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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

Reciprocal Agreements

State Business & Law Exam
State General Contractor Exams
"A" Classification Exams
"B" Classification Exams
"C" Classification Exams
National Exams
State Business & Law Exam State General Contractor Exams "A" Classification Exams "B" Classification Exams "C" Classification Exams National Exams

Construction Work Regulated?

In Hawaii, all commercial, residential, and public works construction activities are regulated at the state level and require proper licensure. Contractors must be licensed to perform construction work and to bid on public works projects. Separate state licenses are also required for electricians and plumbers.

Who Regulates Construction?

Applications and licensing information for all types of contractor, individual licenses, or pre qualification may be obtained from:

Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Professional and Vocational Licensing Division
Post Office Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
(808) 586-3000
https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/

Requirements?

Contractor applicants must achieve a minimum score of 75% on examinations covering both trade-specific knowledge and the laws and regulations governing contractor licensing. Applicants are also required to have at least four (4) years of supervisory experience gained within the ten (10) years preceding the application date.

All licensed contractors must contribute to the Contractors Recovery Fund, which provides compensation for qualifying claims. The maximum payout is $12,500 per claimant and $25,000 per contractor.

In addition to the application, applicants must submit the following:

a. A credit report covering the previous five (5) years or more for each individual applicant, Responsible Managing Employee (RME), partner, and corporate officer;

b. A current financial statement prepared and signed by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), along with an independent accountant’s report;

c. A current tax clearance certificate issued by the Department of Taxation; and

d. Proof of insurance, including:

A workers’ compensation insurance certificate; and
A certificate of general liability insurance meeting the required coverage limits.

Insurance Type / Amount
Property Damage Liability / $50,000 per occurrence
Bodily Injury / $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence

The Board may require a contractor bond in varying amounts, with a minimum bond of $5,000, based on factors such as financial strength or other licensing considerations.

Both the Responsible Managing Employee (RME) and the contracting business entity must be properly licensed.

Contractor licenses expire on September 30 of each even-numbered year. Applicants should allow approximately 90 days for application processing.

Application Fee / License Fee / Renewal Fee / Recovery Fund / Exam Fee
$50 / $438 - $663 / $208 - $353 / $150 / $150

Electricians:
Applicants must pass an open book trade exam by achieving a score of 70% or higher. These fees include a $43 per year assessment for the Compliance Resolution Fund. Licenses expire on June 30th every 3 years.

License Type / Application Fee / License Fee / Renewal Fee / Exam Fee
Journey Worker Electrician-EJ / $40 $102 - $306 / $306 / $95
Supervising Electrician-ES / $40 / $102 - $306 / $306 / $95

Electrician Education and Experience Requirements are as follows:

License Type / Educational Requirement / Years of Experience Required / Hours of Experience Required

Journey Worker / 240 hours / 5 years full-time / At least 10,000
Electrician-EJ Supervising / 240 hours / 4 years as a Hawaii licensed or equivalent EJ / N/A
Electrician-ES Journey Worker / 120 hours / 3 years full-time / At least 6,000
Specialty Electrician-EJS Supervising Specialty / 120 hours / 2 years as an EJS or Hawaii licensed equivalent / N/A
Electrician-ESS Journey Worker / 200 hours / 4 years full-time / At least 8,000
Industrial Electrician-EJI Supervising Industrial / 200 hours / 3 years as a Hawaii licensed EJI or equivalent / N/A
Electrician-ESI Maintenance / See below / See below / See below
Electrician-EM Maintenance Electrician: 1 year of experience in electrical maintenance work plus at least 80 hours education; or 2 years of education in the trade with at least 2,000 hours of hands-on lab exercises.

Plumbers:
Applicants must pass a closed book trade exam by achieving a score of 70% or higher. The annual $43 assessment for the Compliance Resolution Fund also applies to plumbers. Licenses expire on June 30th of every 3 years.

License Type / Application Fee / License Fee / Renewal Fee / Exam Fee
Journey Worker / $40 / $102 - $306 / $306 / $90
Master / $40 / $102 - $306 / $306 / $90

Plumber Education and Experience Requirements:

Applicants for a Journey Worker Plumber (PJ) license must document a minimum of five (5) years of plumbing experience, including at least 10,000 hours of practical work in the trade.

Applicants for a Master Plumber (PM) license must have held a Hawaii Journey Worker Plumber (PJ) license for at least two (2) years or possess equivalent qualifying experience.

For Master Plumber licensure, equivalent experience is defined as holding a journey worker or master plumber license for a minimum of two (2) years in another county, state, or country where the licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to those established by Hawaii.

Reciprocal Agreements

Hawaii does not have reciprocity agreements with other states.