All states · Oregon
Licensing in Oregon
In Oregon, beauty and barbers are certified by the Health Licensing Office (Board of Cosmetology), massage therapists by the Board of Massage Therapists, nurses by the State Board of Nursing, and any paid construction work by the Construction Contractors Board.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| Certificate | Training | Exam | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Design | 1,110 hours | Field exam + laws | Every 2 years |
| Barbering | 746 hours | Field exam + laws | Every 2 years |
| Esthetics | 444 hours | Field exam + laws | Every 2 years |
| Nail Technology | 241 hours | Field exam + laws | Every 2 years |
- Oregon issues one Cosmetology certificate with separate fields of practice. Each field adds 20 hours of Oregon laws and 20 hours of career development.
- To work, you also need a facility license, freelance authorization or independent contractor registration.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 625 hours | MBLEx or other national + Oregon law exam | Every 2 years, by birth year |
- Licenses are issued by the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. A fingerprint background check and current BLS certification are required.
- Renew before the first day of your birth month: those born in odd years renew in odd years, even in even years. CE hours are required under board rules.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Oregon State Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Oregon State Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nursing AssistantCNA | Oregon State Board of Nursing | State exam |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- Oregon is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact: you need an Oregon license to work. CNA certification renews every 2 years.
| License | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| CCB License | Construction Contractors Board | 16 training hours + exam |
| Residential / Commercial Endorsement | Construction Contractors Board | Bond and insurance by type |
| Electrician, Plumber | Building Codes Division | State licenses, CE at renewal |
- A CCB license is required for anyone paid to do construction work on real property. It renews every 2 years with CE hours.
- Residential General requires a $25,000 bond and $500,000 liability insurance.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | Health Licensing Office | Facility license |
| LLC | Oregon Secretary of State | Registration — file Articles of Organization, annual report |
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
Learn about the program- Tests in the real exam format
- An explanation for every answer
- Study materials in your personal account
- Study in Russian and English
Oregon specifics
- One certificate, several fields. Hair Design, Barbering, Esthetics and Nail Technology are fields of one Cosmetology certificate.
- A certificate is not enough. You also need a facility license, freelance authorization or contractor registration.
- Massage — 625 hours. Plus a national exam and an Oregon law exam.
- Not in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Nurses from other states need an Oregon license.
- A license for any construction. Paid work on real property requires a CCB license.
- Training for contractors. A 16-hour course and an exam before the CCB license.
What professionals earn in Oregon
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a hair designer need?
1,110 Hair Design hours plus 20 hours of laws and 20 of career development, then the exams.
How many hours does a barber need?
746 Barbering hours plus 40 hours of common subjects.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Oregon?
No. Oregon is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you need an Oregon license.
Do I need a license for small repairs?
Yes, a CCB license is required for any paid construction work on real property.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: Oregon Health Licensing Office, Oregon Board of Massage Therapists, Oregon State Board of Nursing, Oregon Construction Contractors Board, Oregon Building Codes Division, Oregon Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.