What is a CCB Number?

What does CCB stand for?

CCB stands for Construction Contractors Board - the Oregon state agency responsible for licensing and regulating contractors who work on residential and commercial construction projects. Every licensed contractor in Oregon receives a unique CCB number that serves as their official license identifier.

What is a CCB number?

A CCB number is a unique numeric identifier assigned to each licensed Oregon contractor by the Construction Contractors Board. It is typically 4 to 6 digits long and appears as "CCB #XXXXXX" on contractor estimates, contracts, invoices, and advertising materials.

The CCB number is tied to the contractor's license record, which includes their license type, expiration date, surety bond information, and liability insurance coverage. When you enter a CCB number into OR CCB, you see all of this information instantly.

Who is required to have a CCB license?

Under Oregon law, any person or business that is paid to build, repair, remodel, or improve a residential or commercial structure must hold a valid CCB license. This includes general contractors, specialty contractors (electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters), home inspectors, and locksmiths.

There are limited exemptions - for example, a property owner doing their own work, or labor-only workers under direct supervision. But any contractor you pay to perform construction work on your property must be CCB licensed.

What does the CCB license confirm?

A valid CCB license confirms three things:

• License status - the contractor is registered with the Oregon CCB and authorized to perform the type of work covered by their license.
• Surety bond - the contractor carries a surety bond that protects you financially if they abandon the project or violate Oregon CCB regulations.
• Liability insurance - the contractor carries liability insurance that covers property damage or injuries occurring during the project.

A license can show as "Active" even if the bond or insurance has expired - which is why OR CCB checks all three separately, not just the license status.

What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor?

Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Oregon carries significant risks. If something goes wrong - the work is defective, the contractor abandons the project, or someone is injured - you may have no legal recourse through the Oregon CCB. The CCB's dispute resolution and bond recovery processes only apply to licensed contractors. You would need to pursue civil legal action at your own expense.

Oregon law also prohibits unlicensed contractors from filing a lien on your property, which means a licensed contractor who hires unlicensed subcontractors may expose you to additional complications.

HB 4089 (2026) - the legal weight behind the CCB number

In 2026, Oregon elevated the penalty for CCB number misuse. Under HB 4089, intentionally using another contractor's CCB number without authorization - or using any CCB number with intent to deceive the public - is now a Class C felony, upgraded from a Class A misdemeanor.

This makes the CCB number on your contract legally significant. When a contractor provides a CCB number, they are making a verifiable claim. If the number is used to deceive you, that is now criminal fraud under Oregon law, not just a licensing violation. Verifying it before you sign takes 30 seconds.

How do I verify a CCB license?

Enter the CCB number on the OR CCB home page to instantly check the license status, bond expiration, and insurance coverage. For complete contractor profiles including Trust Score, Google Business verification, and trade license data, visit CCB Lookup.