Address: 1535 Edgewater St. NW, PO Box 14470, Salem 97309-0404
Phone: 503-378-4133
Fax: 503-378-2322
Contact: Alana Cox, Administrator
This division administers the statewide uniform building code. This code helps ensure a minimum level of safety in all areas of the state and a uniform regulatory environment for businesses, the general public and contractors. The division adopts building codes with the advice of seven statutory boards. It certifies inspectors, licenses trade professionals and establishes training and education requirements; provides code and rule interpretation and dispute resolution; enforces license, code and permit requirements to prevent unsafe conditions; and conducts inspections where local entities do not.
Building Codes Advisory Boards
Address: PO Box 14470, Salem 97309-0404
Phone: 503-899-2972
Contact: Todd Smith, Policy and Technical Services Manager
Board of Boiler Rules
Statutory Authority: ORS
480.535,
705.250
This board helps the DCBS director formulate rules for the safe construction, installation, inspection, operation, maintenance and repair of boilers and pressure vessels. They oversee licensing and enforcement actions to ensure the people involved are appropriately licensed and the work meets minimum safety standards. The governor appoints the board’s 11 members to four-year terms, subject to Senate confirmation.
Building Codes Structures Board
Statutory Authority: ORS
455.132,
455.144,
705.250
The board helps the DCBS director administer the Structural, Prefabricated Structures, Accessibility to People with Physical Disabilities and certain energy programs. The governor appoints the board’s nine members to four-year terms, subject to Senate confirmation.
Construction Industry Energy Board
Statutory Authority: ORS
455.492,
705.250
The board evaluates proposed state building code standards and administrative rules relating to energy use and efficiency of the electrical, structural, prefabricated structure and low-rise residential specialties. The proposed standards evaluated by the board may include energy conserving technology, construction methods, products and materials. The board has 11 members.
Electrical and Elevator Board
The board helps the DCBS director administer the electrical and elevator programs. It oversees the licensing and enforcement of these programs to ensure people involved are appropriately licensed and the work meets minimum safety standards. The governor appoints the board’s 15 members to four-year terms, subject to Senate confirmation.
Mechanical Board
Statutory Authority: ORS
455.140,
705.250
The board helps the DCBS director administer the code and associated administrative rules adopted for mechanical devices and equipment. The governor appoints the 10-member board, subject to Senate confirmation.
State Plumbing Board
Statutory Authority: ORS
693.115,
705.250
The board helps the DCBS director administer the plumbing program. They oversee licensing and enforcement to ensure the people involved are appropriately licensed and the work meets minimum safety standards. The governor appoints the board’s seven members, subject to Senate confirmation.
Residential and Manufactured Structures Board
Statutory Authority: ORS
455.135,
705.250
The board helps the DCBS director administer the low-rise residential dwelling program. The governor appoints the board’s 11 members, subject to Senate confirmation.
Address: 350 Winter St. NE, Salem 97301-3881; PO Box 14480, Salem 97309-0405
Phone: 503-378-4140
Fax: 503-947-7862
Contact: T.K. Keen, Administrator
Statutory Authority: ORS Chapters
59,
86A,
97,
446,
465,
646A,
650,
697,
705–
717,
723,
725,
725A,
726,
731-
735,
737,
741,
742,
743,
743A,
744,
746,
748,
750,
752,
806,
819,
823,
825
The division regulates banks and credit unions, check cashing, debt management services, financial and investment advisors, insurance industry, mortgage industry, money transmitters, pawnshops, payday and title lenders, securities and drug price transparency. The division investigates consumer complaints; analyzes and monitors financial and insurance institution finances; reviews all insurance policies before they are sold in Oregon; licenses companies and professionals; and registers securities and other investments.
Address: 350 Winter St. NE, Salem 97301-3882; PO Box 14480, Salem 97309-0405
Phone: 503-378-3272; Toll-free in Oregon only: 1-800-922-2689
Fax: 503-947-7461
Contact: Renee Stapleton, Administrator
Statutory Authority: ORS Chapter
654
Known as Oregon OSHA the division is responsible for working with employers and employees to reduce and prevent occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities and for enforcing Oregon occupational safety and health standards. The division inspects workplaces for occupational safety and health hazards, investigates complaints about safety and health issues on the job and investigates fatal accidents to determine if the Oregon Safe Employment Act has been violated. The division also provides technical, educational and consultative services to help employers and employees implement and improve injury and illness prevention plans.
