Hawaii Contractor Licenses: Updated Requirements Guide

Last Updated: 2025-10-18

Overview of Hawaii Contractor Licensing

The Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Contractors License Board regulates contractor licensing statewide. Licenses are categorized as General Engineering (A), General Building (B), and Specialty (C). Specialty classifications include trade-specific scopes such as roofing, plumbing, refrigeration, and solar power systems. Each licensed contracting entity must have a designated Responsible Managing Employee (RME) who demonstrates qualifying experience and passes the required examinations.

Hawaii’s contractor exams are administered by PSI, and based on available information are closed book, multiple-choice exams with a 75% passing score. Most classifications require two parts: Business & Law and a trade exam. Fees, insurance minimums, and renewal schedules are set by the Board. All contractor licenses renew biennially and must be renewed by September 30 of even-numbered years.

Reciprocity is not broadly available. Out-of-state contractors should expect to meet Hawaii’s experience criteria and pass Hawaii’s exams. Because official online details for some personal trade licenses are incomplete, always confirm current requirements with the Board before you invest in applications or exam preparation.

Electrician Licenses in Hawaii

Based on available online data, detailed state-level requirements for individual electrician credentials (apprentice, journeyman, or master) were not located. Electrician regulation in Hawaii may be handled at the county level or by boards not referenced in the Contractors License Board materials. If you plan to perform electrical work, verify both personal licensing and business licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.

At the contractor level, electrical work is typically authorized under specialty contractor classifications. However, our current research dataset does not list an electrical specialty classification by code. Because classification lists can change, contact the Board directly to confirm the correct specialty and any exam requirements before applying.

• What to verify: Whether a personal electrician license is required in your county, the correct contractor classification for electrical work, and exam requirements with PSI.
• Documentation: Hawaii contractor classifications generally require 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years, documented by notarized certificates and verification acceptable to the Board.

If you are preparing for a Hawaii contractor exam that includes electrical scopes, you can review current study options on our Hawaii page. Our PDF study materials typically include 1,500–2,500 questions, detailed answer keys, and reference locators to exact code sections for efficient offline study. Explore Hawaii electrician practice test materials.

Plumbing Licenses in Hawaii

Individual journeyman or master plumber licensing details were not found in the Contractors License Board’s online materials and may be handled locally or by other boards. However, contracting businesses that perform plumbing work do so under a specialty contractor license in Hawaii: the C-37 Plumbing Contractor classification.

C-37 Plumbing Contractor (Specialty)

• Experience: 4 years of supervisory experience in plumbing within the past 10 years; documented by notarized certificates and verification acceptable to the Board.
• Exam: Administered by PSI; multiple-choice; closed book; 75% passing score; topics include Business & Law and Plumbing Trade Knowledge.
• Fees: Application $50; Examination $75 per part; Initial License $663 (entity), $208 (RME); Renewal $338 (entity/sole proprietor), $208 (RME); Late penalty $50 (entity/sole proprietor or RME).
• Insurance: Liability insurance required with at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
• Renewal: Biennial by September 30 of even years; no continuing education specified in available sources.

Plumbing businesses must designate an RME who meets the experience requirements and passes the plumbing contractor exams. This RME is responsible for the supervision of contracting operations. If you also need personal plumber credentials (e.g., journeyman), contact DCCA and your local jurisdiction to confirm requirements.

For exam prep support specific to Hawaii’s plumbing contractor licensing, see our Hawaii page. Our PDF study guides feature 1,500–2,500 questions, comprehensive answer keys, and reference locators that point to the relevant code sections so you can study offline effectively. Review Hawaii plumbing contractor practice test options.

HVAC Licenses in Hawaii

Statewide online guidance for individual HVAC technician licensing is limited. Many HVAC businesses in Hawaii operate under specialty contractor classifications. For refrigeration-related HVAC scopes, Hawaii uses the C-40 Refrigeration Contractor classification. Depending on the systems you install or service, you may also interact with solar-related scopes under specialty classifications.

C-40 Refrigeration Contractor (Specialty)

• Experience: 4 years of supervisory experience in refrigeration within the past 10 years; documented with notarized certificates and Board-acceptable verification.
• Exam: Administered by PSI; multiple-choice; closed book; 75% passing score; topics include Business & Law and Refrigeration Trade Knowledge.
• Fees: Application $50; Examination $75 per part; Initial License $663 (entity), $208 (RME); Renewal $338 (entity/sole proprietor), $208 (RME); Late penalty $50 (entity/sole proprietor or RME).
• Insurance: Liability coverage of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
• Renewal: Biennial by September 30 of even years; no continuing education specified in available sources.

Related Specialty: C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor

Some HVAC firms also work on solar-integrated systems. The C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor classification follows similar exam, experience, fee, insurance, and renewal parameters to other specialty classifications listed above. Confirm the exact scope and whether your work requires this classification before bidding solar-integrated projects.

• Federal Note: Technicians who handle regulated refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification. This is a federal requirement, separate from Hawaii contractor licensing.

Planning to prepare for a Hawaii HVAC/refrigeration contractor exam? Our PDF practice resources are designed for offline study with 1,500–2,500 questions, detailed answer keys, and code reference locators. See Hawaii HVAC/refrigeration practice test materials.

General Contractor Licenses in Hawaii

Hawaii recognizes three principal contractor classifications: A (General Engineering), B (General Building), and C (Specialty). Each licensed entity must have a qualifying Responsible Managing Employee (RME) who meets experience requirements and passes exams. The Board evaluates experience via notarized certificates and any additional verification it requires.

