Oregon Electrician License: How to Become a Certified Electrician in OR

Do you need an electrician’s license in Oregon?

Yes, in the state of Oregon, it is required by law that all electricians be licensed. There are many different types of specialty and limited electrician licenses, all varying in the training and experience you need to get one.

There are two types of licensing authorities:

1. Individual (non-contracting) electrician licenses, like general journeyman, supervising, or limited specialty licenses, are issued by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD).
2. Contracting (business) electrician licenses are managed and issued by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. You’ll need this type of license to legally run an electrical contracting business.

Types of electrician licenses in Oregon

There are 12 types of electrician licenses in Oregon for individuals. These licenses are either general, which allows you to perform a wider range of electrical work, or limited, which narrows your focus to specific areas of the job. 

Oregon electrician license requirements

To get any one of the electrician licenses in Oregon, you need to complete certain levels of training and gain hours of work experience before you are eligible for certification.

Each license comes with its own unique requirements, as the details of your responsibilities and the services you can provide differ depending on the license class. However, all electrical licenses in Oregon require you to submit an application and take a licensing exam.

How to get an Oregon electrician license

While different licenses have different requirements to become an electrician in Oregon, the pathway is similar. Here are the steps to take to get an electrician license in Oregon.

How much does it cost to get an electrician’s license in Oregon

The main cost associated with getting your electrician license in Oregon is the licensing fee once you’ve passed the exam and submitted your application. Licensing fees vary from class to class and are between $50-$100

General Licenses

• General Supervising Electrician (S): $100
• General Journeyman Electrician (J): $100

Limited Licenses

• Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME): $100
• Limited Residential Electrician (LR): $100
• Limited Supervising Electrician (PS): $100
• Limited Journeyman Manufacturing Plant (PJ): $100
• Limited Journeyman Sign Electrician (SIG): $50
• Limited Journeyman Stage Electrician (ST): $50
• Limited Energy Technician Class A (LEA): $50
• Limited Energy Technician Class B (LEB): $50
• Limited Building Maintenance Electrician (BME): $50
• Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT): $50

There may also be additional education costs if you decide to train through an accredited college program. Tuition costs can range from $4,000 to $15,000. Other costs may include tools and safety gear ($500-$1,000), and books and other education materials ($200-$500).

Oregon electrician license exam

Exams are mandatory for all electrician licenses, and you need a score of at least 75% to pass and qualify for licensure. 

The BCD sends all approved applicants an authorization letter and exam instructions. You can take the exam in many locations across the state. Once completed, you’ll get your results within 2 weeks.

The state also provides a handful of approved study materials. As every exam is open book, you’re allowed to refer to the following guides as you work your way through the test.

• National Electrical Code/NFPA-70 and errata with Oregon amendments
• National Electrical Code Handbook
• Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 479
• Oregon Administrative Rules division 918
• American Electrician’s Handbook
• Electrical Black Book
• Ugly’s Electrical – References
• Ferm’s Fast Finder Index
• Tom Henry’s Key Word Index
• A silent, non-printing, non-programmable calculator

What happens if my license expires?

If your Oregon electrician license expires, you should stop all work immediately. You can check the status of your license on the BCD’s license holder search tool.

All electrician licenses are valid for 3 years. To renew your license, you need to earn between 4 and 24 continuing education credits, depending on your current license class.

The state of Oregon has a strict enforcement policy for those operating without a license or violating the conditions of their license. These penalties include:

• 1st offence: $1,000-$4,000 fine
• 2nd offence: $2,000-$4,500 fine
• 3rd offence: $3,000-$5,000 fine

All violations come with a risk of license suspension and revocation.

Does my Oregon electrician license work in any other states?

Many states will recognize your training and experience from another state to fast-track your path to licensing. For electricians, Oregon has reciprocal agreements with a collection of states for general journeyman electrician and general supervising electrician license classes.

Electricians from Arkansas, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming can qualify for the general journeyman license and exam by providing proof of training and work experience. 

The requirements for a reciprocal journeyman license include: 

• The completion of a 4-year apprentice program with a minimum of 576 in-class hours 
• A minimum of 4 years or 8,000 hours of work experience under the supervision of a licensed journeyman electrician.

Electricians from Arkansas and Utah can also qualify for the general supervising electrician license and exam with the same proof of training and experience.

How to start an electrician business

If your eventual goal is to start an electrician business in Oregon, there are a few things to consider beyond an individual electrician license. First and foremost, all electrical business owners need to be licensed contractors to provide electrical services and hire other licensed electricians. You can learn more about this from the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).

Next, you need to land on a business structure—sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or LLC—and register with the proper state and local offices. 

You’ll also need to secure a surety bond, general liability and workers’ compensation insurance to cover the electrical work you’re doing on residential and commercial properties, and any permits based on your service area. Check with your local municipal office to ensure you’re complying with all the regulations and standards to run an electrical business.

Once all the administrative duties are taken care of, you’re ready to purchase tools and equipment, build your team, price your services, and start looking for customers.

Does getting an electrician’s license increase your earning potential?

Yes, getting an electrician license in Oregon gives you the opportunity to establish yourself in the industry, gain more experience, and yes, make more money. Oregon is one of the higher-paying states for electricians across the country, with the average annual salary coming in at $85,330 per year. 

As you continue to grow in your career, you may decide to upgrade your license or even start your own electrical business. Business owners can make up to $150,000 a year, so there is money to be made as you continue to evolve through your electrician licenses and career.

For more information on electrician salaries across the country, check out our Essential Electrician Salary Guide. We’ll help you understand your potential earnings with a deeper look at salary breakdowns by state and their averages, as well as national wages.