Contractor Licensing in Hawaii: Which Trades Need a License
Yes, Hawaii requires a statewide license for 5 of 5 contractor trades, issued by the Contractors License Board — Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Initial cost is $848.
Hawaii requires statewide contractor licensing for all trades through the Contractors License Board under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). The state uses three main classifications: A (General Engineering), B (General Building), and C (Specialty). All contractors must pass both a Business & Law exam and a trade-specific exam administered by PSI, maintain liability insurance, and submit CPA-prepared financial statements. Licenses renew biennially by September 30 of even-numbered years.
General Contractor
RequiredOversees and manages construction projects, coordinating subcontractors, materials, and timelines for residential and commercial builds.
View full requirements →Electrician
RequiredInstalls, maintains, and repairs electrical wiring, systems, and fixtures in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
View full requirements →Plumber
RequiredInstalls and repairs water supply lines, drainage systems, fixtures, and appliances in buildings and other structures.
View full requirements →HVAC Technician
RequiredInstalls, services, and repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
View full requirements →Roofing Contractor
RequiredInstalls, repairs, and replaces roofing systems on residential and commercial structures.
View full requirements →Hawaii Licensing Overview
Hawaii requires statewide licensing for 5 of 5 contractor trades. The licensed trades — general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician, roofing contractor — are regulated by the Contractors License Board — Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). Across all licensed trades, initial costs range from $848 to $848, including application fees, exams, license issuance, fingerprinting, and any other fees the state requires to obtain the license.
Hawaii Contractor License Cost Summary
| Trade | Application | Exam | License | Bond | Est. Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractor | $50 | $165 | $633 | $5,000 | $848 |
| Electrician | $50 | $165 | $633 | $5,000 | $848 |
| Plumber | $50 | $165 | $633 | $5,000 | $848 |
| HVAC Technician | $50 | $165 | $633 | $5,000 | $848 |
| Roofing Contractor | $50 | $165 | $633 | $5,000 | $848 |
Estimated totals include application, exam, license, and fingerprinting fees, plus any other fees the state requires to obtain the license. Bond amounts are separate and typically paid as an annual premium.
Set up the business before you apply in Hawaii
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Hawaii. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling terms and code references on the go.See the flashcards →Key Facts About Hawaii Contractor Licensing
- Minimum liability insurance: $100,000 per person bodily injury, $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury, $50,000 property damage per occurrence. Workers comp required for all employers.
- Applicants must submit a CPA-prepared financial statement
- A clean credit report covering at least the previous 5 years is required
- Entity applicants (LLC, Corp) must designate a Responsible Managing Employee (RME)
You're licensed in Hawaii — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Contractors License Board — Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs issues the B - General Building Contractor; the business that invoices Hawaii customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Post the bond.
Hawaii requires a $5,000 surety bond. Bond amount is determined case-by-case by the Board, ranging from $5,000 to $300,000 based on the contractor's experience, financial situation, and scope of work. Per HRS 444-16.5. How contractor bonds work→
Carry the insurance the license requires.
Hawaii requires general liability insurance for this license. Minimum liability insurance: $100,000 per person bodily injury, $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury, $50,000 property damage per occurrence. Workers comp required for all employers. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck home-service businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hawaii require a contractor license?
Yes, Hawaii requires statewide licensing for 5 of 5 trades: general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician, roofing contractor.
How much does a contractor license cost in Hawaii?
The estimated initial cost is $848, including application, exam, license and fingerprinting fees, plus any other fees the state requires to obtain the license.
Does Hawaii have license reciprocity with other states?
Hawaii does not currently have reciprocity agreements with other states. Contractors from other states must apply and meet the full requirements.
Do I need workers compensation insurance in Hawaii?
Minimum liability insurance: $100,000 per person bodily injury, $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury, $50,000 property damage per occurrence. Workers comp required for all employers.
Official Hawaii Licensing Resources
- Contractors License Board — Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) — for general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician, roofing contractor