Oregon checklist
How to hire an emergency plumber in Portland
Oregon asks plumbing businesses to hold two licenses from two agencies. A legitimate plumber can give you both numbers on the phone.
The two licenses
- CCB license from the Construction Contractors Board. It carries a bond and liability insurance, and its number has to appear in the company's ads. (CCB)
- BCD plumbing contractor license from the Building Codes Division. (BCD)
Ask whether the plumber doing the work holds a BCD journeyman license. Getting one takes verified experience and an exam. (BCD)
Questions to ask
- What are your CCB and BCD license numbers?
- Is the person coming a licensed journeyman?
- Is there a charge to come out, and do nights cost more?
- If this is the sewer line, will you get the City permit, and the right-of-way permit if the break is past the property line?
Red flags
- A CCB number but no BCD plumbing license.
- No written contract for a job over $2,000. Oregon requires one. (CCB, read Oct 17, 2026)
- Cash only, or pressure to decide before you can look them up.
Costs
We found no Portland survey of plumbing prices, so we don't print one. Ask on the phone whether there is a charge to come out, whether nights cost more, and whether they charge by the hour or flat, and get the price in writing before work starts.
What the CCB license gets you
A residential specialty contractor carries a $20,000 bond and $300,000 per-occurrence insurance; a residential general contractor carries $25,000 and $500,000. (CCB bonds, read Oct 17, 2026) (ORS 701.081, read Oct 18, 2026) You also get access to CCB mediation if a dispute comes up. (CCB) More in how to check an Oregon plumber.
Listings here with an Oregon CCB license or Oregon BCD plumbing contractor license badge matched an active record in the state's CCB or BCD license data on October 17, 2026. Look them up again before you hire.
Sources
We read each source on October 18, 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the linked page before you rely on a number.
Written by the Portland Emergency Plumbers team. We list businesses; we do not employ, bond or insure them. Spot a mistake? Use the claim page to tell us.
Portland: burst pipe, broken main, or frozen line
Broken pipe and you need the city to shut off water
Portland Water Bureau runs a 24/7 emergency line at 503-823-4874. That covers main breaks, leaking hydrants, sudden loss of water, and temporary shutoffs when a pipe breaks at your property. (Portland Water Bureau — Report a water service problem)
Low pressure or odd-tasting water
Portland Water Bureau’s Water Quality Line is 503-823-7525, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. After hours, use the 24/7 line.
Pipe burst after a freeze
Close your main shutoff valve. Then turn off the water heater at the shutoff on its cold-water inlet. Apartment renters may need the property manager to reach the valve.
Oregon licensing
Oregon plumbing contractors need two things: an active Construction Contractors Board license (Oregon Construction Contractors Board license search) and an Oregon Building Codes Division plumbing license (Oregon Building Codes Division — License holder search). Check both. One without the other is not enough for plumbing work.
Checked against the official pages linked above on 2026-10-08. Numbers change, so confirm on the utility’s site.