Thinking about getting your Oregon HVAC license? This guide covers the necessary licensing requirements for both contractors and technicians, including Oregon’s EPA Section 608 certification and insurance obligations. We’ll help you understand the steps to get your HVAC license and start your career in the Beaver State.
Jump ahead to learn more about:
To operate in Oregon as an HVAC contractor, you must get a license. These come in two varieties:
Both licenses will allow you to operate under your own license to assess and satisfy your customer’s HVAC needs, assuming you have acquired the necessary HVAC technical knowledge.
Oregon requires all people working in construction, building or improving real property to acquire a license with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). HVAC is one of the fields that require such licensing.
Getting a CCB license is complex and can take up to eight weeks to finish. Here’s a high-level overview of the process:
Visit the Oregon CCB website for full instructions.
A limited maintenance specialty contractor HVAC-R can install, maintain and replace commercial and industrial electrical equipment that processes fuel or other types of energy to generate power, heating or cooling.
This license does not require HVAC professionals to pass an exam. Instead, they must apply for the credential through the Building Codes Division (BCD). The license costs $75 and must be renewed after three years. HVAC professionals working under this license may only do work within their signing supervisors’ license restrictions.
Important: The limited maintenance specialty contractor (HVAC/R) credential allows licensees to perform work that falls within an approved scope of work. The BCD website has further details.
Here’s more information on earning an Oregon HVAC license:
If you plan to work as an HVAC contractor, you must not only register with the state but also meet Oregon’s business insurance requirements.
If you plan to hire employees (even part-time), you must also purchase worker’s compensation insurance. This policy can help protect you and your employers in the event of a work-related injury or illness.
The general rule for worker’s compensation insurance is that all Oregon HVAC licensed contractors must have worker’s compensation coverage. Exempt employers — i.e., those without employees — don’t need coverage. Non-exempt contractors, defined as businesses that hire or lease workers, must show evidence of having purchased protection.
However, in some cases, family-owned HVAC businesses are exempt from fulfilling worker’s compensation requirements. These cases include:
If your Oregon HVAC contracting firm is not exempt from the state’s worker’s compensation requirements, you must supply the following data when submitting your license application:
Refer to the CCB website for further details about workers’ compensation requirements.
Learn more about workers’ compensation for contractors.
As an HVAC contractor, you must have general liability insurance to mitigate your third-party property damage and bodily injury financial risks. This coverage can help cover costs related to common risks that many businesses face, such as:
Oregon requires more or less general liability coverage depending on your specific HVAC contractor license. Check with the Construction Contractors Board for required coverage limits for various licenses.
Learn more about general liability insurance for contractors.
Commerical property coverage helps cover damage to your company-owned building, equipment or inventory.
A business owner’s policy, or BOP insurance, provides broad coverage of general liability and commercial property policies combined in a single, cost-efficient bundle. It can help cover damage that you or your employees may accidentally cause to another person’s property and help protect your business equipment in the event of a fire or other covered event.
Tools and equipment insurance can help reimburse you for lost or damaged equipment. Insuring your equipment means your return to full productivity should be faster than if you were uninsured.
Commercial auto coverage helps cover you for collision or other damage to your business car or truck or for damages or injuries a third party suffered due to your or an employee’s negligence.
If you don’t plan to become an HVAC contractor, you can enter the field as an individual technician. Two license options are available:
Either of these licenses will qualify you to work on HVAC systems that are 100 volt-amperes or less as long as you work under one of the two contractor types discussed in the prior section or for a single employer in an industrial setting.
HVAC technicians don’t need to post a bond or buy general liability insurance. The contractor or employer for whom they work will provide these risk-management resources.
To pursue an HVAC technician career, you must first gain field experience. The state of Oregon requires an apprenticeship or training programs of some kind, either through a trade union or other organization. Visit the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries for a list of approved apprenticeship programs.
Once you complete an official apprenticeship, you will have fulfilled the state’s license experience requirement. Alternatively, you can pursue your own apprenticeship by working for a licensed contractor or employer that maintains its own HVAC systems. If you follow this path, a Class A apprentice must prove a minimum of 6,000 hours of experience and a minimum of 432 hours of classroom training.
Similarly, a Class B application must submit at least 4,000 hours of experience and 288 hours of classroom or related job training.
After you complete a formal or informal HVAC apprenticeship program and prove that you fulfilled the experience requirement, you can apply for your license. This involves submitting an application, selecting a testing site, and paying an application fee (currently $50).
Based on the stated experience requirements, license completion estimates are as follows:
If you only plan to work part-time, getting licensed could take substantially longer.
You must renew your HVAC technician every three years. At renewal time, you must prove that you completed 8 hours of continuing education to keep your knowledge current.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all HVAC technicians who work on refrigeration systems to obtain EPA certification. Oregon HVAC technicians must pass an exam with a minimum score of 70%. The exam fee is $120.
The Oregon Air Conditioning Contractors Association provides several resources to help HVAC technicians and contractors obtain their EPA certification under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
NEXT provides insurance protection to America’s small business owners. We help you determine your operating risks and then provide appropriate insurance coverage at an affordable price so you can serve your HVAC clients. What’s more, we’re 100% committed to working with self-employed HVAC technicians and contractors who’d rather do the work they love than hassle with insurance.
Contact us to discuss your insurance options, receive a quote or to buy a policy. And remember, since our workflow is totally online, you can get a quote, see coverage options, purchase a policy and get your certificate of insurance (proof of coverage) in just a few minutes.
If you have questions, our licensed, U.S.-based insurance professionals can help.
Get an instant NEXT quote today.
Do you want to work as an HVAC contractor in another U.S. state? Learn what states require licenses in our guide to HVAC license requirements.
This information has been provided as a service. It is correct and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge; however, it is in no way intended to offer legal advice and you must always consult with local authorities before you make any business decisions. Regulations and requirements may change at any time.
