Oregon electrical license lookup: how to check and get a license
Oregon electrical license lookup: who issues electrician licenses (BCD), how to check one online, the license types, and 986 electrical contractors by county.
Do electricians need a license in Oregon?
| Who licenses them | Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) / Electrical and Elevator Board; electrical businesses also need a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license |
|---|---|
| License types | Electrical Contractor, General Supervising Electrician, Limited Supervising Electrician, General Journeyman Electrician, Limited Journeyman Electrician, Limited Residential Electrician, Electrical Apprentice |
| When a license is required | License required for electrical work regardless of job size |
Oregon licenses electrical contractors and individual electricians under ORS 479.630, and electrical contractors also need a CCB license. Owners may wire their own home if it is not for sale or rent, but the work still needs a permit and inspection.
How do you look up an electrician's license in Oregon?
- Ask the electrician for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Oregon electrical license lookup run by BCD.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the electrician about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact BCD.
What electrical licenses does Oregon issue?
- Electrical Contractor
- General Supervising Electrician
- Limited Supervising Electrician
- General Journeyman Electrician
- Limited Journeyman Electrician
- Limited Residential Electrician
- Electrical Apprentice
How do you get a electrical license in Oregon?
Licenses are issued by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) / Electrical and Elevator Board; electrical businesses also need a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official BCD source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Oregon city is the job in?
How many electricians are there in Oregon?
The Census Bureau counted 986 electrical contractors with employees in Oregon in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Washington County | 130 |
|---|---|
| Clackamas County | 122 |
| Multnomah County | 106 |
| Lane County | 101 |
| Marion County | 89 |
| Deschutes County | 89 |
| Jackson County | 62 |
| Douglas County | 30 |
What do Oregon homes mean for electrical work?
The median home in Oregon was built in 1980, 37% of households rent and 68% of homes are single-family houses. 37% of homes heat with utility gas and 53% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose an electrician in Oregon?
- Check the license on the state or city license search, and ask whether the person doing the work is licensed or working under someone's license.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit and an inspection, and who files it. A licensed electrician files the permit.
- Ask for proof of insurance. Electrical mistakes show up later, so you want the company insured.
- For panel upgrades, ask whether the utility needs to be scheduled to cut and restore power, and who arranges it.
- Get a written estimate that lists the circuits, fixtures and materials.
Electricians in other states
Sources: Oregon licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.