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Oregon Health Authority

Health Licensing Office

The State of Oregon's Health Licensing Office (HLO), part of the Oregon Health Authority's Public Health Division, is a central licensing and regulatory office that oversees multiple health and related professions. HLO protects the health, safety and rights of Oregon consumers by ensuring only qualified applicants are authorized to practice. HLO reviews and approves applicant qualifications, conducts examinations, inspects thousands of licensed facilities and independent contractors, responds to and investigates consumer complaints, and disciplines licensees who are found in violation of state requirements.

To that end, HLO works with 19 boards, councils and programs in the State of Oregon.

New office and testing hours begin August 1, 2024:

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Testing Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Examination testing cutoff time is 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for all in-office examinations. You will need to return another day to sit for your examination(s) if you arrive to our office and check in after 1 p.m.

Information Line: (503) 378-8667

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Health Licensing Office
The Health Licensing Office is located at:
1430 Tandem Ave. NE, Suite 180, Salem, OR 97301
Information Line (503) 378-8667






 Latest News

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IntroText

Upcoming HLO Closures Due to State Holidays

​Mark your calendar and note that the Health Licensing Office (and all State of Oregon agencies) will be closed on the following state holidays:

  • Wednesday, December 25, 2024, for Christmas
  • Wednesday, January 1, 2025, for New Year's Day
  • Monday, January 20, 2025, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Sign Language Interpreters - Limited Waiver on Enforcement Extended

While the Oregon Board of Sign Language Interpreters, Rules Advisory Committee continues to work through the rule writing process to make rule language recommendations to the Board, the Health Licensing Office (HLO) is extending the limited waiver on enforcement through midnight on June 30, 2025. This means that the HLO is exercising its discretion to not take disciplinary action against individuals who are required to be licensed and choose to work under the limited waiver on enforcement, i.e., not obtain a permanent board license (permanent license).

The limited waiver of enforcement is narrow; the waiver only applies to the singular issue of providing sign language interpretation services in Oregon without a license. The HLO may impose discipline for any other violation of the HLO or Board rules or statutes. The limited waiver of enforcement ends on June 30, 2025. On July 1, 2025, any individual not covered by an exception and providing sign language interpreting (SLI) services will need to have a permanent license to avoid enforcement action by HLO.

2025 Hearing Aid Specialist Practical Exam Dates Announced

​The Health Licensing Office (HLO) administers a final practical examination required for individuals to obtain licensure in Oregon as a Hearing Aid Specialist. The examination is administered quarterly at the HLO in Salem, Oregon. The 2025 exam dates are:

  • January 13, 2025 (apply by December 4, 2024)
  • April 7, 2025 (apply by March 5, 2025)
  • July 14, 2025 (apply by June 11, 2025)
  • October 6, 2025 (apply by September 3, 2025)

All examination will be held at the following location:

​Health Licensing Office
1430 Tandem Ave. NE, Suite 180
Salem, OR 97301

For more information, see the license information page.​

Oregon Board of Cosmetology - Permanent Administrative Rules Effective July 1, 2024

Permanent Oregon Administrative Rules (rules) for the Board of Cosmetology became effective on July 1, 2024. A summary of rule changes is listed below. For an official copy of the rules, see our Board of Cosmetology Laws and Rules webpage. ​

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