Oregon Contractor License Bond (CCB)
The bond you need for an Oregon contractor license depends on your CCB endorsement, and the minimum amounts rose by $5,000 on January 1, 2024. If you hold both residential and commercial endorsements, you need both a residential bond and a commercial bond.
- Who requires it: The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); OAR 812-003-0171; HB 2922 (2023).
- Amount: Residential bonds run $15,000 to $25,000 by endorsement, commercial bonds run $25,000 to $80,000, and construction flagging is $25,000, all effective January 1, 2024.
Official Oregon Requirements
"Contractors who are endorsed to do both residential and commercial work must have both a residential and a commercial surety bond."Oregon Construction Contractors Board • View Official Requirements →
Who needs a CCB license and bond
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) licenses construction contractors under ORS chapter 701 and OAR chapter 812. Oregon law requires contractors to carry surety bonds, and the amount is determined by your license endorsement. For most endorsements, your business picks a Responsible Managing Individual (RMI), who usually qualifies by completing the 16-hour pre-license training and passing the Oregon exam; the CCB also lists other ways to qualify, and some limited-scope residential endorsements have different education requirements. The bond is required for both new and renewal license applications. Requirements vary by endorsement, so the CCB has the final word on what any given license needs; confirm yours with the board.
How much your Oregon CCB bond is
Minimum bond amounts depend on your endorsement and took effect January 1, 2024.
| Endorsement | Minimum bond |
|---|---|
| Residential general contractor | $25,000 |
| Residential specialty contractor | $20,000 |
| Residential limited contractor | $15,000 |
| Residential developer | $25,000 |
| Home services contractor | $15,000 |
| Residential locksmith services contractor | $15,000 |
| Home inspector services contractor | $15,000 |
| Home performance score contractor | $15,000 |
| Residential restoration contractor | $15,000 |
| Commercial general contractor level 1 | $80,000 |
| Commercial specialty contractor level 1 | $55,000 |
| Commercial general contractor level 2 | $25,000 |
| Commercial specialty contractor level 2 | $25,000 |
| Commercial developer | $25,000 |
| Construction flagging contractor | $25,000 |
House Bill 2922 (2023) raised every minimum bond amount by $5,000, effective January 1, 2024. For example, the residential specialty minimum rose from a prior $15,000 to $20,000, and the commercial general level 1 minimum rose from a prior $75,000 to $80,000. If your bond already meets the new amount, it does not need to increase. The home services endorsement covers home warranty services only. What you pay is a small share of the bond amount, set by the surety from your credit and business details.
Two bonds for dual endorsements, and who can claim
Contractors endorsed to do both residential and commercial work must have both a residential and a commercial surety bond. A residential bond is available only for payments the agency determines involving residential or small commercial structures, and a commercial bond only for small or large commercial structures. A property owner can file a CCB complaint against a contractor for breach of contract or improper work. The bond is a promise by the surety to pay all or part of a CCB final order if the contractor fails to pay it, to protect consumers. On a residential bond, within each 90-day period, complaints by the owner of a residential or small commercial structure have payment priority to the full extent of the bond over all other complaint types. Also on a residential bond, the total paid to nonowner complainants from any one bond may not exceed $5,000 (raised from $3,000), and the total paid for costs and interest may not exceed $5,000. If the board requires a higher bond, the nonowner limit generally rises in proportion, and a different formula applies in some cases; confirm with the CCB. The surety's total liability can never exceed the penal sum of the bond. The CCB may require a bond of up to five times the standard amount if the business or an owner or officer has unpaid debts under a CCB final order, arbitration award or determination. For how to file and pursue a claim, follow the process on the CCB website.
The bond form, obligee, term and cancellation
The bond must be issued on a CCB bond form; no other bond form is accepted. It must accompany your license application and is submitted together with the power of attorney. On the residential bond form (Rev 08/2023), the surety must be a corporation authorized to do business in the State of Oregon, and it binds itself to pay the State of Oregon. The bond must be filed with the CCB within 60 days of the date the surety signs it, or it is no longer valid. All bonds must be continuous until canceled, rather than annual or biennial. The bond stays in effect until the surety cancels it or the licensee no longer meets licensing requirements, whichever comes first. A surety may cancel only after giving 30 days' notice to the agency, and a cancellation can trigger an emergency suspension notice to the contractor.
