Contractor License from California to Oregon: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); Building Codes Division (BCD) for electrical/plumbing ↗
A contractor license transfers from California to Oregon by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); Building Codes Division (BCD) for electrical/plumbing, verify your California license, and meet Oregon's endorsement requirements. Commercial general building contractors may submit a passing NASCLA Accredited Examination transcript in lieu of the 16-hour pre-license training but must still pass the Oregon law/business exam. The Building Codes Division waives the trade exam for reciprocal journeyman/supervising electricians and journeyman plumbers from agreement states..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Oregon does not have a trade agreement covering California for the selected trade, so this move runs on Oregon's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether Oregon accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check Oregon's NERA status.
What changes, California → Oregon
| California (current) | Oregon (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $650–$800 (Original license application (exam or waiver, one classification) $450 + initial license fee $200 sole owner / $350 non-sole owner. The $25,000 bond premium and Live Scan fingerprint fees are additional.) | $400 (CCB general-contractor license $400 for the two-year term (as of 2025-07-01). BCD electrical/plumbing reciprocal licenses carry separate BCD fees.) |
| Processing time | CSLB does not publish a firm reciprocity processing range. | 4–6 weeks (BCD states 4 to 6 weeks to process out-of-state reciprocity license verification.) |
| Licensing authority | California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); Building Codes Division (BCD) for electrical/plumbing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Oregon sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Oregon's current requirements on the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); Building Codes Division (BCD) for electrical/plumbing website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); Building Codes Division (BCD) for electrical/plumbing (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Designate a Responsible Managing Individual (RMI) who passes the Oregon exam.
- Carry the surety bond and general liability insurance required for the license endorsement type.
- For electrical/plumbing reciprocity, hold the qualifying out-of-state license and meet the apprenticeship/experience equivalency.
- Pay the fees ($400 (CCB general-contractor license $400 for the two-year term (as of 2025-07-01). BCD electrical/plumbing reciprocal licenses carry separate BCD fees.)) and allow 4–6 weeks (BCD states 4 to 6 weeks to process out-of-state reciprocity license verification.).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Oregon accept a California contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from California to Oregon by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); Building Codes Division (BCD) for electrical/plumbing, verify your California license, and meet Oregon's endorsement requirements. Commercial general building contractors may submit a passing NASCLA Accredited Examination transcript in lieu of the 16-hour pre-license training but must still pass the Oregon law/business exam. The Building Codes Division waives the trade exam for reciprocal journeyman/supervising electricians and journeyman plumbers from agreement states..
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Oregon's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the California-to-Oregon move cost and how long does it take?
$400 (CCB general-contractor license $400 for the two-year term (as of 2025-07-01). BCD electrical/plumbing reciprocal licenses carry separate BCD fees.); processing 4–6 weeks (BCD states 4 to 6 weeks to process out-of-state reciprocity license verification.).
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether Oregon is one on the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB); Building Codes Division (BCD) for electrical/plumbing site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Oregon CCB — Get your CCB license (requirements, NASCLA, $400 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Oregon BCD — Reciprocal licenses (electrical/plumbing state lists) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California CSLB — Reciprocity (program states: Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California CSLB — Reciprocal Classifications List (AZ full incl. C-10/C-36/C-20; NV incl. C-20; LA/MS/NC = B only) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California CSLB — Reciprocity Requirements (active license in good standing for the previous 5 years; NASCLA 'B' waiver) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California CSLB — List of All Fees ($450 application; $200 sole / $350 non-sole initial license) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]