Address: 350 Winter St. NE, Salem 97301-3879; PO Box 14480, Salem 97309-0405
Phone: 503-947-7810
Fax: 503-947-7630
Contact: Matt West, Acting Administrator
The division administers and regulates statutes and rules to ensure employers provide coverage for their workers; provide treatment and benefits to help injured workers return to work as quickly as possible; and resolve disputes as quickly, fairly and with as little litigation as possible. The division facilitates injured workers’ early return to work through incentive programs funded through the Workers’ Benefit Fund; helps resolve medical, vocational, disability and other disputes; and provides consultation, training and technical services to people and businesses within the system.
Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers
Address: 350 Winter St. NE, Salem 97301-3878; PO Box 14480, Salem 97309-0405
Phone: 503-378-3351; Toll-free: 1-800-927-1271
Fax: 503-373-7639
Contact: Barbra Anderson, Ombuds
Statutory Authority: ORS
656.709
The office serves as an independent advocate for workers by helping them understand their rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities within the workers’ compensation system and workplace safety and health laws and rules.
Small Business Ombudsman for Workers’ Compensation
Address: 350 Winter St. NE, Salem 97301-3878; PO Box 14480, Salem 97309-0405
Phone: 503-329-4260
Fax: 503-373-7639
Contact: Caitlin Breitbach, Ombudsman
Statutory Authority: ORS
656.709
The ombudsman serves as an independent advocate for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the professional advisers who serve them on workers' compensation questions, complaints, and disputes. The office also provides education and information to employers, trade groups, agents and insurers on relevant workers’ compensation issues.
Workers’ Compensation Management-Labor Advisory Committee
Address: 350 Winter St. NE, Salem 97301-3878; PO Box 14480, Salem 97309-0405
Phone: 971-332-0260
Fax: 503-378-6444
Contact: Teri Watson, Administrator
Statutory Authority: ORS
656.790
This committee provides an effective forum for business and labor to meet, explore and resolve issues involving the workers’ compensation system. The committee is charged with reviewing and making recommendations on workers’ compensation issues to the DCBS director and the Legislature. Members are appointed by the governor and subject to Senate confirmation. The committee consists of five management and five labor representatives and the DCBS director, who serves as an ex officio member.
Other Groups
Address: 350 Winter St. NE, Salem 97301; PO Box 3878, Salem 97309-0405
Contact: Ralph Magrish, Executive Director
Statutory Authority: ORS 646A.693
The board evaluates the cost of prescription drugs and determines whether they present an affordability challenge to consumers and health systems in Oregon. The board informs rulemaking criteria for drugs that includes health inequities for communities of color, the number of Oregon residents prescribed the drug, the price in Oregon and other criteria required by law. It also studies the entire prescription drug distribution and payment system in Oregon and elsewhere to lower the list price of prescription drugs and make recommendations to the Legislature. In addition, the board conducts affordability reviews on prescription drugs and insulin products.
The Legislature created the board in 2023 and charged it with developing a comprehensive plan to finance and administer a universal health plan, which is due to the legislature no later than Sept. 15, 2026. The board’s nine members serve a four-year term, are appointed by the Oregon governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Five members of the board must have expertise in health care delivery, finance operations or public administration, and four members must be focused on public engagement.
Address: 2601 25th St. SE, Suite 150, Salem 97302-1280
Phone: 503-378-3308
Fax: 503-373-1684
Contact: Joy Dougherty, Chair
Statutory Authority: ORS Chapter
656
The board conducts contested case hearings and provides mediation for workers’ compensation matters, as well as for Oregon OSHA citations and orders. It is the appellate body that reviews administrative law judge workers’ compensation orders on appeal, exercises its own motion jurisdiction and reviews claim disposition agreements. The board also hears appeals from Oregon Department of Justice regarding applications for compensation under the Crime Victim Assistance Program and resolves disputes between workers and workers’ compensation carriers arising from workers’ civil actions against third parties. The five-member board is appointed by the governor for four-year terms, subject to Senate confirmation.