Blog

The state of Oregon requires both residential and commercial contractors to hold a valid license in order to perform any construction activity involving improvement to real property. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) and the State of Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) are tasked with regulating these licenses and activities.

In the field of commercial construction, licenses must be held by one or more key employees within a company, including:

• Owners
• Corporate officers
• Managers
• Superintendents
• Forepersons/lead persons
• Any employee supervising construction activities

In addition, anyone who wishes to maintain a commercial contractor license must renew it regularly — this will require an application and the completion of continuing education hours. 

What are the requirements to renew your commercial contractor license?

Renewal Requirements

Regardless of the type of contractor license you hold, it will remain valid for only two years from the date of issue, and you will need to renew it before it expires if you want to continue working uninterrupted. Continuing education requirements will vary based on your level of endorsement.

Commercial contractors with a Level 1 endorsement will be required to complete 16 hours of continuing education to maintain a license. If the duty falls to a single owner or employee, 16 hours is sufficient.

However, the number of hours required for a company will depend on the number of key employees specified during the prior renewal. For example, 32 hours are required for two key employees, 48 for three, 64 for four, and 80 for five. Commercial contractors with a Level 2 endorsement must complete 32 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license.

Continuing Education for Commercial Contractors

It’s important to select a suitable continuing education program. Although the CCB does not approve individual providers (i.e., provide accreditation), the law states that acceptable programs may be linked to:

• Colleges and universities (including community colleges)
• Trade schools
• Trade or business associations, including trade shows (with course certification)
• Professional societies
• Private companies
• Public agencies
• In-house training

Before you select a program, there are a couple of key points to consider. First, the course must cover specific topics to satisfy state renewal requirements, including:

• OSHA safety topics (2 hours)
• Lead (1 hour)
• Energy (1 hour)
• Business management (4 hours)
• Building code changes (4 hours)
• Residential code changes (4 hours)

In addition, the program should provide certification as proof of completion for the state. This is a CCB requirement that must be provided by either the license holder or the organization issuing the certificate.

Find a Reliable Continuing Education Course

When seeking a suitable continuing education course, look for a program that meets state renewal requirements, provides you with an instant certificate of completion, and submits the certificate to the state on your behalf. 

For working professionals, a program that offers self-paced learning through mobile-ready training materials that are available 24/7 is preferable.

If you’re ready to renew your Oregon commercial contractor license, RocketCert has everything you need to get the job done, with outstanding technical support and competitive rates. Contact us today to learn more and start your continuing education course.