As a master electrician in Oregon, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“Can I do my own electrical work?”

The short answer is yes—sometimes—but there are strict rules, and safety should always come first. In Oregon, electrical work is regulated for a reason: done incorrectly, it can cause fires, electrocution, or expensive damage.

Before we get into the legal details, I want to share a story from the field—one that proves why electrical work today is far more complex than it was a few decades ago.

Split image showing a puzzled homeowner holding a GFCI outlet with a diagram of reversed line and load terminals, alongside a licensed Oregon electrician working on a breaker panel with an electrical permit form visible, highlighting DIY wiring challenges and the importance of professional electrical work

A Personal Story: Why Grandpa’s Wiring Advice Doesn’t Work Anymore

I grew up hearing the old saying:

“Change one wire at a time and you won’t make a mistake.”

That advice might have worked in the early 1990s. Back then, technology was simpler—the fanciest thing in many homes was a Nintendo or a Discman, and nobody had a smartphone. There weren’t thousands of code changes every few years, and electrical devices were far less sophisticated.

Fast forward to today, and that old advice can get you hurt—or worse.

Take GFCI outlets for example. These are the receptacles with the “test” and “reset” buttons you find in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas. I get hundreds of calls about these.

Recently, manufacturers redesigned GFCIs to be slimmer so they fit better in small electrical boxes. Great idea—except they also reversed the positions of the “line” and “load” terminals on the back.

If you replace an old GFCI with a new one using Grandpa’s “one wire at a time” method, you can wire it backwards. The green light might still come on, but the test and reset buttons won’t work—leaving you with a false sense of safety.

This is just one small example of how modern electrical work is more complex than it appears. Since I started in the industry, the National Electrical Code (NEC) has been updated every three years, with thousands of changes that most DIYers never hear about.

 

The Legal Basics: Oregon’s Electrical Laws

Oregon has strict rules about who can legally perform electrical work:

  • Licensed electrical contractors can work on any property.
  • Homeowners can work only on their primary residence—and only after obtaining the proper electrical permit from their local building department.

The key laws to know include:

If you’re a tenant, landlord, or working on a rental or flip, you cannot legally do the electrical work yourself unless you hold the proper electrician’s license.

 

What You Can Do as a Homeowner in Oregon

If you own and live in your home, you can:

  • Install or replace outlets, light fixtures, and wiring with a permit
  • Add circuits or upgrade electrical panels with a permit
  • Complete the work yourself if you meet all code requirements and pass inspection

But remember—pulling the permit is not optional. Skipping it can lead to fines, failed home inspections when you sell, or being forced to redo the work.

 

What You Cannot Do

Even as a homeowner, you may not:

  • Perform electrical work without a permit (OAR 918-309-0000)
  • Work on homes you don’t live in (ORS 479.540)
  • Ignore NEC requirements or Oregon amendments
  • Skip inspections after the work is done

Infographic titled Why Electrical Safety Matters showing home electrical fire statistics and fire prevention tips. Highlights include 51,000 electrical fires annually, electrical distribution as the third leading cause of house fires, and 65% of fire deaths occurring in homes without smoke detectors. Safety recommendations include professional electrical inspections, installing smoke detectors, using AFCI protection, testing devices monthly, having an evacuation plan, proper use of light bulbs and wiring, watching for warning signs, and avoiding overloaded outlets.

Why Electrical Safety Matters: The Numbers

Electrical hazards are one of the leading causes of house fires in the U.S., and the statistics are sobering (source: Electrical Safety Foundation International):

  • Home electrical fires cause 51,000 fires each year, nearly 500 deaths, over 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage.
  • Electrical distribution systems are the third leading cause of home structure fires.
  • Arcing faults start 28,000+ home fires annually, causing hundreds of deaths and over $700 million in property damage.
  • Electrical receptacles are involved in 5,300 fires each year, resulting in 40 deaths and more than 100 injuries.
  • 65% of home fire deaths happen in homes without working smoke alarms.

 

Fire and Electrical Safety Tips for Every Homeowner

Whether you hire a professional or do permitted work yourself, these steps can help protect your home and family:

  1. Get a professional inspection of your electrical system to ensure everything meets NEC safety provisions.
  2. Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Test them monthly.
  3. Consider AFCI protection (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters), especially in older homes. AFCIs detect dangerous conditions that standard breakers miss.
  4. Test GFCIs and AFCIs monthly to make sure they’re functioning correctly.
  5. Have an evacuation plan for your family and practice it regularly.
  6. Match bulb wattage to fixture ratings to prevent overheating.
  7. Install tamper-resistant receptacles in homes with young children.
  8. Check for warning signs like flickering lights, sizzling sounds, or breakers that trip repeatedly—and call an electrician immediately.
  9. Use extension cords only temporarily and never with space heaters or air conditioners.
  10. Avoid overloading outlets; add circuits or outlets as needed.

Graphic sign stating ‘Hire Only a Licensed Contractor and Get the Proper Permits’ with icons representing permit documents and contractor warnings for Oregon home remodels

Why Hiring a Licensed Electrician is Often Best

While Oregon does allow homeowners to do their own wiring under certain conditions, many choose to hire a licensed electrician because:

  • We stay current with all NEC updates and Oregon amendments.
  • We handle permits and inspections, ensuring compliance from start to finish.
  • We troubleshoot and resolve hidden issues that could cause safety problems later.

Sometimes a DIY job looks good on the surface but hides dangerous mistakes—like that GFCI wired backwards. Hiring a professional means peace of mind that your home is safe and code-compliant.

 

The Bottom Line

In Oregon, you can do your own home wiring if:

  • You own and live in the home
  • You obtain the correct electrical permit
  • You follow the NEC and Oregon-specific rules
  • Your work passes inspection

But if you’re not 100% confident in your ability—or if the job is large, complex, or urgent—it’s best to call a licensed electrician. The cost of doing it wrong can be far higher than the cost of doing it right the first time.

At Classic Electric, we specialize in safe, code-compliant residential electrical work. Whether you’re planning a remodel, adding circuits, or upgrading your electrical service, we’re here to help. why should i hire a master electrician