OR General Contractor cheat sheet

Oregon requires a CCB (Construction Contractors Board) license for anyone who, for compensation, arranges, offers to arrange, or performs construction work on real property; residential and commercial licenses are separate endorsements.

License types: Residential General Contractor, Residential Specialty Contractor, Residential Limited Contractor, Residential Developer, Commercial General Contractor (Level 1 unlimited, Level 2 up to $2.5 million per project), and Commercial Specialty Contractor.

A residential general contractor must carry at least $500,000 per-occurrence general liability insurance; residential specialty contractors carry at least $250,000 (with a $500,000 aggregate). Commercial contractors must show $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.

Surety bond minimums: residential general contractor $25,000; residential specialty $15,000; residential limited $10,000; commercial general Level 1 $75,000; commercial general Level 2 $50,000; commercial specialty $20,000.

CCB licenses expire two years from the date of issuance and renew on a staggered biennial cycle; a contractor may not perform work while the license is expired, suspended, or inactive.

Each job requires a written contract for residential work over $2,000 that includes the CCB consumer notice statement, the contractor's license number, and the consumer's right to a 3-business-day right to cancel.

The CCB handles consumer complaints and may order repair, refund, or payment from the bond or the Residential Contractor Recovery Fund; complaints must generally be filed within one year of discovering the defect and no later than two years after completion.

Contractors must include their CCB license number on all advertisements, contracts, bids, permits, and business vehicles; failure is a licensing violation subject to civil penalty.

An unlicensed contractor cannot bring a court action to collect compensation for construction work, and a homeowner may recover amounts paid to an unlicensed contractor.

Oregon's consumer protection statutes prohibit unfair or deceptive trade practices in construction, including false statements about license status, insurance, bonding, or the scope of work performed.

Residential contracts over $2,000 must be in writing and must disclose the contractor's name, address, CCB number, description of work, materials, total price, payment schedule, and start/completion dates.

The homeowner has a 3-business-day right to cancel a residential construction contract; the notice must be printed in at least 10-point bold type and the cancellation period runs from the date the contract is signed.

Contractors may not demand or receive more than one-third of the contract price as a down payment before work begins on a residential project.

A written change order signed by the owner is required before performing work outside the original contract scope; oral changes are unenforceable for price adjustments.

Lien rights: a construction lien must be filed within 75 days after the contractor's last day of work; a Notice of Right to Lien must be given to the owner within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials for a project.

Oregon's prompt payment statute requires owners to pay contractors within 30 days of a proper invoice and contractors to pay subcontractors within 7 days of receiving payment.

Contractors must maintain records of contracts, change orders, invoices, and payroll for at least three years; prevailing-wage projects require certified payroll records.

Oregon adopts the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (based on the IRC) for one- and two-family dwellings and the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (based on the IBC) for commercial construction; local amendments are limited.

Oregon's seismic design requirements follow the ASCE 7 seismic provisions with the state's mapped spectral accelerations; coastal and valley regions have differing Seismic Design Categories.

OSHA fall protection is required at 6 feet for general construction and 10 feet for scaffolding; guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems are acceptable controls.

Excavations 5 feet or deeper require protective systems (sloping, shoring, or shielding) and a competent person must inspect daily before workers enter.

Permits are required for structural work, additions, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical changes; the permit must be posted on site and inspections requested at required stages.

Oregon's energy code (Chapter 11 of the residential code) sets insulation, window U-factor, and air-sealing requirements; blower-door testing is required for new dwellings.

Ladder safety: maintain a 4:1 slope for extension ladders, extend 3 feet above the landing, and secure the top; never stand on the top two rungs.

Concrete strength and mix design follow ACI 318 and Oregon amendments; minimum compressive strength for structural concrete is typically 2,500 psi for foundations and 3,000 psi for slabs on grade.

The Oregon contractor exam tests three areas: Oregon construction law and CCB rules, business practices and consumer protection, and construction technology, codes, and safety.

The residential general contractor exam is 100 questions with a 180-minute time limit; a passing score is 70 percent overall and 70 percent in each section.

Applicants must pass the exam, submit fingerprints for a background check, and provide proof of insurance and bonding before the CCB issues a license.

Continuing education: residential general and specialty contractors must complete 8 hours of CCB-approved continuing education per two-year renewal cycle, including 3 hours of laws, regulations, and business practices and 5 hours of industry-related topics.

The exam is open-book for the Oregon statutes and rules references provided at the test center; candidates should tab and annotate the provided reference materials before starting.

The CCB license number format is a six-digit number; verify a contractor's license status, bond, and insurance through the CCB online search before signing a contract.

A contractor must notify the CCB within 10 days of any change in business name, address, ownership, or responsible managing individual.

Workers' compensation coverage is required for all employers with one or more employees; sole proprietors and corporate officers may be exempt but must file the appropriate exemption form.

