Do you need a license to work as a handyman in Gresham, OR?

In OR, handyman jobs under $1,000 (labor and materials combined) generally do not require a state contractor license. Jobs at or above $1,000 require a licensed contractor. Always confirm the current rules with your local city and county before bidding work.

What is the handyman license threshold in Gresham, OR?

The contractor license threshold in OR is $1,000. Handyman work priced below this amount (labor plus materials) generally does not require a contractor license.

Does Gresham require a business license for handymen?

Yes. Gresham requires a local business license to operate as a handyman, in addition to any state contractor licensing rules.

Handyman License Requirements in Gresham, OR

By Ray Duke, Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Last reviewed July 2026

Gresham, Oregon requires contractors to obtain a CCB (Construction Contractors Board) license from the state, a city business license from Gresham, and comply with trade-specific licensing for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work. Oregon has a narrow $1,000 per-project casual work exemption, but it does NOT apply to anyone who advertises or holds themselves out as a contractor—meaning most handymen operating a business must be licensed. The state does not require a general business license, but Gresham and Multnomah County have their own requirements.

The contractor license threshold in OR is $1,000. Jobs at or above this amount (labor + materials) require a state contractor license. Operating above this threshold without a license is a legal violation.

⚠️ What Requires a Contractor License

The following work requires a state-issued contractor license in OR. Performing this work without a license exposes you to fines, stop-work orders, and civil liability:

Any electrical work beyond simple fixture replacement (wiring, panel work, circuit installation, outlet installation) - requires BCD Electrical License
Any plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacement (new supply lines, drain modifications, water heater installation, pipe work) - requires CCB Plumbing Business License and BCD Plumbing License
HVAC system installation, repair, or maintenance - requires CCB HVAC endorsement and BCD Limited Energy Technician certification
Structural modifications or repairs (framing, load-bearing wall work, foundation work)
Roofing work (installation, repair, or replacement)
Window or door replacement affecting structural integrity or weatherproofing
Any construction work on a second or subsequent project (the $1,000 exemption applies only to one project)
Any work if you advertise your services as a contractor (even if under $1,000)
Boiler or elevator work - requires BCD Boiler or Elevator License
Gas line installation or repair - requires BCD Gas Piping License

State Contractor Licensing Law (OR)

CRITICAL LIMITATION: This exemption does NOT apply if the person advertises or holds themselves out as a contractor in any way (signs, cards, online presence, business cards, etc.). The exemption is extremely narrow and applies only to one-off casual repairs, not to anyone running a handyman business. Even if work is under $1,000, if you advertise your services, you must be licensed. Additionally, this exemption does not cover electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or other trade-specific work, which requires separate trade licensing regardless of price.

County Requirements — Multnomah County

Business license: Not required at the county level.

City Business License — Gresham

Required. City of Gresham Business License (Commercial Business License, Home-Based Business License Type I or II, or Independent Contractor License)

Permit vs. Contractor License — The Legal Difference

A LICENSE is permission from the state or city to operate a business or perform a trade (e.g., CCB contractor license, BCD electrical license). A PERMIT is permission from the city or county to perform a specific project or activity (e.g., building permit, electrical permit, plumbing permit). You can have a valid license but still need permits for specific work. Even if you are exempt from licensing (under the $1,000 casual work exemption), you may still need permits for certain work. Permits are typically required when work affects structural integrity, safety systems, or property value. Failure to obtain required permits can result in fines, forced removal of work, and liability issues.

Business Entity Registration (OR)

To operate legally you must register your business. LLC filing fee in OR: $100 (one-time).

