Oregon Contractor's License Vocab: Chapter 1

Oregon Contractor's License Vocabulary

CCB: Abbreviation for Oregon Construction Contractors Board; licenses all individuals and businesses performing construction activities.
CCB Membership: Comprises nine members responsible for overseeing the administrator, policy setting, legislative implementation, and appeal reviews.
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS): Primarily govern construction contracting, with significant content found in ORS Chapter 701, subject to annual revisions.
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR): Located in OAR Chapter 812; these rules may change more frequently than once a year.
Contractor Definition: Refers to individuals or businesses that undertake construction-related tasks for compensation, covering various project types including residential and commercial.
Responsible Managing Individual (RMI): Every contractor must record at least one RMI, who holds management responsibility, undergoes training, and can't be licensed while the company has unresolved debts.
Independent Contractors: Licensed contractors must operate as independent contractors, managing their work activities and execution.
License Endorsement: Required for contractors, with specifications for residential and commercial projects. Contractors working on both types must obtain endorsements for each.
Types of Structures:
- Residential Structure: Includes site-built homes, four-story or less buildings, and various types of residential units.
- Small Commercial Structure: Nonresidential structures up to 20 feet tall and 10,000 SqFt, or contracting under $250,000.
- Large Commercial Structure: Any nonresidential structure that exceeds the small commercial definition.
Residential Endorsements: Varied types include Residential General Contractor, Specialty Contractor, Limited Contractor, and others addressing specific services.
Commercial Endorsements: Differentiated between Level 1 and Level 2, covering general contractors, specialty contractors, and developers.
General Contractor: Can perform and subcontract unlimited unrelated construction trades on jobsites, applicable to both residential and commercial sectors.
Specialty Contractor: Restricted to no more than two unrelated construction trades on a jobsite.
Residential Limited Contractor: Endorsement for contractors working on specified small-scale projects, with financial limits on contract values.
Developer Endorsement: For property owners arranging construction improvements with licensed general contractors, not directly involved in construction activities.
Experience Requirements:
- Level 1: Requires eight years of construction experience among key employees.
- Level 2: Requires four years of construction experience among key employees.
- Apprenticeship/Bachelor's degree: Counts for three years; business-related degrees count for two years; associate degrees for one year.
Special Endorsements: Allow limited construction activities without extensive licensing requirements; includes Residential Locksmith, Home Inspector, Home Services, and Home Energy Performance Services.
Bond & Insurance for Special Endorsements: Each endorsement requires a bond of $10,000 and insurance coverage of $100,000 per occurrence.
Specialty Contractor Specifics:
- Residential Locksmith Services Contractor: Must employ a certified locksmith.
- Home Inspector Services Contractor: Must employ a certified home inspector.
- Home Services Contractor: Arranges repairs within home warranty agreements.
- Home Energy Performance Services Contractor: Must have a certified home energy assessor on staff.
Special Entity Licenses: Additional licenses such as LBPR (Lead-Based Paint Renovation), Lead-Based Paint Activities License, and Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Technology Certification may be added to standard licenses.
LBPR License: Required for renovating pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, valid for one year with annual renewals.
Lead-Based Paint Activities License: Necessary for lead abatement and inspection contractors, also requiring annual renewal.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology Certification: Allows participation in local energy projects; qualifications include employing certified individuals in relevant programs and requires yearly renewal.