The CCB's Residential Contractor Recovery Fund pays consumers who obtain a judgment against a licensed contractor that cannot be satisfied; the fund is capped per claim and per contractor.

A contractor must provide a written warranty or disclose any express warranty terms in the contract; implied warranties of workmanlike quality and habitability apply to residential construction.

Oregon's statute of limitations for written contracts is 6 years; for construction defect claims the period is generally 2 years from discovery, with a 10-year statute of repose for improvements to real property.

The CCB may impose civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation for unlicensed contracting and up to $1,000 per violation for other licensing violations.

A Notice of Right to Lien must be given within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials for a project; failure to give notice can forfeit lien rights against the owner.

The CCB consumer complaint process requires the contractor to respond within 14 days; failure to respond can result in a default order and license suspension.

Contractors must disclose in writing if they use subcontractors and must verify that subcontractors hold valid CCB licenses and carry required insurance.

Bid documents must state the scope of work, exclusions, allowances, and the license number; unit-price bids must specify quantities and unit costs.

Oregon OSHA requires a written safety program for employers with 10 or more employees; smaller employers must have an accident prevention plan.

Scaffold platforms must be fully planked, with a 4:1 height-to-base ratio for supported scaffolds and a 3-foot guardrail with a 4-inch toe board.

Oregon's electrical code adopts the NEC with state amendments; all electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician and inspected by the state electrical inspector.

The Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code and Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code govern plumbing and HVAC work; permits and inspections are required for new installations and major alterations.

Radon-resistant construction is required in designated counties; the system includes a soil-gas barrier, a vent pipe, and a junction box for a future fan.

Oregon's wildfire hazard mitigation requirements apply to new construction in high-hazard zones; roofing, siding, decking, and vent materials must meet ignition-resistant standards.

Excavation near utilities requires calling the Oregon Utility Notification Center (811) at least 2 business days before digging; the locate request is valid for 10 business days.

Personal protective equipment: hard hats where overhead hazards exist, safety glasses for cutting and grinding, hearing protection above 85 dBA, and gloves for material handling.

The CCB may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license for unlicensed activity, failure to maintain insurance or bond, failure to complete continuing education, or failure to respond to a complaint.

A contractor whose license is suspended must stop all work, including work already under contract, until the suspension is lifted; continuing to work is a violation subject to civil penalty.

The CCB publishes a list of licensed contractors and a list of contractors with disciplinary actions; consumers can search by name, license number, or business name.

A contractor must maintain the required bond and insurance continuously; a lapse of more than 30 days may result in license suspension.

The CCB's arbitration program may be used to resolve disputes between consumers and contractors; arbitration awards are binding when both parties agree in writing.

A contractor must provide a written contract for any residential job over $2,000; the contract must include a statement of the contractor's CCB license number and a notice of the consumer's right to cancel.

An unlicensed contractor who performs work may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation and may be ordered to refund all compensation received.

The CCB requires contractors to display their license number on all business vehicles, advertisements, and contracts; failure is a violation subject to a civil penalty.

A residential construction contract must include a payment schedule that does not exceed one-third of the contract price as a down payment and must tie progress payments to completed work.

The contract must include a statement of the contractor's CCB license number, the consumer notice statement, and the 3-business-day right to cancel.

Change orders must be in writing and signed by the owner before the additional work is performed; the change order must state the price and time impact.

A contractor may not withhold final payment or refuse to complete work as leverage in a dispute; disputes must be resolved through the contract's dispute-resolution clause.

Retainage on private commercial projects is limited to 5 percent of the contract price; on public projects the limit is 5 percent until substantial completion.

The contractor must provide a Notice of Right to Lien within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials; the lien must be filed within 75 days after the last day of work.

A contractor may not include a clause in a residential contract that waives the consumer's right to file a CCB complaint or to seek arbitration.

Contracts must state the start and completion dates or a reasonable estimate; delays caused by weather or material shortages should be addressed in a delay clause.

The Oregon Residential Specialty Code applies to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses; the Oregon Structural Specialty Code applies to commercial and multifamily buildings.

Permits must be obtained before starting work; the permit must be posted on site and inspections requested at foundation, framing, rough-in, insulation, and final stages.

Footing and foundation requirements: minimum footing width and depth are set by the code based on soil bearing capacity; reinforcement must be placed per the approved plans.

Framing inspection requires verification of joist and rafter spans, header sizes, and seismic hold-downs; the approved plans must be on site.

Egress requirements: every sleeping room must have an operable emergency escape opening with a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet and a minimum width of 20 inches.

Stairways must have a minimum headroom of 6 feet 8 inches, a maximum riser height of 7.75 inches, and a minimum tread depth of 10 inches.

Smoke alarms are required in each sleeping room and outside each sleeping area; carbon monoxide alarms are required where fuel-burning appliances are installed.

Final inspection requires verification that all permitted work is complete, all prior inspections are signed off, and the site is free of debris and hazards.

