BBSI Announces Three-For-Two Stock Split

PORTLAND, Ore., April 18, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Barrett Business

Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBSI) today announced that its Board of Directors has

declared a three-for-two split of the company's common stock. The additional

shares to be issued in the stock split will be distributed on May 19, 2005 to

stockholders of record at the close of business on April 29, 2005. Cash will

be paid in lieu of fractional shares.

"The stock split reflects our confidence in the company's continued strong

growth and financial results following a record year in 2004. We believe the

split will increase accessibility and enhance liquidity for our shares in the

trading market," said William W. Sherertz, President and Chief Executive

Officer.

As of March 25, 2005, BBSI had 5,810,254 shares of common stock

outstanding, 57 stockholders of record and approximately 1,025 beneficial

owners. Following the stock split, BBSI will have approximately 8.7 million

shares outstanding. The par value of the common stock will remain $.01 per

share.

BBSI provides human resource management solutions to large and small

companies throughout many regions of the United States.

Statements in this release about future events or performance, including

earnings expectations for the first quarter of 2005, are forward-looking

statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other

factors that may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially

different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking

statements. Factors that could affect future results include economic

conditions in the Company's service areas, the effect of changes in the

Company's mix of services on gross margin, future workers' compensation claims

experience, the effect of changes in the workers' compensation regulatory

environment in one or more of our primary markets, collectibility of accounts

receivable, and availability of funding for working capital purposes, among

others. Other important factors that may affect the Company's future

prospects are described in the Company's 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Although forward-looking statements help to provide complete information about

the Company, readers should keep in mind that forward-looking statements may

be less reliable than historical information. The Company undertakes no

obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements in this release to

reflect events or changes in circumstances that occur after the date of this

release.

SOURCE Barrett Business Services, Inc.

William W. Sherertz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Barrett Business

Services, Inc., +1-503-220-0988

Released April 18, 2005