OAR 137-055-4420
License Suspension for Child Support

(1) For the purposes of this rule, “license” means any of the licenses, certificates, permits or registrations that a person is required by state law to possess in order to engage in an occupation or profession, all annual licenses issued to individuals by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, all driver licenses and permits issued by the Department of Transportation under ORS chapter 807, and all permanent and fee-based annual hunting and fishing licenses issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
(2) The administrator may begin the process to suspend an obligor’s licenses if:
(a) The obligor has an order or judgment to pay child support, regardless of whether that order or judgment is currently accruing support;
(b) The administrator has been providing services on the case pursuant to ORS 25.080 (Entity primarily responsible for support enforcement services) for at least three months;
(c) The obligor owes arrears in an amount equal to the greater of three months of support or $2500;
(d) The obligor and administrator have not entered into an agreement as described in section (10), or there is an agreement but the obligor is not in compliance with the agreement;
(e) The obligor has not made voluntary payments, or payments by income withholding, every month for the last three months greater than the current support amount, or if there is no longer an order or judgment for current support, equal to the amount of the most recent order for current support. This criterion does not apply to payments resulting from garnishment, tax offset, or any other enforcement action other than income withholding; and
(f) The order is not currently suspended under ORS 25.247 (Rebuttable presumption of inability to pay child support when obligor incarcerated).
(3) The administrator will consider the obligor’s employment and payment history, the obligor’s current ability to pay, the likely benefit to the child, and any other pertinent factor in determining whether to initiate or continue the license suspension process.
(4) The administrator will begin the license suspension process by giving written notice to the obligor by regular mail. If the issuing agency or agencies have addresses listed for the obligor other than the address in the administrator’s records, the administrator will send copies of the notice to the address in the administrator’s records and to each address in the records of the agencies holding licenses. The notice to the obligor will specify:
(a) The obligor’s name, final four digits of Social Security number, if available, and year of birth, if known;
(b) The license(s) subject to suspension and a statement that any license not specified in the notice will also be subject to suspension without a separate notice;
(c) The obligor’s child support case number(s);
(d) The basis for the suspension, including amount of the arrears and the amount of the monthly support obligation(s), if any;
(e) The procedure and grounds for contesting the suspension;
(f) A statement that the obligor can prevent suspension of the license(s) by entering into and complying with an agreement with the administrator; and
(g) A statement that unless the obligor contacts the administrator within 30 days of the date of the notice and contests the license suspension or enters into an agreement, the administrator may notify the issuing agency or agencies to suspend the license(s) without further notice.
(5) The obligor may contest the suspension within 30 days of the notice described in section (4) of this rule only on the grounds that:
(a) The obligor owes arrears less than or equal to the greater of three months of support or $2,500; or
(b) There is a mistake in the obligor’s identity.
(6) Any of the following events ends the license suspension process. The administrator will stop all license suspension actions and notify the issuing agency to release any license already suspended, subject to that agency’s requirements, if, on timely receipt of a contest from the obligor under section (5), on the obligor’s subsequent request for a review of the case, or at any time upon review of the case, the administrator determines that:
(a) The administrator is no longer providing services under ORS 25.080 (Entity primarily responsible for support enforcement services);
(b) The obligor owes arrears less than or equal to the greater of three months of support or $2,500;
(c) The individual whose license(s) are to be suspended is not the obligor who owes the support arrears that are the basis for the suspension; or
(d) The order is suspended under ORS 25.247 (Rebuttable presumption of inability to pay child support when obligor incarcerated).
(7) If the obligor contests license suspension under section (5), the administrator will make a determination based on the criteria in section (6) and notify the parties in writing of the determination. If the administrator determines that the suspension process will continue, the obligor may object within 30 days of the date of the administrator’s determination by requesting an administrative hearing. Upon receipt of the hearing request, the administrator will take no further action to suspend pending receipt of the hearing order.
(8) Not less than 30 days after issuing the notice that the obligor’s license is subject to suspension, as described in section (4), the administrator will review the case. If the case continues to qualify for suspension, and no contest has been received from the obligor, the administrator may notify the issuing agency to suspend the obligor’s license(s).
(9) If an obligor holds more than one license, any determination regarding suspension of one license is sufficient to suspend any other license.
(10) The administrator may enter into an agreement with the obligor, the obligor’s compliance with which will preclude suspension of the obligor’s license.
(a) The standard monthly payment amount for a compliance agreement is the amount that could be obtained through income withholding under ORS 25.414 (Standard amount to be withheld). In determining this amount, the obligor’s actual earnings will be used, but no less than the equivalent of full-time work at the lowest Oregon minimum wage. An agreement under this subsection may be for any period of time agreed to by the administrator and obligor.
(b) If the obligor demonstrates inability to pay the full amount described in subsection (10)(a), the administrator may agree to a temporary hardship exception for a lesser amount, including, where appropriate, no amount. The administrator may condition the hardship exception on receipt of a modification request from the obligor, including any evidence needed to substantiate the request. A hardship exception may also require that the obligor take specific steps to enhance the obligor’s ability to pay, such as job search, job training or substance abuse treatment. A hardship exception under this subsection may be for no longer than six months. At the end of the hardship period, the agreement must automatically change to a standard payment amount under subsection (10)(a). However, at the end of the hardship period, the administrator may agree to a subsequent hardship exception under this subsection if the administrator determines such an exception remains appropriate.
(11) Any agreement entered into under section (10) must include:
(a) The amount and due date of the payment. The due date in the payment agreement is solely for the purposes of the license suspension process and does not affect the monthly due date in the support order;
(b) If the agreement is based on a hardship exception under subsection (10)(b), a standard payment amount determined under subsection (10)(a) that will automatically go into effect at the end of the specified hardship exception period;
(c) The duration of the agreement, including the duration of the subsequent payment agreement if the initial agreement is based on a hardship exception under subsection (10)(b) of this rule;
(d) A statement that payments may be made through income withholding;
(e) A statement that failure to comply with the agreement may result in immediate notification to the issuing agency to suspend the license(s) without further notice to the obligor;
(f) A statement that the agreement may be terminated if the support order or judgment is modified;
(g) A statement that the administrator may terminate the agreement and suspend the license at any time if the obligor fails to comply with the agreement, if the obligor’s income changes, or if the obligor has under-reported income;
(h) A statement that the obligor’s compliance with the agreement does not preclude any enforcement action by the administrator other than license suspension, and that other collection actions will continue to occur;
(i) A statement that the obligor is required to inform the administrator within 10 days of any change in employment;
(j) A statement that information provided by the obligor may be used for other enforcement actions, including contempt actions; and
(k) The signatures of the obligor and the administrator.
(12) When the administrator enters into an agreement with the obligor, the administrator will send courtesy copies of the agreement to the parties on the case.
(13) If the obligor complies with the agreement, the administrator will not notify the issuing agency to suspend the obligor’s license(s), or, if the license has already been suspended, the administrator will notify the issuing agency to reinstate the license.
(14) If the obligor fails to comply with an agreement, the administrator may notify the issuing agency to suspend the obligor’s license(s). The administrator will notify the parties to the case that the action has been taken. If the obligor has complied with the agreement for at least one year and then stops complying, the administrator will send the obligor written notice 30 days prior to issuing the notice to suspend to provide the opportunity for the obligor to comply.
(15) If an obligor has more than one child support case, the Child Support Program Director or designee will determine and assign a single office that will be responsible for services relating to that obligor under this rule. Any enforcement services other than license suspension will be provided by the office(s) otherwise assigned to the obligor’s case(s).

