Hawaii Contractor License Requirements & Application Help
Hawaii licenses contractors statewide through the DCCA's Contractors License Board (CLB), part of the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. Any construction project valued over $1,500 (labor and materials combined) requires a license, under three core classifications: A (General Engineering), B (General Building), and C (Specialty).
Contractor Licensing Inc. helps you navigate Hawaii's licensing process — experience documentation, exam scheduling, bond, and insurance — so you can get approved faster and stay compliant.
Who Needs a License, and Who Qualifies
Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444, any project exceeding $1,500 in labor and materials — or any job requiring a building, electrical, or plumbing permit regardless of price — requires a CLB contractor license. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid Social Security Number, and disclose criminal history on both individual and contractor applications.
- Experience: 4 years of supervisory experience in the classification applied for
- Degree substitution: an accredited bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, or construction management can substitute for up to 3 of the 4 required years (HAR 16-77-32)
- Financials: a CPA-prepared financial statement is required as part of the application
Hawaii Construction License Classifications
A — General Engineering Contractor
Heavy civil and infrastructure work: roads, utilities, marine construction, treatment plants. Certain C specialties are automatically included under Board rules.
B — General Building Contractor
Structures requiring two or more unrelated trades. Certain C specialties are automatically included under Board rules.
C — Specialty Classifications
Dozens of individual trade subclasses fall under Class C, including:
Refer to the CLB's official License Classification Descriptions PDF for the complete list and detailed scope of each subclass.
Hawaii's Exam Process
All exams are administered by PSI Services LLC under contract to DCCA (since January 2023). Two parts must be passed:
- Hawaii Business and Law Exam — roughly 60 questions, 135 minutes, 75% passing score, ~$80 fee
- Trade Exam for your classification — question count varies by trade, 75% passing score, ~$85–100 fee
Hawaii does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for any classification — every applicant, regardless of out-of-state credentials, must pass Hawaii's own PSI-administered exams. Once the Board approves your application, you generally have 6 months to pass your exams before needing to reapply.
Financial Responsibility Requirements
- Surety bond: $5,000, which must be maintained continuously with evidence on file at the Board — failure to maintain it results in automatic forfeiture until cured. After at least 1 year of continuous coverage, licensees may request a bond waiver on a case-by-case basis.
- General liability insurance: at least $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, plus $50,000 per occurrence for property damage
- Workers' compensation: required if the contractor has employees, with a carrier statement that the Board will be notified of any policy cancellation
What It Costs and How Long It Takes
Fees
- Initial application: $50
- Exam fees (PSI): ~$80–100 per part
- Biennial license fee: ~$338–$633, prorated depending on where you fall in the 2-year renewal cycle when issued
Timeline
The Board meets monthly, typically the first Monday, with applications due by the first Tuesday of the prior month to be considered. Total time from application to licensure commonly runs 12–16 weeks if exams are passed on the first attempt. License renewal is biennial, due in even-numbered years.
Hawaii Contractor License Reciprocity
No Reciprocity Agreements
Hawaii's Contractors License Board does not participate in broad reciprocity agreements with any other state. Regardless of how long you've held a license elsewhere, applicants must qualify under Hawaii's own experience, exam, insurance, and bond requirements. This is confirmed directly by the CLB — always verify current policy on the official site before assuming any exception applies.
Hawaii Contractor License FAQ
Do I need a contractor license in Hawaii?
Yes. Any project exceeding $1,500 in labor and materials, or any job needing a building, electrical, or plumbing permit regardless of price, requires a CLB contractor license.
What are the Hawaii contractor license classifications?
Class A (General Engineering), Class B (General Building), and Class C (Specialty — dozens of individual trade subclasses like C-13 Electrical and C-37 Plumbing).
How much experience do I need?
4 years of supervisory experience in your classification. A relevant bachelor's degree can substitute for up to 3 of those 4 years.
Does Hawaii accept the NASCLA exam?
No. Hawaii requires its own PSI-administered Business and Law exam and Trade exam for every classification — NASCLA scores aren't accepted.
Does Hawaii have reciprocity with other states?
No. Hawaii does not offer contractor license reciprocity with any state — every applicant must meet Hawaii's requirements directly.
How much does a Hawaii contractor license cost?
$50 initial application fee, roughly $80–100 per exam part, and a biennial license fee of about $338–$633 depending on your renewal cycle timing.
What bond and insurance does Hawaii require?
A $5,000 surety bond maintained continuously, plus general liability insurance of at least $100,000/$300,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage. Workers' comp is required if you have employees.
Do I need a General Excise Tax (GET) license?
Yes — Hawaii requires a GET license from the Department of Taxation before your contractor license can be issued. This step is unique to Hawaii.
How long does the process take?
Commonly 12–16 weeks from application to licensure if you pass your exams on the first attempt, working around the Board's monthly meeting schedule.
Board Contact
King Kalakaua Building, 335 Merchant Street, Room 301, Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 586-3000 · Toll-free 1-844-808-DCCA (3222)
Hawaii Contractor License Bond
| Bond | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Contractor License Bond | $5,000 | Apply Now |
Hawaii licenses contractors entirely at the state level — there's no county or municipal bond layer added on top of the CLB requirement.
Ready to Get Your Hawaii Contractor License?
We handle classification selection, experience documentation, PSI exam scheduling, bond, insurance, and GET license coordination — start to finish.
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