Electrical Contractors in the State of Oregon are required to hold a license from the Department of Consumer & Business Services’ Building Codes Division (BCD). The BCD issues licenses to both individuals and businesses working on electrical projects within the state.
As part of the licensing process, contractors are required to complete and submit an application, proving that they meet the Division’s requirement for work experience and/or training. Additionally, contractors are required to take and pass a qualifying examination.
License Classifications for Electrical Contractors in Oregon
The BCD offers the following license classifications to Electrical Contractors:
- General Supervising Electrician (S)
- Limited Supervising Electrician (PS)
- General Journeyman Electrician (J)
- Limited Journeyman Manufacturing Plant Electrician (PJ)
- Limited Journeyman Sign Electrician (SIG)
- Limited Journeyman Stage Electrician (STG)
- Limited Residential Electrician (LR)
- Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME)
- Limited Energy Technician Class A (LEA)
- Limited Energy Technician Class B (LEB)
- Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT)
- Maintenance Manufactured Structures (LMM)
- Limited Building Maintenance Electrician (BME)
Page 2 of the license application instructions, located inside the application packet, lists each license classification and describes the type of work that each classification may perform. For more information, please view the license application.
Process to Obtain an Electrical Contractor License in Oregon
- Contractors must meet the Division’s requirement for work experience and/or training based on their chosen license classification
- Contractors must complete and submit an application to the BCD along with all the required documents and fees
- Contractors must take and pass a qualifying exam with a score of at least 75%.
- Contractors must wear or visually display their license at all job sites upon receiving their license
- Contractors must attend continuing education courses upon renewal.
Work Experience and Training Requirement
In order to qualify for the exam, contractors are required to meet an experience requirement.
The BCD reviews and approves license applications based on the contractor’s work experience, training and education. Each license classification has a different experience and/or training requirement.
For example:
- General Supervising Electrician (S)- applicants are required to hold or meet the qualifications needed to hold a General Journeyman license. Additionally, they must prove 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience as a journeyman.
- Limited Supervising Electrician (PS)- applicants are required to hold or meet the qualifications needed to hold a Limited Journeyman Manufacturing Plant Electrician license. Additionally, they must prove 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience.
- General Journeyman Electrician (J)- applicants must complete an apprenticeship program in the State of Oregon OR prove that they have 576 hours of classroom training with an additional 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience. Hours must be broken up with at least 1,000 hours in each, the commercial, residential and industrial fields.
The work experience/training requirement for all other license classifications are listed on Page 2 of the application instructions, located inside the application packet.
The BCD requires that all contractors submit verifiable proof of their education, work experiences and training.
Applicants who are required to prove training experience must submit a certificate of completion from a registered apprenticeship program. The Division will also accept a letter from the registered training committee or a board-approved training program, stating that the contractor is qualified to take the exam.
*The Division will accept the completion of a non-registered apprenticeship program if the program meets Oregon’s standards for apprenticeship training.
Some key things to remember about the experience requirement include:
- Twice the amount of work experience may count as the equivalent of a training requirement
- The Division counts no more than 2,000 hours of work experience per year
- Persons who may verify the contractor’s work experience include current and past employers
- All work experiences must be lawful experiences in order to count toward the requirement. The BCD determines what is considered a lawful work experience
Please note that ALL applicants are required to provide proof that they hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Preparing and Submitting an Application
Once the contractor meets the Division’s requirement for work experience/training, they must complete a license application in order to gain approval to take the exam.
BCD also offers an online version of the application. The application comes in a format for both indiviuals and businesses.
Be sure to read and follow all instructions included with the application. To prevent delays in the licensing process, be sure to submit all the required documents and fees.
