Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Portland, OR

Complete permit and license guide for starting a plumbing 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
Get my personalized route — $14.99

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

    Plumbing contracting businesses must be licensed by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB), with a surety bond and general liability insurance in amounts set by the license endorsement (residential specialty: $20,000 bond and $300,000 per-occurrence insurance; residential general: $25,000 bond and $500,000 insurance). Plumbing work additionally requires licensure through the Oregon Building Codes Division.

    Official government source

    $400 (two-year CCB license, fee effective July 1, 2025) + bond premium (varies)2–4 weeks

  2. Oregon Plumbing Contractor License (Building Codes Division)

    In addition to CCB licensure, plumbing contracting businesses must hold a Plumbing Business (PB) license from the Oregon Building Codes Division (DCBS). Plumbing work must be performed by Oregon-licensed journeyman plumbers; the business license does not entitle anyone to work without the appropriate individual license.

    Official government source

    $150 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 (online filing)

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. Plumbing contractors must register and pay the annual Business License Tax based on net business income.

    Official government source

    $100 minimum annual tax (based on net income)1–5 days (online registration)

  2. City of Portland — Contractor Registration

    Plumbing contractors must register with the City of Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS) before pulling permits. The Oregon state CCB (Construction Contractors Board) registration number must be verified. No separate city plumbing contractor exam is required.

    Official government source

    No additional fee (state CCB registration covers Portland)1–3 days

Terminus

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

Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides