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General Contractor
Total cost: $848
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 — all licenses expire September 30 of every even-numbered year; next renewal period October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2028
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Get the Hawaii General Contractor Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
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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 past 10 years immediately preceding application; 3 notarized experience certificates required
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.
Overall licensing difficulty: 12/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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General Contractor Licensing Exam
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
PSI
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
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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
Bodily injury: $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence; Property damage: $50,000 per occurrence
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 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedBiennial — all licenses expire September 30 of every even-numbered year; next renewal period October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2028
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
No reciprocity offered; all applicants must meet full Hawaii requirements including exams. NASCLA exams are not accepted.
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Hawaii with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
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General Contractor requirements in Hawaii verified against Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Contractors License Board, March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-22
General Contractor Schools in Hawaii
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.