Step-by-Step Guide

How to Verify a Contractor's License 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.

Have a CCB number? Search it directly — results in seconds.

1

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.

2

Search the license on CCBLookup

Enter the CCB number, contractor name, or business name into the search tool. You'll see the full license record, including:

License status (Active / Expired / Suspended)
License expiration date
License type and endorsements
Surety bond company and amount
Bond expiration date
General liability insurance company
Insurance amount and expiration
Business address and phone number
Search a CCB License Now
3

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.

Active
Safe to hire — verify bond & insurance too
Expired
Do not hire — ask them to renew first
Suspended
Do not hire — serious compliance issue
4

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 ($500K–$1M minimum) and the expiration date.

If the insurance expiration is within 30 days, ask the contractor for a current Certificate of Insurance directly from their insurer before signing anything.

5

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 CCBLookup — you need to check it directly on the official CCB site.

Check Complaint History on CCB.gov

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
Ready to verify your contractor?

Search by name, license number, or county. Takes less than 30 seconds.

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