Introduction
Generally, Oregon requires anyone working for compensation in any construction activity involving improvements to real property to have an Oregon contractors license. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board website can help you to navigate through the requirements and application.
You must be at least 18 years old to get your license in Oregon. You must also complete at least 16 hours of pre-license training. The pre-licensing training must be from an approved pre-licensing education provider and pass the Oregon exam.
Oregon requires you to pass the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management exam. There are 80 multiple choice questions, with a passing score of 70% (56 correct answers). You have 180 minutes to complete the exam, and the cost is $60.
If you have already passed the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors, you do not have to complete the 16-hour pre-license training. To become eligible to sit for the business and law exam, applicants will provide a transcript of their NASCLA accredited exam passage to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). However, you will still need to pass the Oregon business and law exam.
Conclusion
While the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is not a requirement to get your Oregon contractors license, it can still assist you in the reciprocity. If you are only going to perform work in Oregon, getting the 16-hour training and skipping the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors may be the way to go. However, if you were previously licensed in a state and had taken the NASCLA exam you will save time by skipping the 16-hour training.