Hawaii contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

General Engineering Contractor (A)

Contractors whose principal business is fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge, such as highways, bridges, sewers, pipelines and earthwork.

• When it applies: Aggregate contract price for labor and materials more than $1,500, or any project that requires a building permit
• Good to know: Automatically includes certain specialty classes, such as C-17 excavating, grading and trenching.

General Building Contractor (B)

Contractors whose principal business is building structures for shelter or enclosure that require more than two unrelated building trades. This is the usual license for whole-house and multi-trade remodeling.

• When it applies: Aggregate contract price for labor and materials more than $1,500, or any project that requires a building permit
• Good to know: Automatically includes specialty classes such as C-5 cabinet, millwork and carpentry remodeling, C-6 carpentry framing and C-12 drywall.

Specialty Contractor (C)

Contractors who do work requiring special skill in one trade.

• When it applies: Aggregate contract price for labor and materials more than $1,500, or any project that requires a building permit
• Good to know: Remodeling-related classes include C-5 cabinet, millwork and carpentry remodeling and repairs; C-5b siding application; C-7 carpet laying; C-12 drywall; C-21 flooring; C-33 painting and decorating; C-42 roofing (with sub-classes C-42a, b, c, e, g).

Responsible Managing Employee (RME)

The qualifying individual for a licensed entity. An entity (corporation, LLC, etc.) must have a licensed RME.

• Good to know: The principal RME must reside in Hawaii while the license is in effect or while a project is under construction (HAR 16-77-71, per the board FAQ).

What you need to qualify

• Exams: After board approval, the qualifying individual must pass the exam within six months. Most classifications have two parts: Part I (Business and Law) and Part II (Trade).
• Experience: Sole proprietors and RMEs must verify 4 years of supervisory experience in the classification applied for.
• Insurance: Liability and property damage insurance: bodily injury $100,000 each person / $300,000 each occurrence; property damage $50,000 each occurrence. Workers' compensation is required if there are employees (limited exceptions for certain single-member entities).
• Bond: A bond is required only if the board requires one.
• Financial: Entities submit a current financial statement (no more than one year old) that is compiled, reviewed or audited, with an independent accountant's report from a licensed or certified public accountant. No minimum net worth amount is stated. Credit reports are required for each officer, partner, manager or member.
• Business registration: Entities must register with the DCCA Business Registration Division (BREG) and submit a filed-stamped copy (if registered under one year) or a Certificate of Good Standing (if registered more than one year).
• Also required: A Hawaii State Tax Clearance issued within the last 6 months is required for entities registered in Hawaii more than one year, and at each renewal for active entities and sole proprietors.

Fees, renewal and continuing education

• Fees: Application fee $50 per application. Exam fee $75 per part. Initial license fee for an entity or sole proprietor is $663 (if licensed October 1 of an even year) or $494 (if licensed October 1 of an odd year); RME $438 or $334 for the same periods. On-time renewal for the October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2028 period: $338 for an active entity or sole proprietor, $208 for an active RME, $160 for any inactive license.
• Renewal: Every two years. Licenses expire September 30 of even-numbered years. A forfeited license can be restored within 60 days after expiration with a late fee; after 60 days the license is terminated and a new application is required.

Contracts and homeowner protections

For home construction or improvement, a licensed contractor must give the homeowner a written contract signed by both parties and fully executed before work begins (HRS 444-25.5). Before or at signing, the contractor must explain verbally the lien rights of everyone working on the job and the homeowner's option to require a bond, and the contract must include notice of the contractor's right to resolve alleged defects before litigation (HRS 672E-11). Violations are an unfair or deceptive practice under HRS chapter 480. The Contractors Recovery Fund can pay homeowners who hired a licensed contractor up to $12,500 per contract and $25,000 per contractor, after a court judgment.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

Individual electricians and plumbers are licensed by the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (DCCA). Electrical and plumbing contracting firms hold specialty contractor classifications from the Contractors License Board and must employ licensed electricians and plumbers. The handyman exemption does not cover electrical or plumbing work that needs a permit.

City and county rules

Contractor licensing is statewide. Owner-builders register with their county building department. No separate county contractor license was confirmed.

Working without a license

Under HRS 444-23, contracting without a license (a violation of HRS 444-9) carries a fine of $2,500 or 40% of the total contract price, whichever is greater, for a first offense; $3,500 or 40% for a second offense; and $5,000 or 40% for later offenses. Tools and property used in the violation can be forfeited. A licensee working outside their classification is fined $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second. Homeowners who hire an unlicensed contractor may be barred from the recovery fund.

What to confirm with the state

We couldn't confirm these on an official page when we checked. Ask the licensing office before you rely on them:

• Continuing education: no CE requirement for contractors was found on official pages.
• The board FAQ PDF still states the handyman exemption as $1,000 including taxes; the statute (HRS 444-2) and the board's Hire a Licensed Contractor page state $1,500, which is used here.
• Initial license fees ($663/$494 and RME $438/$334) and the $75 exam fee come from the board FAQ PDF, which appears partly outdated (its renewal fee of $353 differs from the $338 on the board page). Confirm current initial fees with the board.
• Whether HVAC/mechanical work requires a separate individual license (no official page found addressing it).
• Criminal penalties for unlicensed contracting (only civil fines were confirmed).

Sources

1. Contractors License Board - DCCA Hawaii
2. Hire a Licensed Contractor - DCCA Hawaii
3. Contractor FAQ (PDF) - DCCA Hawaii
4. Requirements and Application for Contractor - Entity (PDF)
5. Description of Contractor License Classifications (PDF)
6. Contractors Recovery Fund information (PDF)
7. Board of Electricians and Plumbers - DCCA Hawaii
8. HRS 444-2 Exemptions
9. HRS 444-9 Licenses required
10. HRS 444-23 Fines
11. HRS 444-25.5 Disclosure; contracts