Commercial General Contractor Level 1 ($80,000) Bond - Statewide in Oregon

Brief Summary

The Commercial General Contractor Level 1 endorsement is Oregon's top commercial license, and the CCB will not issue or renew it without an $80,000 bond on its own Commercial Surety Bond form. A surety bond meets that requirement for a premium, stays continuously in force, and can be increased by rider if the amount changes again.

Oregon requires every Commercial General Contractor Level 1 to file an $80,000 surety bond with the Construction Contractors Board under ORS 701.068 and 701.084. The amount rose from $75,000 on January 1, 2024. It is fixed by endorsement, not by project size. The same endorsement also requires $2 million of general liability insurance, a responsible managing individual, and key employees with at least eight years of combined experience.

We can help with all Oregon bonds!

How to Apply for a Commercial General Contractor Level 1 ($80,000) Bond:

• Confirm Level 1 is the right endorsement: $2 million insurance and key employees with eight years of combined experience.
• Have the business name exactly as it will appear on the CCB license.
• Complete the bond application and review the quoted premium.
• Have the surety execute the CCB Commercial Surety Bond form for $80,000.
• File the bond with the CCB within 60 days of the date shown on it.
• File a separate residential bond if the business also holds a residential endorsement.

Detailed Information About the Oregon Commercial General Contractor Level 1 ($80,000) Bond:

The two things most people get wrong

The bond is set by your license endorsement, not by the size of the jobs you bid. A Commercial General Contractor Level 1 files an $80,000 bond whether its projects are large or small.

The amount also changed. The CCB raised every endorsement's bond by $5,000 effective January 1, 2024, which moved Level 1 from $75,000 to $80,000. Some older references still show the old figures. An existing bond can be brought up to date with an individual increase rider filed with the CCB.

What Level 1 requires under ORS 701.084(1)

• A surety bond under ORS 701.068 of $80,000
• General liability insurance of not less than $2 million
• A responsible managing individual who meets ORS 701.091
• One or more key employees with a combined total of at least eight years of experience

Full bond schedule

Commercial endorsements under ORS 701.084:

• Commercial General Contractor Level 1: $80,000
• Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1: $55,000
• Commercial General Contractor Level 2: $25,000
• Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 2: $25,000
• Commercial Developer: $25,000

Residential endorsements under ORS 701.081:

• Residential General Contractor: $25,000
• Residential Specialty Contractor: $20,000
• Residential Limited Contractor: $15,000
• Residential Developer: $25,000
• Residential Locksmith Services, Home Inspector Services, Home Services, Home Energy Performance Score and Residential Restoration Contractors: $15,000 each

A contractor holding both a residential and a commercial endorsement files a separate bond for each, under ORS 701.068(2).

When the CCB can require more

ORS 701.068(6) and OAR 812-005-0210 allow the board to require up to five times the normal bond for contractors with unpaid final orders, five or more complaints from separate complainants in a year, or unpaid construction debt above the bond amount. The multiple is two, three or five times depending on how far the unpaid amounts exceed the current bond.

The bond form and filing

The CCB's Commercial Surety Bond form (Rev 08/2023) runs to the State of Oregon and the Construction Contractors Board. It takes effect when the contractor meets all licensing or renewal requirements and stays continuously in force until depleted by claims, unless the surety cancels on 30 days' written notice to the contractor and the CCB. The surety sends the bond and power of attorney to the applicant, not to the CCB, and the bond must be filed with the CCB within 60 days of its date.

The bond pays only amounts the board determines the surety owes, under ORS 701.068(7). The surety's total liability never exceeds the $80,000 penal sum, however long the bond stays in force.

License term

A CCB license is valid for two years from issuance under ORS 701.063. A contractor on inactive status is not subject to the bond requirement, but an inactive license cannot be used to bid, pull permits or perform construction work.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Oregon Commercial General Contractor Level 1 ($80,000) Bond:

• Bond amount of $80,000 for Commercial General Contractor Level 1.
• A corporate surety authorized to do business in Oregon.
• The CCB Commercial Surety Bond form running to the State of Oregon and the Construction Contractors Board.
• General liability insurance of not less than $2 million.
• A responsible managing individual and key employees with eight years of combined experience.
• Continuous coverage, with 30 days' written notice to the contractor and CCB before cancellation.

Oregon Commercial General Contractor Level 1 ($80,000) Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the Oregon Commercial General Contractor Level 1 ($80,000) Bond: