No he cannot.

ORS 701.131 License required to perfect lien or obtain judicial or administrative remedy; exception. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a contractor may not perfect a construction lien, file a complaint with the Construction Contractors Board or commence an arbitration or a court action for compensation for the performance of any work or for the breach of any contract for work that is subject to this chapter, unless the contractor had a valid license issued by the board:

(a) At the time the contractor bid or entered into the contract for performance of the work; and

(b) Continuously while performing the work for which compensation is sought.

(2) The board, arbitrator or court may not apply the provisions of subsection (1) of this section to a contractor if the board, arbitrator or court determines that:

(a) The contractor either did not have a valid license at any time required under subsection (1) of this section, or had an initial issuance of a valid license, and:

(A) The contractor was not aware of the requirement that the contractor be licensed, and the contractor submitted a completed application for a license within a number of days established by the board, but not more than 90 days, of the date the contractor became aware of the requirement;

(B) At the time the contractor perfected a construction lien or commenced any proceeding subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the contractor was licensed by the board; and

(C) Enforcement of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section would result in substantial injustice to the contractor;

(b) The contractor was licensed by the board for some but not all of the times required under subsection (1) of this section and had a lapse in the license and:

(A) The contractor was not aware of the lapse in the license for more than a number of days established by the board, but not to exceed 90 days, before submitting a completed application for license renewal with the board;