In Oregon, licensed contractors must take continuing education courses every two years to maintain their good standing. If you need to update your education, how do you get started?
Construction Contractor Class Requirements
Taking your contractor courses online saves time and energy.
If you have fewer than six years of experience under your tool belt, you’ll need 16 hours of courses for continuing education. For residential contractors with more than six years of experience, the continuing education requirements include eight hours of coursework. Commercial contractors must abide by the rules regarding their business size and endorsement. Some contractors are licensed for both residential and commercial projects in Oregon; these professionals can apply their residential hours toward their commercial requirements.
You can take most of your coursework through third-party providers, but the requirements also include three hours of contractor classes through Oregon’s Construction Contractors Board (CCB). You’ll need to sign into the CCB’s website with your license number to access those classes.
Expired and Lapsed License Holders
Oregon allows you to reinstate your license and take your continuing education courses if your license expired or lapsed fewer than two years ago. However, if you hold a license that is farther out-of-date, you’ll have to reapply for your license and take the original exam again.
Contractors sometimes allow their licenses to lapse because they fail to purchase adequate insurance or because they leave the industry for a brief period of time. Whatever the case, it’s best to retain your license and participate in continued education so you can accept new projects immediately.
Taking Your Continuing Education Classes
The PDH Contractor’s Academy offers convenient contractor courses in a variety of subjects. Each course is approved by the CBC, so your coursework will qualify for your licensing requirements. Simply purchase individual courses or the 13-hour residential package to get started.
The residential package includes three distinct courses at a considerable cost savings. It’s cheaper to purchase a bundle through one source than to take separate courses, whether you’re purchasing them through separate providers or the same one.
Time and Monetary Investment for Construction Courses
In Oregon, the courses required for continuing education range from $45 to $180 each, depending on the subject matter. Purchasing the residential package bundle costs $175, which includes $20 in savings.
The time required to complete your course load will vary depending on your personal speed and the number of breaks you take. Each course should take 50 to 60 minutes, but you could break it up into 15- or 20-minute intervals if you can’t devote yourself to the material for an entire hour.
Completing Your Coursework
You must take the exam at the end of each course and earn a passing grade to receive credit for the course. If you do not receive an adequate score, you can retake the course until you pass it. Should you encounter any difficulty, you can contact our tech support department for help.
Contractor classes are required to maintain your Oregon contractor’s license, but they also help you improve your skills on the job and ensure your knowledge base is up-to-date. If you are ready to complete your requirements, start the course now.