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Oregon HVAC & Appliance Repair Insurance Requirements (2026)

HVAC Contractors

Residential Specialty Contractor (HVAC endorsement)

Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB), with individual technicians also licensed by the Building Codes Division
General LiabilityRequired

Minimums: $300,000 per occurrence

Residential Specialty Contractors, the endorsement most HVAC businesses doing residential work hold, must carry at least $300,000 per-occurrence commercial general liability insurance.[1]

Surety BondRequired

Minimums: $20,000 surety bond

Residential Specialty Contractors must file a $20,000 surety bond with the CCB.[1]

Workers' CompensationConditional

Minimums: Statutory workers' compensation coverage

Condition: 1+ employees (subject workers)

Any employer with a subject worker (essentially any hired employee) must carry Oregon workers' compensation insurance.[1]

Commercial Specialty Contractor, Level 1 / Level 2 (HVAC endorsement)

Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB), with individual technicians also licensed by the Building Codes Division
General LiabilityRequired

Minimums: Level 1: $1,000,000 aggregate; Level 2: $500,000 per occurrence

Commercial Specialty Contractors must carry $1,000,000 aggregate general liability (Level 1, no project cap) or $500,000 per occurrence (Level 2, projects capped at $250,000).[1]

Surety BondRequired

Minimums: Level 1: $55,000 bond; Level 2: $25,000 bond

Commercial Specialty Contractors must file a $55,000 (Level 1) or $25,000 (Level 2) surety bond with the CCB.[1]

Workers' CompensationConditional

Minimums: Statutory workers' compensation coverage

Condition: 1+ employees (subject workers)

Any employer with a subject worker (essentially any hired employee) must carry Oregon workers' compensation insurance.[1]

Appliance Repair

Oregon does not license general appliance repair at the state level. No state license or insurance requirement applies to standalone appliance repair unless the work crosses into a regulated trade (HVAC, electrical, or plumbing), which requires CCB registration and Building Codes Division licensure. Manufacturers' warranty networks, home warranty companies, and commercial landlords typically require proof of general liability insurance (COI) regardless.

Workers' Compensation Threshold

Oregon requires workers' compensation coverage for any employer with even one subject worker; sole proprietors, qualifying partners, and corporate officers/directors with a substantial ownership interest can elect nonsubject (exempt) status for themselves, and certain close family members in licensed contracting businesses may also elect nonsubject status.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Oregon require insurance for HVAC contractors?▾
Yes. Residential Specialty Contractor (HVAC endorsement) (Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB), with individual technicians also licensed by the Building Codes Division) requires general liability insurance, a surety bond, workers' compensation insurance. Commercial Specialty Contractor, Level 1 / Level 2 (HVAC endorsement) (Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB), with individual technicians also licensed by the Building Codes Division) requires general liability insurance, a surety bond, workers' compensation insurance.
How much liability insurance does an HVAC contractor need in Oregon?▾
Residential Specialty Contractor (HVAC endorsement): $300,000 per occurrence. Commercial Specialty Contractor, Level 1 / Level 2 (HVAC endorsement): Level 1: $1,000,000 aggregate; Level 2: $500,000 per occurrence.
Do appliance repair businesses need a license or insurance in Oregon?▾
Oregon does not license general appliance repair at the state level. No state license or insurance requirement applies to standalone appliance repair unless the work crosses into a regulated trade (HVAC, electrical, or plumbing), which requires CCB registration and Building Codes Division licensure. Manufacturers' warranty networks, home warranty companies, and commercial landlords typically require proof of general liability insurance (COI) regardless.
When is workers' compensation insurance required in Oregon?▾
Oregon requires workers' compensation coverage for any employer with even one subject worker; sole proprietors, qualifying partners, and corporate officers/directors with a substantial ownership interest can elect nonsubject (exempt) status for themselves, and certain close family members in licensed contracting businesses may also elect nonsubject status.

Sources

  1. Oregon Revised Statutes (Oregon Law) — ORS 656.027 — Who are subject workers, accessed 2026-07-15
  2. Oregon Construction Contractors Board — CCB License — Insurance and Bond Requirements by Endorsement, accessed 2026-07-15

Last verified 2026-07-15. Spot something inaccurate? Report an inaccuracy.