How to check if a contractor is licensed in Hawaii
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
In Hawaii, the state keeps license or registration records for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors, and each has an official lookup or board listed below. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.
Which board covers which trade
| Trade | Who keeps the record | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) | Search general contractor licenses |
| Electrical | Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) | Search electrical licenses |
| Plumbing | Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) | Search plumbing licenses |
| HVAC | Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) | Search HVAC licenses |
| Roofing | Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) | Search roofing licenses |
Step by step
- Open the official Hawaii lookup run by DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division and search the contractor by name or number.
- Search the state Public License Search by license number or business or individual name; it covers contractors, electricians and plumbers. source The lookup reflects posted license records and is normally updated each business day. source The state's consumer office can confirm a contractor's license status, classifications and proof of insurance. source Search a contractor by name or company name on the state RICO Complaints History Search to see summary information about complaints filed against them. source
- Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (A General Engineering or B General Building or C Specialty). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above 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
- Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: No fixed bond amount; the board may impose a surety bond as a condition of licensure. source 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
If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint
Homeowner protections in Hawaii
- Any project over $1,500 in labor and material, or needing a building, electrical or plumbing permit, requires a licensed contractor. source
- The Contractors Recovery Fund pays at most $12,500 per contract. source
- The Contractors Recovery Fund pays at most $25,000 in total for claims against one contractor, pro-rated if several claims are filed. source
- The Recovery Fund only covers homeowners who hired a contractor that was currently and actively licensed when the contract was signed. source
- The Recovery Fund is a last resort: you need a Hawaii court judgment and must first try to collect from the contractor, any bond and insurance. source
- A home improvement contract must disclose whether the contractor is bonded and whether you can demand bonding on the work. source
- A home improvement contract must show the contractor's license number and classifications. source
- Electrical and plumbing contractors must use state-licensed electricians and plumbers for the actual electrical and plumbing work. source
Questions
- How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Hawaii?
- Search the contractor by name or license number on the official Hawaii lookup run by DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, then confirm the record is active and covers the type of work. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's lookup in the table on this page.
- What can I do if a contractor in Hawaii is not licensed?
- Report unlicensed contracting to the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) at 808-587-4272 or toll-free 1-844-808-3222, option 3. Check a contractor's complaint history with RICO's Complaints History Search, linked from the Contractors License Board page.
All Hawaii licensing rules by trade
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/DescriptionofContractorLicenseClassifications-1.pdf
- 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
- https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CLB-260123-CLB-CRF.pdf
- https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PVL_Form_Electrician_Plumber_License_Application_2026-06.pdf
- https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/electrician/
- https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP-FAQs_07-18.pdf
- https://web2.dcca.hawaii.gov/rico/#/search
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.