Compliance Notes for Gresham, Oregon (Multnomah County)

Insurance Requirements: A Residential General Contractor (RGC) must carry $500,000 per occurrence in general liability insurance. A Residential Specialty Contractor must carry $300,000 per occurrence. A Residential Limited Contractor must carry $100,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation insurance is required if you have employees; sole proprietors with no employees are exempt unless applying for a commercial endorsement.
CCB License Number in Advertising: Oregon law (HB 4089, 2026) requires your CCB license number to appear in all advertising, bids, and written contracts. Unauthorized use of a CCB license number is now a Class C felony.
Responsible Managing Individual (RMI): Your business must designate one RMI who has completed the 16-hour pre-license training and passed the CCB exam. This person is responsible for the business's compliance with contractor laws.
Trade-Specific Licensing: Do not assume a CCB license covers all work. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, boiler, elevator, and gas piping work each require separate BCD trade licenses. A handyman without these endorsements cannot legally perform this work.
Advertising Restriction: The $1,000 casual work exemption is void if you advertise or hold yourself out as a contractor in any way. If you have a website, business cards, signs, or any public indication that you perform contracting work, you must be licensed.
2027 Legislative Changes: Amendments to ORS 701.035 (section 19, chapter 78, Oregon Laws 2025) become operative July 1, 2027, and will change contractor classification and licensing structure. Verify requirements again before that date.
Metro Regional License Option: Contractors can obtain a single Metro regional license to satisfy licensing requirements in 20 cities in the Portland metropolitan area, including Gresham. This may be more convenient than obtaining individual city licenses. Contact Metro at https://www.oregonmetro.gov/ for details.
Common Compliance Mistakes: (1) Operating without a CCB license when advertising; (2) Performing electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work without trade-specific licenses; (3) Failing to include CCB license number in advertising; (4) Not obtaining required permits for work; (5) Misrepresenting the $1,000 exemption as applying to ongoing business operations.

Legal Registration Steps for Gresham

Follow these steps to operate legally as a handyman in Gresham, Oregon (Multnomah County):

Step 1: Determine your business structure. Form an LLC with the Oregon Secretary of State ($100 filing fee) or operate as a sole proprietorship. If forming an LLC, file Articles of Organization at https://sos.oregon.gov/business/pages/index.aspx.
Step 2: Obtain a Federal EIN from the IRS (free) at https://www.irs.gov/ein and register with the Oregon Department of Revenue for a Business Identification Number (BIN) at https://www.oregon.gov/revenue/.
Step 3: Complete the 16-hour CCB pre-license training course and pass the exam ($60 fee). Designate your Responsible Managing Individual (RMI). Find approved training providers at https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/pages/ccb%20license.aspx.
Step 4: Apply for your CCB license ($400 application fee). Submit proof of surety bond (amount depends on license type: $10,000-$20,000). Apply at https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/pages/ccb%20license.aspx.
Step 5: Obtain a City of Gresham business license. Contact the Business Licensing Section at (503) 618-2370 or apply online at https://www.greshamoregon.gov/business-services/business-licenses/. Verify the current fee amount.
Step 6: Register with the Portland Revenue Division for Multnomah County Business Income Tax at https://www.portland.gov/revenue/business-tax (even if you are exempt due to gross receipts under $100,000, you must register and file a return).
Step 7: Obtain general liability insurance. Minimum coverage: $500,000 per occurrence for RGC, $300,000 for RSC, $100,000 for RLC.
Step 8: If performing electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or other trade-specific work, apply for the appropriate BCD trade license at https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/licensing/pages/contractor-licenses.aspx.
Step 9: Ensure your CCB license number appears in all advertising, bids, and written contracts.
Step 10: Before starting any project, verify whether a city or county permit is required. Contact the City of Gresham Planning & Development Services at (503) 618-2550.

Work You Can Do Without a Contractor License

Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
Interior painting and staining (non-lead-based, residential)
Basic carpentry repairs (non-structural, such as replacing trim, baseboards, or cabinet hardware)
Caulking and weatherstripping
Replacing light fixtures (fixture changes only, not wiring or panel work)

See all 9 tasks →

Licensing rules and fees change over time, so this information may be out of date. Verify all information with local authorities before making business decisions.