shows the contractor's full complaint history, unpaid claims, civil penalties, and any suspensions from the past 10 years. This information is not available on CCB Lookup - CCB Lookup shows license, bond, and insurance data only. For complaint history, you must check the official CCB site directly.
Check Complaint History on CCB.govLast updated: February 2026.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Refuses to provide a CCB license number
- License is expired or suspended
- Bond or insurance has expired
- Business name on the license does not match what they told you
- Asks for full payment upfront in cash
- Does not have a written contract
- Pressures you to decide immediately
- Shows up unsolicited after a storm or disaster
See all warning signs in our contractor scams guide →
Ready to verify your contractor?
Search by name, license number, or county. Takes less than 30 seconds.
Related Guides
Quick Checklist
- License status is Active
- License is not expired
- Bond is current
- Insurance is current
- Business name matches
- No unpaid complaints
- No civil penalties
- Written contract in hand