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How to get a plumber license in Oregon

Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority — sourced from Oregon's official board.

Non-contracting plumbing licenses issued by BCD; contracting (plumbing contractor) licenses issued by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.

Issuing authority: Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD), Department of Consumer and Business Services. Official page: https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/licensing/pages/plumbing-apply.aspx

License levels in Oregon

Oregon plumber licensing at a glance

RequirementsJourneyman: complete a BOLI-registered 4-year plumbing apprenticeship (minimum ~3,850 qualifying OJT hours plus related classroom instruction), high school diploma/GED, employer experience-verification forms for work categories in OAR 918-695, then pass the Oregon Journeyman Plumber exam.
ReciprocityBCD has reciprocal license agreements for the Journeyman Plumber license; out-of-state applicants apply through a separate reciprocity process.
RenewalRenew every 3 years (all licenses expire April 1). Continuing education: 24 hours per cycle (4 hrs code change, 4 hrs Oregon rule and law, 16 hrs code-related). CE must be registered in the system before renewal.
NotesNon-contracting plumbing licenses issued by BCD; contracting (plumbing contractor) licenses issued by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.

Questions

Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Oregon?
Non-contracting plumbing licenses issued by BCD; contracting (plumbing contractor) licenses issued by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
What plumber license levels does Oregon have?
The levels are Apprentice Plumber (registered via BOLI apprenticeship), Journeyman Plumber (JP), Water Heater Installer / other specialty certs, (Plumbing contractors licensed separately by the Construction Contractors Board).
How do you get licensed as a plumber in Oregon?
Journeyman: complete a BOLI-registered 4-year plumbing apprenticeship (minimum ~3,850 qualifying OJT hours plus related classroom instruction), high school diploma/GED, employer experience-verification forms for work categories in OAR 918-695, then pass the Oregon Journeyman Plumber exam.
Does Oregon have plumber license reciprocity?
BCD has reciprocal license agreements for the Journeyman Plumber license; out-of-state applicants apply through a separate reciprocity process.

Related

Supply
How many plumbers in OregonHub
All Oregon trades pages

Sources: www.oregon.gov · www.oregon.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.

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