Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Oregon contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in Oregon, below.
What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Oregon?
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board issues both residential and commercial contractor licenses with certain endorsements specifying the particular kind of work that can be performed in each case. There are seven endorsements for residential general contractor licenses and three for commercial.
What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process?
Here is an overview of key steps in the licensing process:
- Determine what type of license and endorsement you will need.
- Complete the pre-license training and pass the required examination.
- Register your business with the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division, and the Oregon Department of Revenue.
- Purchase an Oregon contractor license bond in the amount required for your particular endorsement type. If you have both residential and commercial licenses, you must obtain two separate bonds.
- Obtain proof of proper workers’ compensation and general liability insurance.
- Download and complete the applicable application: residential, commercial, or dual residential and commercial.
- Submit the completed application, all supporting documents, the original surety bond, and payment of the license fee (currently $250) to CCCB (the surety bond’s “obligee”).
Oregon contractor licenses are good for two years.
Why is a Contractor License Bond Required?
When you purchase an Oregon contractor license bond you are guaranteeing to abide by all applicable statutes governing residential and/or commercial contracting within the state. Any failure to do can result in a claim against the bond for the resulting damages. The bond ensures that funds will be available to compensate the injured party.
Your Oregon contractor license bond must be in the amount required for your specific endorsement and, like your contractor’s license, have a term of two years. There must always be a valid contractor license bond in force to maintain a valid license.
How Are Oregon Contractor License Bond Claims Paid?
As the bond’s “principal,” you are legally obligated to pay all claims found by the surety company (the “surety”) to be valid. If you do not pay a valid claim promptly, the surety will pay it on your behalf, but you must then repay that debt to the surety.
How Much Does an Oregon Contractor License Bond Cost?
The annual premium you will pay for an Oregon contractor license bond depends on two variables: the required amount of the bond (established by the obligee) and the premium rate (assigned by the surety on a case-by-case basis). The surety is primarily concerned about the likelihood of claims and the risk that paying claims on your behalf entails.
The surety will look at your industry experience, financial strength, and any prior claims history, but the biggest factor influencing your premium rate is your personal credit score. With good credit, your premium rate should be in the range 1-3% percent of the required bond amount.
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Our surety bond professionals will get you the Oregon contractor license bond you need at a competitive rate.
