Hawaii Contractor License Requirements & Application Help | Contractor Licensing Inc

Get step-by-step help with the Hawaii contractor licensing process—classifications, experience, insurance, and bonds. Contractor Licensing Inc handles filings, and compliance.

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In Hawaii, contractors are licensed through the DCCA’s Contractors License Board (CLB). Applicants for A (General Engineering), B (General Building), and C (Specialty) classifications must meet experience requirements, pass exams, carry insurance, and maintain any surety bond the Board requires.

Contractor Licensing Inc. helps you navigate Hawaii’s licensing process so you can get approved faster and stay compliant.

Official resource: Hawaii DCCA – Contractors License Board

Hawaii Construction License Categories:

Hawaii Contractor Licensing (Contractors License Board)

Hawaii licenses contractors through the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs’ Contractors License Board (CLB). Core license types are “A” General Engineering, “B” General Building, and “C” Specialty. See the official License Classification Descriptions for detailed scopes.

General License Types

“A” – General Engineering Contractor

Heavy civil and infrastructure (e.g., roads, utilities, marine, treatment plants). Certain C specialties are held automatically under rules.

“B” – General Building Contractor

Structures requiring 2+ unrelated trades; specific C specialties are automatically included per rules.

Specialty (“C”) Classifications

Examples of “C” subclasses

C-1 Acoustical & insulation • C-4 Boiler/Steam • C-6 Carpentry framing • C-12 Drywall • C-13 Electrical • C-20 Fire protection • C-22 Glazing & tinting • C-31 Masonry • C-37 Plumbing • C-40 Refrigeration • C-42 Roofing • C-44 Sheet metal • C-49 Swimming pool • C-51 Tile • C-52 Ventilating & A/C • C-60/61 Solar (and many more). Refer to the official PDF for the full list and scope.

Bond Requirements

The Board may require a surety bond. Licensees must maintain any bond imposed and keep evidence on file with the Board. Failure to maintain a required bond results in automatic forfeiture until cured.
After at least one year of coverage, a licensee may request a bond waiver (case-by-case).
Bond amounts are set by the Board. (Industry guidance commonly references a minimum of $5,000, but the Board may require more depending on circumstances.)

Official Resources

RECIPROCAL STATES

Hawaii Contractor License Reciprocity

Hawaii’s Contractors License Board does not participate in broad reciprocity agreements for contractor licenses. Applicants must qualify under Hawaii’s rules and, where required, pass the Hawaii examination(s).

Always verify directly with the CLB; third-party summaries consistently note that Hawaii does not offer reciprocity for contractor licenses.

Check status & requirements: Hawaii CLB – Official Site