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How to become a licensed general contractor in Hawaii. State-level licensing required. Experience: 4 years. Total initial fees: $848. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Governing Authority
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Contractors License Board
Official website →Yes
License Required?
4 years
Experience Required
No
Bonding Required?
$848
Total Initial Fees
Biennial — expires September 30 of even-numbered years.
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
Residential contractor license for Hawaii. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,500
Additional Requirements
Description
Commercial contractor license for Hawaii. Covers construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,500
Additional Requirements
Description
General contractor license/registration for Hawaii. Covers a broad range of construction activities.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,500
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Hawaii. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. License types: A (General Engineering), B (General Building), C (Specialty). B license automatically includes C-5 (Cabinetry, millwork, carpentry) and other specialty categories.
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified4
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
4 years supervisory experience within the last 10 years. Must provide 3 notarized experience certificates.
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
Trade-specific examination covering construction practices, codes, and safety standards
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Not Required
$5,000
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
GL bodily injury: $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence. GL property damage: $50,000 per occurrence. Insurance lapse = immediate license forfeiture.
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Hawaii requires workers' compensation insurance for any employer with employees. Coverage must be from a carrier authorized in Hawaii.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $50 |
Exam Fee $80 (Business and Law) + $85 (B-General Building trade exam). Must pass both within 6 months of Board approval or must reapply with new fees. | $165 |
License Fee Full biennial cycle (Oct even yr–Sep odd yr). Prorated: $494 for other period. RME fees: $438 full cycle / $334 other period. | $633 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal fee for entity/sole proprietor (full cycle). Prorated by period. | $633 |
Total Initial Fees Full cycle (Oct even yr–Sep odd yr): $50 application + $165 exams + $633 license = $848. Short cycle: ~$709 with $494 prorated license fee. | $848 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedBiennial — expires September 30 of even-numbered years.
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$633
Biennial — prorated by cycle period.
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Exam required
Transfer Details
Hawaii does not offer reciprocity. Out-of-state contractors must meet all Hawaii licensing requirements including examinations.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Hawaii requires state-level contractor licensing with strict requirements: no reciprocity with any state, NASCLA not accepted, insurance lapse means immediate license forfeiture, must have Hawaii business address (no P.O. Box), and Hawaii Tax Clearance required. License types: A (General Engineering), B (General Building), C (Specialty).
Hawaii requires a state contractor license for any project over $1,500. Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Contractors License Board oversees licensing.
License categories include: A (General Engineering), B (General Building), C (Specialty).
Workers' compensation insurance is required in Hawaii for 1 or more employees.
A surety bond of $5,000 is required for contractor licensing.
There is no interstate compact for general contractors.
NASCLA exams are NOT accepted in Hawaii.
Application deadline: first Tuesday of month prior to Board meeting (Board meets first Monday of each month).
Hawaii Tax Clearance with original Dept of Taxation stamp required.
Must have Hawaii business address (P.O. Box not accepted).
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 45 days after completion
Hawaii construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 45 days after completion.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Hawaii.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#36 of 51
Salary
#3 of 51
Cost
#13 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$82,880
25th percentile
Median
$101,780
+29% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$120,710
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,940 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+22% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$101,780
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$83,200
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$101,780
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–230 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Hawaii Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Hawaii Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Hawaii requires state-level contractor licensing. 4 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Contractors License Board.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.