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Oregon is a good place to start a career in the HVAC field, but you’ll need a license.
Check out more info about the licensing process and the steps you need to take to start your career.
Article Table of Contents
How to get an HVAC license in Oregon
Oregon offers 2 types of licenses, HVAC/R license and CCB license.
So, how can you know which is right for you?
HVAC/R License
This is also known as the Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor license.
You don’t need to pass a test for this certification, as all you have to do is apply and pay the $75 fee.
However, this type of license can restrict some of your projects as you can only work on those for which your supervisor is certified.
Allowed tasks: maintain, install and repair commercial and industrial electrical products that use energy to produce heat, power, refrigeration, or air conditioning.
CCB Exam
CCB stands for commercial and residential contractors.
Before taking the exam, you need to complete 16 class hours during which you will be taught how to successfully finish an HVAC project and pass the exam.
These next schools can help with completing the required education and not only.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Chemeketa Applied Technology Building | 20, 4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97305 |
| Elite Truck School | 560 SE 4th Ave Suite 230, Hillsboro, OR 97123 |
| Energy Conservation Training Company | 11517 NE Marx St, Portland, OR 97220 |
| Institute of Technology – Salem | 4700 Silverton Rd NE, Salem, OR 97305 |
| Linn-Benton Community College | 6500 Pacific Blvd SW Albany, Oregon 97321 |
| NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center | 16021 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230 |
| Northwest College of Construction | 8111 NE Holman St, Portland, OR 97218, |
| Northwest Water and Energy Education Institute | 101 W 10th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401 |
| Pace Heating and Air | 30255 OR-34, Albany, OR 97321, |
| Portland Community College | 12000 SW 49th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97219 |
| Rogue Community College | 3345 Redwood Hwy, Grants Pass, OR 97527 |
The exam centers are situated in Aurora, Baker City, Bend, Eugene, Independence, Medford, and Portland.
The manual you can use for this exam is NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management.
The exam is made of 80 questions, lasts for 3 hours and requires a 70% passing score.
Job opportunities in HVAC
There are about 2,500 HVAC techs in Oregon, and 450 more job openings will open over the next 10 years.
An average salary for an HVAC tech in this state is $46,544 annually, with the higher earnings at about $52,739 per year.
The average salary in the United States is basically the same at $46,731 per year, and the higher ones at about $52,951 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $48,843 |
| Salem | $47,147 |
| Eugene | $45,806 |
| Gresham | $48,781 |
| Hillsboro | $48,688 |
| Beaverton | $48,843 |
| Bend | $45,170 |
| Medford | $43,781 |
| Springfield | $45,469 |
| Corvallis | $46,048 |
Regional Salary in Oregon
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 140 | $61,330 | $29.49 | $78,880 | $39,310 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 360 | $60,480 | $29.08 | $79,060 | $40,950 |
| Corvallis, OR | 30 | $64,990 | $31.24 | $93,720 | $39,360 |
| Eugene, OR | 310 | $60,290 | $28.98 | $78,690 | $38,990 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 70 | $51,060 | $24.55 | $72,770 | $36,050 |
| Medford, OR | 180 | $63,920 | $30.73 | $85,480 | $44,630 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 2,600 | $67,510 | $32.46 | $99,950 | $44,850 |
| Salem, OR | 500 | $61,970 | $29.79 | $81,160 | $39,970 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Conclusion
Although Oregon does not require licensing except for contractors, it will help your career prospects if you do get certified.
If you want to become a contractor, it is important you get a CCB license.
This will help you get more experience on the job after finishing your trade program, and help you decide which HVAC area you want to work in.
Read the full guide: How to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC Schools by City
HVAC Schools by State