How to get a general contractor license in Hawaii
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) licenses general contractors in Hawaii. A contractor license is required for any project over $1,500 in labor and material, or any project that needs a building, electrical or plumbing permit.
Who licenses general contractor work in Hawaii
| Credential | State license |
|---|---|
| Board | Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) official statement |
| Official lookup | Search general contractor licenses |
| When a license is needed | A contractor license is required for any project over $1,500 in labor and material, or any project that needs a building, electrical or plumbing permit. source |
| License types | A General Engineering, B General Building, C Specialty |
How to get licensed
- Apply to DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division as an A General Engineering or B General Building or C Specialty.
- Written exam required in two parts, Part I business and law and Part II trade knowledge for the classification, given by Prometric. source
- Experience: at least 4 years of supervisory experience in the classification within the past 10 year. source
- Post a no fixed bond amount; the board may impose a surety bond as a condition of licensure. source
- Carry liability insurance of at least $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 per occurrence and $50,000 property damage per occurrence, plus workers' compensation (a sole proprietor with no employees may file a board form instead). source
- Pay the application fee, non-refundable, per application: $50. source
- Licenses expire and renew by September 30 of every even-numbered year. source
General contractor requirements in Hawaii
| Exam | Written exam required in two parts, Part I business and law and Part II trade knowledge for the classification, given by Prometric. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | At least 4 years of supervisory experience in the classification within the past 10 year. source |
| Bond | No fixed bond amount; the board may impose a surety bond as a condition of licensure. source |
| Insurance | Liability insurance of at least $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 per occurrence and $50,000 property damage per occurrence, plus workers' compensation (a sole proprietor with no employees may file a board form instead). source |
| Renewal | Licenses expire and renew by September 30 of every even-numbered year. source |
| Reciprocity | No reciprocity provision found; applicants licensed in another state still submit at least 3 experience certificates and a project list. |
| Fees |
|
Hiring a general contractor?
See every official lookup in Hawaii, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a general contractor license in Hawaii?
- Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) licenses general contractors in Hawaii. A contractor license is required for any project over $1,500 in labor and material, or any project that needs a building, electrical or plumbing permit.
- How do I check a general contractor license in Hawaii?
- The Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) keeps the record for general contractors in Hawaii. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does a general contractor license cost in Hawaii?
- $50 (Application fee, non-refundable, per application). $663 (License fee for an entity or sole proprietor licensed between October 1 of an even-numbered year and September 30 of an odd-numbered year (FAQ dated 2018; matches the sum of the fee lines on the October 2025 application)). $494 (License fee for an entity or sole proprietor licensed between October 1 of an odd-numbered year and September 30 of an even-numbered year (FAQ dated 2018)). $75 (Exam fee per part, paid to the testing vendor; most classifications take two parts (FAQ dated 2018)). $338 (Renewal fee, entity or sole proprietor, active status, for the October 2026 to September 2028 period). $208 (Renewal fee, responsible managing employee (RME), active statu). $160 (Renewal fee, any contractor license, inactive statu).
- How much experience do you need for a general contractor license in Hawaii?
- At least 4 years of supervisory experience in the classification within the past 10 year.
- How often does a general contractor license renew in Hawaii?
- Licenses expire and renew by September 30 of every even-numbered year.
Other trades in Hawaii
- Electrical license in Hawaii
- Plumbing license in Hawaii
- HVAC license in Hawaii
- Roofing license in Hawaii
- All Hawaii trades
General contractor license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/contractor/
- https://mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov/public-license-search/
- https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/har_77-c2.pdf
- https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/hire-a-licensed-contractor/
- https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Require-App-for-Contractor-Sole-Proprietor_10.25.pdf
- https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Contractor_FAQ-18.pdf
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.