State Roofing License: How to Become a Roofing Contractor in Oregon

Table of Contents

1. Roofing License Requirements in Oregon

2. Who Issues Roofing Licenses in Oregon?

3. Types of Roofing Licenses in Oregon

4. Steps to Get a Roofing License in Oregon

5. How Much Does it Cost to Get a Roofing License in Oregon?

6. How Long Does it Take to Get a Roofing License in Oregon?

7. Oregon Roofer Training Programs and Schools

8. Oregon Roofing Licensing Exam Details

9. Do I Need to Renew My Oregon Roofing License?

10. Continuing Education

11. Does Oregon Reciprocate Roofing Licenses?

12. National Roofing Certifications

We all need a good roof over our heads, so the people who build and maintain that part of our homes need to know what they’re doing. Many states require roofers to be licensed. Others simply require proof of insurance coverage to back up that essential work. 

There are 168,100 roofers nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and Oregon employs 3,690 of them. The national number is projected to grow 6% by 2033, adding more than 13,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. According to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate in Oregon is more than double the national average at 14% for roofers. 

If you’re thinking about starting a roofing contracting business or you want a job in the roofing industry, you need to know the requirements and licensing process in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need to get started in the state of Oregon.

Roofing Contractor License Requirements in Oregon

Oregon law requires anyone who works for compensation in any construction activity involving improvements to real property to hold an Oregon contractor license. This includes roofing, siding, painting, carpentry, and more.

Requirements to licensure include:

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Complete a 16-hour pre-license training

• Pass an exam

• Register your business (LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation) with the Oregon Secretary of State

• Obtain general liability insurance, a surety bond, and workers’ compensation if you plan to hire employees

• Pay a $325 license application fee

• Obtain four years of experience for a Level 2 license, or eight years for Level 1

  • Completion of an apprenticeship program or a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field may substitute for up to three years of experience.

  • A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in business, finance, or economics may substitute for up to two years of experience.

  • An associate’s degree in construction or building management may substitute for up to one year of experience.

Who Issues Roofing Licenses in Oregon?

The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (Oregon CCB) oversees construction licensing in the state. 

Types of Roofing Licenses in Oregon

There are a number of endorsements for commercial and residential general contractors in Oregon. 

Those applicable to roofing include: 

• Residential Specialty Contractor (RSC): Performs work involving one or two unrelated building trades for residential or small commercial projects. May perform work on a single property involving three or more unrelated building trades if the contract for labor and materials is $2,500 or less. 

• Small commercial is defined as:

  • A non-residential structure of 10,000 square feet or less that’s not more than 20 feet high

  • A non-residential unit that’s part of a larger structure, if the unit is 12,000 square feet or less and is not more than 20 feet high

  • A non-residential structure of any size as long as the entire contract of all construction work to be performed on the structure is $250,000 or less

• Residential Limited Contractor (RLC): Common license type for a part-time worker or handyman. May supervise, arrange, and/or perform an unlimited number of unrelated building trades involving residential or small commercial structures, if they meet the following requirements:

  • Expects gross sales of less than $40,000 from all construction business in the next year

  • Doesn’t contract to perform work valued higher than $5,000

  • Agrees that if gross construction business volume exceeds $40,000 during the year, they will immediately notify the CCB, update their endorsement, and increase bond and insurance coverage as required

• Home Service Contractor (HSC): May operate a business offering service, repair, or replacement under a home services warranty agreement.

• Residential Restoration Contractor (RRC): May operate a business offering restoration services for residential and small commercial structures.

• Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1 (CSC1): Performs work involving one or two unrelated building trades for small or large commercial projects. 

• Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 2 (CSC2): Level 1 and 2 Commercial Specialty Contractors are certified for the same work. Only bond and insurance amount requirements differ. 

There are also separate license types for home inspector services contractors, residential developers, and commercial developers.

Steps to Get a Roofing License in Oregon

No matter the endorsement, the licensing process involves the same steps. They include:

1. Select license endorsements based on the type of work you complete. 

2. Meet experience requirements.

3. Register your company’s business structure and business name with the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division.

4. Obtain a CCB surety bond, general liability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance (if you plan to have employees). The required amounts are based on endorsement type and outlined in the CCB License Endorsements Chart.

5. Complete 16 hours of pre-license training from an approved pre-license education provider. 

6. Pass an exam based on the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management (Oregon version).

7. Fill out the application online or download a paper application. Submit the application with the bond with power of attorney, insurance certificates, copy of your test score, and a $325 application fee. 

What Business Owners Need to Know

Getting the most out of a roofing technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one roofing software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly. 

ServiceTitan features:

• SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit

• Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app

• Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency

• The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes

• Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive the average ticket

• Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow

To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Roofing License in Oregon?

The costs associated with obtaining a contractor license in Oregon include $325 for the application fee and $60 for the test. There’s also a fee for the training course, which varies. Current online classes range from $84 to $399 with a manual or $23 to $450 without a manual. In-person offerings range from $250 to $550 with a manual or $200 to $500 without a manual.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Roofing License in Oregon?

The Commercial Specialty license requires four years of experience for a Level 2 license, or eight years for Level 1. Application processing takes about eight weeks. 

Oregon Roofer Training Programs and Schools

Schooling can count toward some of the experience requirements for licensure. An apprenticeship program or a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field may substitute for up to three years of experience. A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in business, finance, or economics may substitute for up to two years of experience. An associate’s degree in construction or building management may substitute for up to one year of experience.

If you choose to start your career path at a college or university, you can pursue a degree in construction management or construction engineering. There are many higher-education options throughout Oregon that offer these types of programs.

Here are a few options:

• Lane Community College | Eugene | Certificate, AAS in Construction Technology — 1-2 years

• Oregon State University | Corvallis | BS in Construction Engineering Management — 4 years

• Oregon Tech | Klamath Falls | BS in Construction Management — 4 years

Oregon Roofing Licensing Exam Details

Upon completing the training course, the pre-licensing course instructor will direct you to the testin​g facilitator. The open-book exam is based on the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management (Oregon version).

Do I Need to Renew My Oregon Roofing License?

Yes, licensed contractors must renew every two years for a $325 fee. 

Continuing Education

Continuing education is required before renewal, and the amount of hours depends on the license type.

Residential license holders must complete 3 hours of CCB laws, regulations, and business practices classes as well as 5 hours of CCB-approved courses if they have been licensed six or more years, or 13 hours if they have been licensed less than six years. 

Level 1 Specialty contractors need 32 hours of continuing education prior to renewal. 

The CCB maintains an online catalog of approved courses.

Does Oregon Reciprocate Roofing Licenses?

Oregon does not grant general contractor license reciprocity to any other state. Applicants who have passed an NASCLA-accredited exam for commercial general building can request exemption from pre-licensure training, but still need to pass the exam. 

National and State Roofing Certifications

Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The National Association of Roofing Contractors offers certification. Professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money. 

You can also learn more about certification and roofing in Oregon through one of the industry associations in the state. They include:

• Associated Roofing Contractors of Oregon and Southwest Washington

• Associated General Contractors Oregon Columbia Chapter

Resources

You can stay up to date on all roofing industry news several ways:

• Check top roofing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.

• Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your roofing business.

• Listen to top roofing podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.

The states have licensing requirements for other trades, too. You can find out more about how to get an HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or general contractor license in Oregon, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.