Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Portland, OR

Complete permit and license guide for starting a electrical contractor in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.

Verified 2026-08-28 6 stops $1,000–$3,000 est. 6–10 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Oregon

3 stops

  1. Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) Registration

    Electrical contracting businesses in Oregon must hold a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license in addition to state electrical licensing. CCB licensure requires a surety bond and general liability insurance in amounts set by the license endorsement (for example, residential specialty contractor: $20,000 bond and $300,000 per-occurrence insurance; residential general: $25,000 bond and $500,000 insurance), plus registration with the Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division.

    Official government source

    $400 (two-year CCB license, fee effective July 1, 2025) + surety bond and liability insurance premiums2–4 weeks

  2. Oregon Electrical Contractor License (Building Codes Division)

    In addition to CCB licensure, electrical contracting businesses must hold an Electrical Contractor (C) license from the Oregon Building Codes Division (DCBS). The business must designate a signing supervisor who holds an Oregon supervising electrician license, and electrical work must be performed by appropriately licensed electricians.

    Official government source

    $375 per license cycle (BCD licenses run on fixed multi-year cycles)2–4 weeks

  3. Oregon Business Entity Registration (if applicable)

    LLCs and corporations must register with the Oregon Secretary of State.

    Official government source

    $100 (LLC filing fee)1–3 business days

City of Portland / Multnomah County

2 stops

  1. City of Portland — Business License Tax Registration

    All businesses operating in Portland must register with the City of Portland Revenue Division and obtain a Business License Tax registration. Electrical contractors must register and pay the annual Business License Tax based on net income.

    Official government source

    $100 minimum annual tax1–5 days (online registration)

  2. City of Portland Bureau of Development Services — Contractor Registration

    Electrical contractors must have their Oregon state CCB registration and electrical contractor license verified with Portland BDS before pulling permits. No separate city electrical exam is required.

    Official government source

    No additional fee1–3 days

Terminus

Open for business — est. $1,000–$3,000 · 6–10 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits

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