How to read an Oregon CCB license lookup
Homeowners, general contractors and lenders check contractors on the CCB license search. Use it two ways: look at your own record the way a customer sees it, and check every subcontractor before they start on your job.
How to search
- By CCB license number is the most accurate way, according to the search page. Contractors must show this number on their advertising and business cards.
- By name: enter all or part of the business name or the contractor's last name. The CCB says sometimes less is better, and if you cannot find someone by name, do not assume they are unlicensed; spelling and punctuation ("S&F" vs "S and F") trip up the search.
- By phone: business phone numbers can be searched in some cases, digits only.
- Choose All Records or Active Records Only. The search page says license records are updated every 6 hours.
The summary page
The first result page shows the license number, status and the date first licensed, then four history sections, each covering the past 10 years:
| Section | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Unpaid debt | Unpaid claims (debt owed to a homeowner, supplier or subcontractor in response to a CCB complaint) and unpaid CCB civil penalties |
| Complaint history | Whether any complaints (claims) were filed against the contractor |
| Disciplinary history | Any civil penalties or other sanctions, such as license suspensions |
| Administrative suspensions | Whether the CCB ever suspended the contractor for lack of bond or insurance |
The business detail page
Click "Learn more about this business" for the full record. It lists the licensee name and address, license status, first-licensed and expiration dates, entity type, phone, endorsement type, workers' compensation / independent contractor status (exempt or non-exempt), whether the business holds a Certified Lead-Based Paint Renovation (LBPR) contractor license, workers' comp insurance details, liability insurance (company, amount, expiration), surety bond (residential and commercial, company, amount, expiration), associated individuals such as the RMI and owners, and assumed business names.
What to check, field by field
| Field | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Status | Active. The CCB's guide for real estate agents says a contractor with an inactive license cannot bid on or perform work on a home. |
| Name | The name on the bid or contract matches the license record. |
| Endorsement | Fits the work. The same CCB guide says residential endorsements are required for residential projects, and without the proper endorsement the homeowner has no access to CCB mediation or the bond. See the license type finder. |
| Expiration date | Not about to lapse mid-job. For your own license, see the renewal checklist. |
| Bond and liability insurance | On file, not expired, and at least the minimum for the endorsement. Compare with our bond and insurance table. |
| Workers' comp status | Per the CCB guide, only a non-exempt contractor can have employees; exempt contractors may not have employees because they do not carry workers' comp. A sub listed as exempt who shows up with a crew deserves a question. |
| LBPR license | The record notes this license is required to bid and work on pre-1978 residential structures. |
| History sections | A "Yes" is not automatically a deal-breaker, but ask about it, and treat unpaid claims seriously. |
Licenses the CCB record does not cover
The search page points to other agencies for: electrical and plumbing licenses (Building Codes Division), landscape businesses (Landscape Contractor Board), employers' workers' comp coverage (DCBS) and licensed asbestos abatement contractors (DEQ list).
Keep your own record clean
- The CCB requires your license number (for example "CCB #123456") on business cards, written bids, contracts, advertising including websites, letterhead, job-site signs and signed vehicles. See CCB contractor tools.
- Keep bond and insurance current so you never show an administrative suspension. Plan renewals ahead with the renewal checklist.
- The CCB offers eWatch to monitor license status for you and your subcontractors; details are on the contractor tools page.
- Questions about a record: CCB customer service, (503) 378-4621.
25 fill-in SOP templates (PDF + editable .docx), including Vendor Onboarding. Add a CCB license, bond and insurance check to it so every new sub gets vetted the same way.
See it on Gumroad Our own product. We may earn from sales.Sources: CCB license search (search page and a public license record), CCB contractor tools and the CCB Realtors guide to working with contractors, checked Oct 17, 2026.