When a deposit applies, and the separate public works bond
There is no general alternative to the surety bond. A letter of credit or cash deposit is allowed only for a qualifying nonprofit organization rehabilitating an illegal drug manufacturing site. Separately, contractors working on qualifying public works projects with a total cost of more than $100,000 must file a $30,000 public works bond with the CCB. That bond is used solely for a prevailing wage claim filed with the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), and HB 2922 did not change public works bonds.
Other CCB requirements
General liability insurance minimums are set by endorsement: not less than $500,000 for a residential general contractor and not less than $2 million for a commercial general contractor level 1. Workers' compensation insurance is required if your business has employees, and commercial contractors must have it. Unless exempt, residential contractors need continuing education each two-year license period: 3 hours of CCB laws, regulations and business practices classes, plus 5 hours of other courses the CCB accepts for credit if you have been licensed six or more years, or 13 hours if licensed less than six years. The CCB page lists a $400 fee for a two-year license; confirm the full fee schedule with the board.
Steps
- Choose your endorsement. Decide which CCB endorsement fits your work, since the bond amount depends on it.
- Train and test. Your Responsible Managing Individual usually completes the 16-hour pre-license training and takes the exam; check the CCB's other qualifying routes and your endorsement's own requirements.
- Get the bond on the CCB form. Have a surety authorized to do business in Oregon issue the bond on the CCB form for your endorsement.
- File it with your application. Submit the bond with the power of attorney alongside your license application, within 60 days of the date the surety signs it.
- Add the other items. Provide your general liability insurance, workers' comp if you have employees (commercial contractors must have it), and the $400 two-year license fee.
- Keep the bond in force. The bond is continuous until canceled; if the surety cancels on 30 days' notice, keep a bond on file so you stay licensed.
- Renew and keep learning. Meet the continuing education for residential endorsements and renew your license.
Licensed? The bonds you'll need to win jobs in Oregon
Your license bond gets you licensed. Bigger jobs, public work and most commercial contracts add contract bonds. We place license and contract bonds, so you can keep one agency as your work grows.
Related guide: All contractor bond types
Bid bonds →
Most public bids, and many private ones, require a bid bond (often 5% to 10% of the bid) with your proposal.
Performance bonds →
Once you win, the owner usually requires a performance bond guaranteeing the job gets finished in Oregon.
Payment bonds →
Guarantees your subcontractors and suppliers get paid. Usually required alongside the performance bond on public work.
Performance & payment bonds →
Most public contracts ask for both bonds together, each commonly at 100% of the contract price.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Oregon contractor license bond?
It is a surety bond the CCB requires; the surety promises to pay all or part of a CCB final order if the contractor does not.
How much is an Oregon CCB bond?
It depends on your endorsement, from $15,000 for a residential limited contractor up to $80,000 for a commercial general contractor level 1.
How much is an Oregon residential contractor bond?
$25,000 for residential general, $20,000 for residential specialty, $15,000 for residential limited, and $15,000 for home services, locksmith, home inspector and home performance score, plus $25,000 for residential developer and $15,000 for residential restoration.
What is the Oregon commercial contractor bond for level 1?
$80,000 for commercial general level 1 and $55,000 for commercial specialty level 1; level 2 and commercial developer are $25,000.
Do I need two bonds for residential and commercial endorsements?
Yes. Contractors endorsed for both residential and commercial work must hold both a residential and a commercial bond.
Did Oregon CCB bond amounts change in 2024?
Yes. HB 2922 raised every minimum by $5,000, effective January 1, 2024; bonds already at the new amount did not need to change.
How long does the bond last?
It is continuous until canceled, and a surety may cancel only after giving 30 days' notice to the CCB.
Is there a separate bond for public works?
Yes. A $30,000 public works bond is required for qualifying public works projects over $100,000, used solely for prevailing wage claims with BOLI.
Compare neighboring states' contractor license bond pages: Washington, California, Nevada and Idaho.
Related guides: Oregon auto dealer bonds, bid bonds, bond vs. insurance, Colorado contractor license bonds, contractor bond cost guide, get a quote, how to get a surety bond, contractor license bond requirements by state, general contractor bond requirements, notary bond requirements, payment bonds, performance bonds, surety bond cost, contractor bond calculator.
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