Hawaii

Hawaii requires general engineering, general building and specialty contractors to be licensed.

To find out if a contractor is licensed in Hawaii, click http://hbe.ehawaii.gov/cogs/search.html or http://www.ehawaii.gov/dcca/pvllist/html// call the Consumer Resource Center at (808) 587-3295.

• Electrician's Licenses
    
• Plumber's Licenses
    
• Department of Transportation (DOT)

• Out-of-State Corporations

To be licensed in Hawaii you need:

• proof of workers' compensation insurance
• bodily injury liability – $100,00 each person, $300,000 each occurrence
• property damage liability – $50,000 each occurrence
• place of business in Hawaii – post office box not accepted
• pass an exam on business, law, and a trade

To apply for a license, contact:

Contractors License Board Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional & Vocational Licensing 335 Merchant Street P.O. Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 586-3000 http://www.state.hi.us/dcca

The Department issues licenses in these specialty trades:

To qualify for the exam the Department requires for licensing, you need four years of full-time supervisory work experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor within the last ten years. You can use Board-approved technical or business administration training for up to one year of work experience.

The exam is given by Experior. You can contact them at:

Experior 354 Uluniu Street, Suite 308 Kailua, HI 96734 (808) 261-8182 http://www.experioronline.com

The exam has two parts -- part one is the business and law and part two concerns the specific trade you want to be licensed in. The exam is closed book. The business and law part of the exam covers:

Part two trade specific exams may contain questions on reading and interpreting construction codes and regulations, knowledge of building codes, trade materials, tools, equipment and methods.

Experior offers these preparation materials:

Contractor's license fees: It will cost $50 to file an application. Each part of the exam costs $65. The license fees are as follows:

Contracting entity- $545 if licensed between October 1st of the even-numbered year and September 30th of the odd numbered year, $415 if licensed between October 1st of the odd-numbered year and September 30th of the even-numbered year.

RME (Responsible Managing Employee)- $335 if licensed between October 1st of the even-numbered year and September 30th of the odd numbered year, $255 if licensed between October 1st of the odd-numbered year and September 30th of the even-numbered year.

All licenses expire on September 30th of the even-numbered year.

If your business is a corporation, you must be registered with the Department. To apply for registration, contact:

Business Registration Division Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs State of Hawaii P.O. Box 40 Honolulu, HI 96810 http://www.state.hi.us/dcca/breg-seu

Electrician's Licenses

You will need to apply for eligibility to take the exam. For an application, contact:

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Board of Electricians & Plumbers Division of Professional and Vocational Licensing P.O. Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801 (808) 586-3000 http://www.state.hi.us/dcca

Toll free voice access numbers for neighbor islands:

Electrician's license categories and requirements are listed below:

The board will determine your qualification based on the filed application. When your application is approved, the Board will send you a notice of approval with an examination registration form. Send the registration form along with the $65 fee per each examination to:

Experior 354 Uluniu Street, Suite 308 Kailua, HI 96734 (808) 261-8182 http://www.experioronline.com

The Electrician's exam is based on the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC can be purchased from the City and County Purchasing Division. (808) 523-4780.

Electrician's license fees: There is a $40 application fee. The exams given by Experior are $65 each. License fees are as follows:

Plumber's Licenses

You will need to apply for eligibility to take the exam. For an application, contact:

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Professional and Vocational Licensing P.O. Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801 (808) 586-2705 http://www.state.hi.us/dcca

Plumber's license categories are listed below:

The board will determine your qualification based on the filed application. When your application is approved, the Board will send you a notice of approval with an examination registration form. Send the registration form along with the $65 fee per each examination to:

Experior 354 Uluniu Street, Suite 308 Kailua, HI 96734 (808) 261-8182 http://www.experioronline.com

The Plumber's exam is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). The UPC can be purchased from the City and County Purchasing Division. (808) 523-4780.

Plumber's license fees: There is a $40 application fee. The exams given by Experior are $65 each. License fees are as follows:

Department of Transportation (DOT)

To work on state projects in Hawaii you need to be registered to do business in Hawaii and have an appropriate contractor's license. You won't need these to bid a job, but you will need them to land the contract. You may also need to fill out a prequalification form from the state Department of Transportation. Usually they require this the first time you bid as a prime contractor on a department project. They'll ask you about your work experience, financial condition, and what equipment you own.

To get a Standard Qualification Questionnaire for Prospective Bidders on Public Work Contracts, contact:

Department of Transportation 869 Punchbowl Street Honolulu, HI 96813 http://www.state.hi.us/dot/

This prequalification is good for at least one year.

Out-of-State Corporations

Out-of-state corporations must get a Certificate of Authority to do business in Hawaii. To apply for this certificate, contact:

Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs Business Registration Division P.O. Box 40 Honolulu, HI 96810 (808) 586-2727 Fax: (808) 586 2733 http://www.state.hi.us/dcca/breg-seu

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