Source: Rule 137-055-4420 — License Suspension for Child Support, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=137-055-4420 (accessed May 26, 2025).

137–055–1010
Applicability of Rules in OAR 137, Division 55 137–055–1020
Child Support Program Definitions 137–055–1040
“Party Status” in Court and Administrative Proceedings 137–055–1060
Uniform Application for Child Support Enforcement Services 137–055–1070
Provision of Services 137–055–1080
Fees 137–055–1090
Good Cause 137–055–1100
Continuation of Services 137–055–1120
Case Closure 137–055–1140
Confidentiality of Records in the Child Support Program 137–055–1160
Confidentiality — Finding of Risk and Order for Nondisclosure of Information 137–055–1200
Use of Social Security Number by the Child Support Program 137–055–1320
Access to FPLS for Purposes of Parentage Establishment 137–055–1360
Access to FPLS for Parental Kidnapping, Child Custody or Visitation Purposes 137–055–1500
Incentive Payments 137–055–1600
Child Support Program Participant Grievance 137–055–1700
Division of Child Support as Garnishee — Service of Writ 137–055–1800
Limited English Proficiency 137–055–2020
Case Assignment 137–055–2045
Spousal Support 137–055–2060
Cases with Contradictory Purposes 137–055–2080
Office Responsible for Providing Services when Conflict of Interest 137–055–2100
Process Service 137–055–2120
Rules for Contested Case Hearings in the Child Support Program 137–055–2140
Delegations to Administrative Law Judge 137–055–2160
Requests for Hearing 137–055–2165
Requests to Reschedule Hearing 137–055–2170
Use of Lay Representatives at Administrative Hearings 137–055–2180
Reconsideration and Rehearing 137–055–2320
Requirement for Services — Obligor Bankruptcy Situations 137–055–2340
Obligor Bankruptcy Situations in General 137–055–2360
Obligor Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Situations 137–055–2380
Obligor Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Situations 137–055–3020
Paternity Establishment Procedures 137–055–3040
Temporary Order for Support 137–055–3060
Establishing Paternity in Multiple Alleged Father Cases 137–055–3080
Responsibility of Administrator to Establish Paternity at Request of Self-Alleged Father 137–055–3100
Order Establishing Paternity for Failure to Comply with an Order for Parentage Testing 137–055–3120
Changing Child’s Surname on Birth Certificate When Paternity Established 137–055–3140
Reopening of Paternity Cases 137–055–3200
Pending Judicial Proceedings and Existing Support Orders 137–055–3220
Establishment of Past Support Orders 137–055–3240
Establishment of Arrears 137–055–3260
Correction of Mistakes in Orders 137–055–3280
Administrative Law Judge Order Regarding Arrears 137–055–3290
Entry of Contingency Orders When Child Out of Care 137–055–3300
Incarcerated Obligors 137–055–3360
Entering of Administrative Orders in the Register of the Circuit Court 137–055–3400
District Attorney Case Assignment for Modification or Suspension of Support 137–055–3410
Notice and Finding of Financial Responsibility or Modification 137–055–3420
Periodic Review and Modification of Child Support Order Amounts 137–055–3430
Substantial Change in Circumstance Modification of Child Support Order Amounts 137–055–3435
Physical Custody Changes: Adjusting Orders 137–055–3440
Effective Date of Modification Under ORS 25.527 137–055–3460
Processing Modifications When Unable to Find the Obligee 137–055–3480
Modification of a Support Order to Zero or Termination of a Support Order 137–055–3485
Establishment or Modification for a Child Who Is Approaching or Has Reached 18 Years of Age 137–055–3490
Suspension of Enforcement 137–055–3495
Redirection of Support 137–055–3500
Joinder of a New Party to a Child Support Proceeding 137–055–3620
Administrative Subpoena 137–055–3640
Enforcement of a Subpoena by License Suspension 137–055–3660
Multiple Child Support Judgments 137–055–3665
Multiple Child Support Judgments — Multiple Obligees 137–055–4040
New Hire Reporting Requirements 137–055–4060
Income Withholding — General Provisions, Requirements and Definitions 137–055–4080
Exceptions to Income Withholding 137–055–4130
Reduced Income Withholding 137–055–4160
Contested Income Withholding 137–055–4210
Withholder Penalties 137–055–4300
Support Enforcement by Methods Other than Income Withholding 137–055–4320
Collection of Delinquent Support Obligations Through the Oregon Department of Revenue 137–055–4340
Collection of Delinquent Support Obligations Through the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury 137–055–4420
License Suspension for Child Support 137–055–4440
Liens Against Personal and Real Property 137–055–4450
Expiration and Release of Judgment Liens 137–055–4455
Expiration of Support Judgment Remedies 137–055–4460
Posting Security Bond or Other Guarantee of Payment of Overdue Support 137–055–4500
Financial Institution Data Match — Reasonable Fee 137–055–4510
Financial Institution Data Matches – Insurance Claims 137–055–4520
Garnishment 137–055–4540
Passport Denial and Release 137–055–4560
Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies 137–055–4620
Enforcing Health Care Coverage and Cash Medical Support 137–055–4640
Medical Support Notice — Plan Selection 137–055–5025
Payment of Child Support to an Escrow Agent 137–055–5030
Receipting of Support Payments 137–055–5035
Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer 137–055–5040
Accrual and Due Dates 137–055–5045
Inconsistent Provisions: Body of Order and Support or Money Award 137–055–5060
Billings for Support Payments 137–055–5080
Adding Interest 137–055–5110
Child Attending School 137–055–5120
Child Attending School — Arrears 137–055–5220
Satisfaction of Support Awards 137–055–5240
Credit for Support Payments not made to the Department of Justice 137–055–5400
Obligor Receiving Cash Assistance, Presumed Unable to Pay Child Support 137–055–5510
Request for Credit Against Child Support Arrears for Physical Custody of Child 137–055–5520
Request for Credit Against Child Support Arrears for Social Security or Veterans’ Benefits Paid Retroactively on Behalf of a Child 137–055–6010
Definitions for Distribution and Disbursement 137–055–6020
Disbursement by Electronic Funds Transfer/Electronic Data Interchange 137–055–6021
Allocation, Distribution, and Disbursement: General Provisions 137–055–6022
Distribution and Disbursement 137–055–6023
Exceptions to Allocation, Distribution, and Disbursement 137–055–6024
Allocation of Collections to Multiple Cases 137–055–6026
Payment Holds 137–055–6040
Right to Hearing to Contest Amount of Assigned Support 137–055–6120
Satisfaction of Arrears for Less Than Full Payment 137–055–6200
Adjusting Case Arrears When an Error is Identified 137–055–6210
Advance Payments of Child Support 137–055–6220
Recovery of Overpayments and Collection of Receivable Accounts 137–055–6240
Dishonored Payments on Support Accounts 137–055–6260
Return of Payments to Obligor or Other Jurisdiction 137–055–6280
Refund of Improper Tax Refund Collection 137–055–7040
Central Registry 137–055–7060
Initiating Jurisdiction Responsibilities – General Provisions 137–055–7100
Interstate Income Withholding 137–055–7120
Responding Jurisdiction Responsibilities – General Provisions 137–055–7140
Oregon as Responding Jurisdiction – Establishing Paternity 137–055–7180
Determining Controlling Order 137–055–7190
Review and Modification In Intergovernmental Cases

May 26, 2025

Rule 137-055-4420's source at or​.us