General Contractor License Requirements in Hawaii
| Licensing Authority | Contractors License Board — Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) |
| License Type | B - General Building Contractor |
| Experience Required | 4 years of full-time supervisory experience in the B (General Building) classification within the last 10 years. Must provide chronological project documentation and certified references. |
| Education Substitute | Accredited construction management degree may substitute for up to 2 years of experience (minimum 2 years hands-on required) |
| Exam Required | Yes — Hawaii Contractor Business & Law + B - General Building Trade Exam |
| Bond Required | Yes — $5,000 |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
| Processing Time | 8-12 weeks (applications must be submitted by first Tuesday of month prior to Board meeting) |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Exam Fee | $165 |
| Initial License Fee | $633 |
| Est. Initial Total | $848 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| RME initial license fee | $208 |
| RME renewal fee | $208 |
| Business & Law exam fee | $80 |
| Trade exam fee | $85 |
Renewal: $338 every 2 years (expires September 30 of even years)
Exam Requirements
Hawaii Contractor Business & Law
B - General Building Trade Exam
Exam provider: PSI
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.
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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 →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→Notes
- 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)
- Hawaii State Tax Clearance required (issued within 6 months)
Local requirements on top of your Hawaii license
The DCCA general contractor license is the credential that lets you work anywhere in Hawaii. On top of it, most Hawaii cities and counties require a local business license (a tax registration) to operate, and a few add their own contractor registration or permit. These are in addition to your state license, not a replacement — always confirm the rules with the city or county where the job is.
You're licensed in Hawaii as a general contractor — 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→
Register locally.
Most Hawaii cities and counties require a local business license (a tax registration) on top of the state credential, and a few add their own contractor registration or permit — confirm with the city or county where the job is.
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 general contractor 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→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 2 years (expires September 30 of even years) at $338.
Other licenses in Hawaii
- Electrician license in Hawaii
Statewide license required · $848 in initial government fees · DCCA
- Plumber license in Hawaii
Statewide license required · $848 in initial government fees · DCCA
- HVAC Technician license in Hawaii
Statewide license required · $848 in initial government fees · DCCA
- Roofing Contractor license in Hawaii
Statewide license required · $848 in initial government fees · DCCA
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a general contractor license in Hawaii?
Yes, Hawaii requires a statewide general contractor license through the Contractors License Board — Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
How much does a general contractor license cost in Hawaii?
The estimated initial cost is $848, including application, exam, and license fees. A $5,000 surety bond is also required.
What experience do I need for a general contractor license in Hawaii?
4 years of full-time supervisory experience in the B (General Building) classification within the last 10 years. Must provide chronological project documentation and certified references. Education substitute: Accredited construction management degree may substitute for up to 2 years of experience (minimum 2 years hands-on required)
What exams are required for a general contractor license in Hawaii?
You must pass the Hawaii Contractor Business & Law and B - General Building Trade Exam exams. A passing score of 75% is required. Exams are administered by PSI.
Do I need a bond for a general contractor license in Hawaii?
Yes, a $5,000 surety bond is required. 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 long does it take to get a general contractor license in Hawaii?
Processing time is typically 8-12 weeks (applications must be submitted by first Tuesday of month prior to Board meeting) after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for general contractors in Hawaii?
No, Hawaii does not currently require continuing education for general contractor license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for general contractors in Hawaii— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: DCCA