Plumber License Requirements in Hawaii
| Licensing Authority | Contractors License Board — Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) |
| License Type | C-37 Plumbing Contractor |
| Experience Required | 4 years of full-time hands-on plumbing experience within the last 10 years. Must provide chronological project documentation and certified references. |
| Education Substitute | Accredited plumbing or mechanical engineering degree may substitute for up to 2 years of experience |
| Exam Required | Yes — Hawaii Contractor Business & Law + C-37 Plumbing 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 |
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 |
Renewal: $338 every 2 years (expires September 30 of even years)
Exam Requirements
Hawaii Contractor Business & Law
C-37 Plumbing 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 · SponsoredPlumber's Exam Secrets Study GuideCovers plumbing code, systems, and installation for the journeyman and master plumber exams — organized topic reviews plus practice questions for a first-try pass.See the study guide →
Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency plumber-exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling code references and terms 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
- CPA-prepared financial statement required with application
- Clean credit report covering previous 5 years required
You're licensed in Hawaii as a plumber — 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 C-37 Plumbing 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 determined case-by-case by the Board, from $5,000 to $300,000. 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 / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury, $50,000 property damage. Workers' compensation is required once you hire employees. 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 plumber 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
- General Contractor license in Hawaii
Statewide license required · $848 in initial government fees · DCCA
- Electrician 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 plumber license in Hawaii?
Yes, Hawaii requires a statewide plumber license through the Contractors License Board — Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
How much does a plumber 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 plumber license in Hawaii?
4 years of full-time hands-on plumbing experience within the last 10 years. Must provide chronological project documentation and certified references. Education substitute: Accredited plumbing or mechanical engineering degree may substitute for up to 2 years of experience
What exams are required for a plumber license in Hawaii?
You must pass the Hawaii Contractor Business & Law and C-37 Plumbing Trade Exam exams. A passing score of 75% is required. Exams are administered by PSI.
Do I need a bond for a plumber license in Hawaii?
Yes, a $5,000 surety bond is required. Bond amount determined case-by-case by the Board, from $5,000 to $300,000.
How long does it take to get a plumber license in Hawaii?
Processing time is typically 8-12 weeks after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for plumbers in Hawaii?
No, Hawaii does not currently require continuing education for plumber license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for plumbers in Hawaii— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: DCCA