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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KYYMzTmhwn0j624xqYD4foyfPXNBmBL5ikGNEOwb6HhrOk/feeJDUZZFLJOTsrNl
 Z/sJqISlcHY8Q6GJFljZ2g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000892917-05-000174.txt : 20050729
<SEC-HEADER>0000892917-05-000174.hdr.sgml : 20050729
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050729184950
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000892917-05-000174
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050727
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050729
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050729

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000902791
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-HELP SUPPLY SERVICES [7363]
		IRS NUMBER:				520812977
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4724 S W MACADAM AVE
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5032200988

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4724 SW MACADAM AVE
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHERERTZ NANCY B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000918338

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	033-61804
		FILM NUMBER:		05986251

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6513 DIAMOND HALL ROAD
		CITY:			EASTON
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4108229636

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		111 SW FIFTH AVENUE STE 3500
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bbsform4ns72705_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-07-27</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000902791</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BBSI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000918338</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHERERTZ NANCY B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4724 SW MACADAM AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PORTLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97239</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-07-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>200000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.25</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1511030</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes underwriting discounts and commissions of $0.8125 per share.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Reporting person also has indirect beneficial ownership of 4,965 shares held by her minor children, which she disclaims.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>, as attorney-in-fact</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael D. Mulholland</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-07-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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