General Engineering Contractor (A)

• Classification: General
• Experience: 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years, verified by notarized certificates and other Board-specified documentation.
• Exams: Administered by PSI; multiple-choice; closed book; 75% passing score. Parts typically include Business & Law and Trade Knowledge.
• Fees: Application $50; Examination $75 per part; Initial License $663 (entity), $208 (RME); Renewal $338 (entity/sole proprietor), $208 (RME); Late penalty $50 (entity/sole proprietor or RME).
• Insurance: Liability insurance required with at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
• Renewal: Biennial; due by September 30 of even-numbered years; continuing education not specified.

General Building Contractor (B)

• Classification: General
• Experience: 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years; notarized certificates and other verification as required by the Board.
• Exams: PSI; multiple-choice; closed book; 75% passing score. Covers Business & Law and Trade Knowledge.
• Fees: Application $50; Examination $75 per part; Initial License $663 (entity), $208 (RME); Renewal $338 (entity/sole proprietor), $208 (RME); Late penalty $50 (entity/sole proprietor or RME).
• Insurance: Liability minimums of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
• Renewal: Biennial; due by September 30 of even-numbered years; no CE specified.

Specialty Contractor (C)

• Classification: Specialty (trade-specific). Examples in the current dataset include C-37 Plumbing, C-40 Refrigeration, C-42 Roofing, and C-60 Solar Power Systems.
• Experience: 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years in the specialty trade; documented by notarized certificates and other verification as required.
• Exams: PSI; multiple-choice; closed book; 75% passing score; generally includes Business & Law and Trade Knowledge.
• Fees: Application $50; Examination $75 per part; Initial License $663 (entity), $208 (RME); Renewal $338 (entity/sole proprietor), $208 (RME); Late penalty $50 (entity/sole proprietor or RME).
• Insurance: Liability coverage of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
• Renewal: Biennial; due by September 30 of even-numbered years; CE not specified.

If you’re preparing for the Business & Law and trade exams for General Engineering (A), General Building (B), or Specialty (C) in Hawaii, check our Hawaii page for current study resources. Our PDF practice sets typically include 1,500–2,500 questions, with detailed answer keys and reference locators to help you find exact code sections quickly. Browse Hawaii General Contractor practice questions.

Roofing Licenses in Hawaii

Roofing work in Hawaii is performed under the specialty contractor classification C-42 Roofing Contractor. Roofing entities must designate an RME who qualifies through experience and successfully passes the exams.

C-42 Roofing Contractor (Specialty)

• Experience: 4 years of supervisory experience in roofing within the past 10 years; notarized certificates and verification acceptable to the Board.
• Exam: PSI-administered; multiple-choice; closed book; 75% passing score; parts typically include Business & Law and Roofing Trade Knowledge.
• Fees: Application $50; Examination $75 per part; Initial License $663 (entity), $208 (RME); Renewal $338 (entity/sole proprietor), $208 (RME); Late penalty $50 (entity/sole proprietor or RME).
• Insurance: Liability minimums of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
• Renewal: Biennial, due by September 30 of even-numbered years; no CE specified.

Need help preparing? Our PDF practice resources are designed for offline study with 1,500–2,500 questions, full answer keys, and reference locators to applicable code sections. Find Hawaii roofing contractor practice test materials.

Application Process

Hawaii’s application process is straightforward but documentation heavy. Incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delays. Plan to provide detailed, notarized proof of supervisory experience and ensure all forms are complete before submitting.

1. Determine your classification: Confirm whether you need A, B, or a specific C specialty. When in doubt, verify with the Board before applying.
2. Submit your application: Complete the application and include all supporting documentation and fees. Online application is available at https://mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov.
3. Board review: The Board verifies your experience (often via notarized certificates and any additional verification needed).
4. Schedule exams with PSI: Once approved, you’ll receive instructions to schedule your exams with PSI. Exams are closed book with a 75% passing score.
5. Provide insurance (and bond if required): Submit proof of liability insurance meeting the minimums. Bonds may be required depending on the classification or project needs.
6. Pay initial license fees and receive your license: Upon meeting all requirements and fees, your license will be issued.

Typical timeline: From submission to approval may take several weeks to a few months, depending on completeness and the Board’s meeting schedule.

Fees at a Glance

• Application: $50
• Examination: $75 per part (Business & Law and Trade are separate parts)
• Initial License: $663 (entity), $208 (RME)
• Renewal: $338 (entity/sole proprietor), $208 (RME)
• Late Penalty: $50 (entity/sole proprietor or RME)

Insurance and Renewal

• Insurance: Liability minimums of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate are required.
• Renewal cycle: Biennial; all licenses renew by September 30 of even-numbered years.
• Continuing education: None specified in the available sources.

Reciprocity and Out-of-State Applicants

No general reciprocity is available for contractor licenses. All applicants must meet Hawaii’s experience criteria and pass the Hawaii-specific exams. If you are licensed elsewhere, submit a complete application with experience documentation and prepare to take the Hawaii exams.

If you are preparing for the Hawaii Business & Law and trade exams, our PDF study materials provide 1,500–2,500 questions with detailed answer keys and reference locators to the exact code sections, enabling efficient offline study. View Hawaii contractor exam practice tests.

Exam Preparation Tips

• Closely match your experience documentation to the classification’s scope.
• Study both Business & Law and the Trade Knowledge components.
• Because exams are closed book, focus on memorization and concept mastery.
• Use practice questions with answer keys and reference locators to reinforce code concepts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Sources & References

Looking for study help while you confirm your classification with the Board? See our Hawaii page for PDF practice sets with 1,500–2,500 questions, detailed answer keys, and code reference locators. Visit the Hawaii practice test catalog.