The exam is computer-based and taken at a PSI testing center; candidates must bring a valid photo ID and may not bring reference materials unless the exam allows the provided code books.

The exam is divided into sections scored separately; a candidate must achieve at least 70 percent in each section to pass, not just an overall average.

Time management: allocate roughly 1.5 minutes per question, flag difficult questions, and return to them after completing the easier ones.

Read each question carefully for words like 'not', 'except', and 'minimum'; these change the correct answer and are common sources of error.

Use the provided reference materials to verify specific numbers such as bond amounts, insurance minimums, and time limits rather than relying on memory.

Eliminate obviously wrong answers first; if two answers remain, choose the one that matches the exact language of the statute or code reference.

Review the CCB's licensing and consumer protection rules before the exam; questions often test specific dollar amounts and deadlines.

Schedule the exam at least two weeks in advance and confirm the test center location and required identification documents.

Residential general contractors must carry at least $500,000 per-occurrence general liability insurance and a $25,000 surety bond; residential specialty contractors carry $250,000/$500,000 aggregate and a $15,000 bond.

Commercial general contractors Level 1 must carry $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate and a $75,000 bond; Level 2 carries the same insurance and a $50,000 bond.

Workers' compensation insurance is required for all employers with one or more employees; sole proprietors and corporate officers may file an exemption with the CCB.

The CCB requires proof of insurance and bonding before issuing or renewing a license; a lapse of more than 30 days may result in suspension.

A surety bond is a three-party agreement among the contractor, the surety, and the obligee (the CCB); the bond protects consumers who obtain a judgment against the contractor.

General liability insurance covers third-party bodily injury and property damage; it does not cover the contractor's own employees, which is the role of workers' compensation.

Contractors should verify that subcontractors carry their own insurance and bonding; the general contractor may be liable for uninsured subcontractors' acts.

An insurance certificate must name the contractor as the insured and show the policy effective dates, limits, and the CCB as the certificate holder.

Oregon OSHA requires employers to maintain a written hazard communication program and safety data sheets for all hazardous chemicals on site.

Fall protection is required at 6 feet in general construction; guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems are acceptable controls.

Excavations 5 feet or deeper require protective systems; a competent person must inspect the excavation daily before workers enter.

Scaffold platforms must be fully planked with guardrails and toe boards; supported scaffolds must maintain a 4:1 height-to-base ratio.

Ladder safety: extension ladders at a 4:1 slope, extending 3 feet above the landing, and never standing on the top two rungs.

Personal protective equipment requirements: hard hats where overhead hazards exist, safety glasses for cutting and grinding, hearing protection above 85 dBA, and gloves for material handling.

Oregon OSHA requires employers with 10 or more employees to maintain a written safety program; smaller employers must have an accident prevention plan.

Call 811 at least 2 business days before digging; the locate request is valid for 10 business days and must be renewed if work extends beyond that period.

A residential construction contract over $2,000 must be in writing and include the contractor's CCB license number, the consumer notice statement, and the 3-business-day right to cancel.

The homeowner may cancel a residential construction contract within 3 business days of signing; the notice must be in at least 10-point bold type.

A contractor may not demand more than one-third of the contract price as a down payment before work begins on a residential project.

The CCB may order a contractor to repair, refund, or pay from the bond or the Residential Contractor Recovery Fund; complaints must be filed within one year of discovering the defect and no later than two years after completion.

A Notice of Right to Lien must be given within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials; the lien must be filed within 75 days after the last day of work.

Oregon's prompt payment statute requires owners to pay contractors within 30 days of a proper invoice and contractors to pay subcontractors within 7 days of receiving payment.

A contractor must notify the CCB within 10 days of any change in business name, address, ownership, or responsible managing individual.

The CCB may impose civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation for unlicensed contracting and up to $1,000 per violation for other licensing violations.

Oregon adopts the Oregon Residential Specialty Code for one- and two-family dwellings and the Oregon Structural Specialty Code for commercial construction; local amendments are limited.

Concrete compressive strength: minimum 2,500 psi for foundations and 3,000 psi for slabs on grade, per ACI 318 and Oregon amendments.

Egress: every sleeping room must have an operable emergency escape opening with a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet and a minimum width of 20 inches.

Stairways: minimum headroom of 6 feet 8 inches, maximum riser height of 7.75 inches, and minimum tread depth of 10 inches.

Smoke alarms are required in each sleeping room and outside each sleeping area; carbon monoxide alarms are required where fuel-burning appliances are installed.

Radon-resistant construction is required in designated counties; the system includes a soil-gas barrier, a vent pipe, and a junction box for a future fan.

Oregon's wildfire hazard mitigation requirements apply to new construction in high-hazard zones; roofing, siding, decking, and vent materials must meet ignition-resistant standards.

Permits are required for structural work, additions, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical changes; the permit must be posted on site and inspections requested at required stages.