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Frequently asked questions

The division issues electrical, plumbing, boiler, elevator, and manufactured dwelling licenses for individuals and businesses. Each license has a specific set of requiremen​ts.

S​tart by viewing the list of license​s​ issued by the division linked below. Each list includes important information about the license such as the scope, qualifications, reciprocal license options (where available), exam requir​em​e​nts and codebook information.

​​​​Select the link in the "license program and license title" column of the licenses table to view application instructions.

​ Individual licenses ​​​​​

Contractor and business licenses ​

Start by viewing the list of license​s​ issued by the division linked below. Each list includes important information about the license such as the scope, qualifications, reciprocal ​​license options (whe​​re available), exam requirem​ent​​s and codebook information.

Select the link in the "license program and license title" column of the licenses table to view application instructions.​​

​ Individual licenses ​​​​​​

Contractor and business licenses ​​​

​​​​​​​​​Once you have located the appropri​ate application, thoroughly review the application checklist and instruction pages​ to complete your application​. Send the application and supporting documentation through one of the following methods:

  • Mail: DCBS – Fiscal Services PO Box 14610 Salem, OR 97309-0445
  • Fax: 503-947-2333 - Complete all requested credit card information
  • ​In person: Building Codes Division 1535 Edgewater St NW Salem, OR 97309​

​Once you​r application has been reviewed and approved, you will receive a Letter of Authorization​ to schedule you​r test.

The letter will include the con​tact information ​for the proctor site you chose on your application.​​ Call the proctor site directly to schedule y​our appointment.

You have 60 days from the date of the letter to schedule and take your​ exam.

Get more information about taking exams ​​​​​

Your exam location is set at the time y​our Letter of ​Authorization is created.

If you would like to change locations a​fte​r rece​iving your letter, you will have to pay the li​​cense fee and a new letter will be created at that time.​​

Get more information about taking exams​​

Your State of Oregon BCD license i​s recognized as ​state-issued ID. While a photo is not required, we do strongly sugges​t you submit a photo to be printed on your ca​​rd for quick identification and to avoid fraudulent use.​

Applicants must submit a 2-inch by 2-inch passport-sty​le photo. Write your name on the back of your photo and submit it with your application. This photo will be printed on your license when it is issued. Do not staple the photo.

Completion of an apprenticeship program is required for some licenses, including reciprocal licenses.

For most licenses, you can qualify to take the exam by prov​iding proof of completion of an equivalent apprenticeship OR submitting double the numbe​​r of required on-the-job work hours.​

The qualifications for​ each license type can be found in th​e “License information" column for each license on the “Individual licenses" webpage. Reciprocal license qualifications can be found on the reciprocal license application linked on the “Reciprocal licenses" webpage.

​ Individual licenses ​​​​​​

Reciprocal licenses ​​​

The State of Oregon ​has reciprocity agreements with other states ​for the following individual licenses:

  • General Journeyman Electrician (J)​
  • General Supervising Electrician (S)
  • Journeyman Plumbers​ (​JP)

​​​​Get more information about reciprocal licenses

​​

To request verification of license​ status and testing scores from the Building Codes Division, complete the License Verificat​ion Request Form and submit it to the email address: bcd.verifications@dcbs.oregon.gov .

License Verification Request Form​​​

Processing time: 4 to 6 weeks​

Send your Washington Part C verification form by one of the following methods:

  • ​ Mail: DCBS – Fiscal Services PO Box 14610 Salem, OR 97309-0445
  • ​ Secure Fax: 503-947-2333​​
  • In person: Building Codes Division 1535 Edgewater St NW Salem, OR 97309
  • Email: bcd.verifications@dcbs.oregon.gov

Processing time: 4 to 6 weeks

** DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER​

You can access your reported Continuing Education ​(CE) hours through the License Holder Search.

Use​ the link below to search for the continuing education credits applied to your license.

Expect your hours to show wi​thin 5 to 7 business days​ of su​bmittal to your provider. If you don't see credits applie​d to your license, please contact the pr​ovider. Providers submit hours directly to each license with no additional wait time from Building Codes Division.

Check your CE​ credits​

If you need more CE credits for your license, visit the link below for a list of approved providers and courses.

Approved CE providers and courses​

You can update the address and conta​ct information associated with your license online.

Update your address​​

Complete the License/Certification Information Change/Duplicate Request form. Thoroughly review the application checklist and instruction pages to complete your application. Include the $10 fee and a new wallet card will be mailed to you in 7 to 10 business days.

License/Certification Information Change/Duplicate Request form

Send the application and supporting documentation through one of the following methods:

  • Mail: DCBS – Fiscal Services PO Box 14610 Salem, OR 97309-0445
  • Secure Fax: 503-947-2333 | Complete all requested credit card information.
  • In person: Building Codes Division 1535 Edgewater St NW Salem, OR 97309

​​Most licenses within a license type expire at the same time and on a three-year cycle. The first cycle may seem short if the license was issued in the middle of the current license cycle.​​​​

If your license requires continuing education to renew, you’ll no​tice that some hours have been prorated to help you meet your requirements.

The next renewal date for each ​license issued by the division can be found on the Individual licenses webpage or the Contractor and business licenses​ webpage in the "License information"​ column of the list.

Licenses issued 60 days before the renewal date of the license type will have the next renewal date.​

​ Individual licenses ​​​​​

Contractor and business licenses ​

All division-issued licenses are eligible for online renewa​l w​ithin 60 days of the expiration date. The expiration date is listed on the front of the license. Renewal notices are mailed to the licensee's address on file 45 days prior to expiration.

Renew your license​​​

Every time you renew your license online you will be required to register.

For your individual license, click Register a Person in the left navigation of the License Management page. Use your last name and license number to view your account credentials.

For your business/contactor license click Register a Business​ in the left navigation of the License Management page. Use your last name and license number to view your account credentials.

View online instructions to renew your individual license​

Get more information about license renewals​​

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