Contractors are required to complete and submit the following along with the application:
- Verification of Work Experience
- Sign and Date the Affidavit
- Submit proof of high school diploma or GED
- Indicate a preferred testing center location
- Include a 2×2 passport-sized photo with the contractor’s name written on the back
- Include the appropriate fees
All fees are non-refundable. Be sure to include the appropriate fee, based on the contractor’s chosen license classification. The cost to apply is:
- General Supervising Electrician (S)- $100
- Limited Supervising Electrician (PS)- $100
- General Journeyman Electrician (J)- $100
- Limited Journeyman Manufacturing Plant Electrician (PJ)- $100
- Limited Journeyman Sign Electrician (SIG)- $50
- Limited Journeyman Stage Electrician (STG)- $50
- Limited Residential Electrician (LR)- $100
- Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME)- $100
- Limited Energy Technician Class A (LEA)- $50
- Limited Energy Technician Class B (LEB)- $50
- Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT)- $50
- Maintenance Manufactured Structures (LMM)- $100
- Limited Building Maintenance Electrician (BME)- $50
Mail the completed application, along with all the required documents and fees to:
DCBS Fiscal Services
P.O. Box 14610
Salem, OR 97309-0445
Once the contractor’s application is approved, they will receive a letter of authorization from BCD letting them know that they may sit for the exam.
For questions about the application or the licensing process, please contact BCD:
By Phone: 503-373-1268
OR
The Examination
BCD’s exam authorization letter will contain details about the exam, including the time, date and location of the tests offered. The letter will also contain contact information so the contractor may schedule their exam.
It is the contractor’s responsibility to schedule their exam once they receive the authorization letter. The exam must be taken within 60 days of the contractor receiving their letter of authorization.
Testing centers are located in the following cities:
- Portland
- Salem
- Ontario
- Coos Bay
- Pendleton
- White City
- Roseburg
- Newport
- Bend
- Klamath Falls
- Eugene
On the day of the exam, contractors are required to present their letter of authorization and a photo ID at check-in. Contractors will not be able to sit for the exam without these items.
Contractors are required to pass the exam with a score of at least 75%.
Scores are transferred from the testing center to BCD. The Division usually mails out scores within 2 weeks of the exam.
*BCD does not provide exam scores over the phone.
If the contractor does not pass the exam on their first attempt, they must wait 30 days before they may schedule a re-test.
Upon passing the exam, BCD will issue the contractor’s license via mail.
For more information about the exam or the examination process, contact BCD:
By Phone: 503-373-1268
OR
Visible License Requirement
Upon receiving their license, contractors are required to wear or visibly display their license card at all job sites.
Licenses must be worn or displayed whenever the contractor is installing, repairing or altering electrical wiring and systems.
BCD requires that contractors display their original license, and not a copy. If the contractor deems it safe to wear their license card on their person, BCD recommends using a clear pocket badge holder or clip.
Contactors must also keep identification on them at all times when conducting business.
The Division routinely dispatches inspectors to ensure that all contractors are following the visible license requirement.
How Long is an Oregon Electrical Contractor License Valid?
Electrical Contractor license classifications are good for a period of 3 years in the State of Oregon. There is an expiration date printed on each license. BCD mails out renewal reminders within 30 days of expiration.
All licenses are eligible for online renewal within 45 days of expiration.
Renewal forms are available online for individuals and businesses.
In order to renew, most electrical license classifications require that the contractor attend Division-approved continuing education courses. The following classifications are required to complete the following credit hours:
- General Supervising Electrician (S)- 24 credits
- Limited Supervising Electrician (PS)-24 credits
- General Journeyman Electrician (J)- 24 credits
- Limited Journeyman Manufacturing Plant Electrician (PJ)- 16 credits
- Limited Journeyman Sign Electrician (SIG)- 4 credits
- Limited Residential Electrician (LR)- 16 credits
- Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME)- 8 credits
- Limited Energy Technician Class A (LEA)- 8 credits
- Limited Energy Technician Class B (LEB)- 8 credits
- Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT)- 4 credits
*Classifications not listed are not required to attend continuing education courses upon renewal.
For more information about continuing education, please visit both the training and continuing education pages of the Building Codes Division website.
For more information about the license renewal process, please contact BCD:
By Phone: 503-373-1268
OR
Table of Fees
| Fee | What is it For? | When is it Due? |
| $100 | Application fee for a class S, PS, J, PJ, LR, LME and LMM license | Upon submitting the license application |
| $50 | Application fee for a class SIG, STG, LEA, LEB, LRT and BME license | Upon submitting the license application |