Hawaii Contractor License Types
| License Type | Application Fee | Annual Renewal | Bond |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Engineering Contractor Defined by HRS § 444-7(b) as a contractor whose principal business is fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge — highways, bridges, dams, harbors, sewers, pipelines, airports, power plants, and similar infrastructure. Under HAR § 16-77-32(a), an 'A' license automatically carries 17 specialty classifications (including C-3 paving, C-17 excavating/grading/trenching, C-31a cement concrete, C-43 sewer/drain, and C-61 solar energy systems) without additional examination or fee. | $50 per application | Not uniformly required; the Board may impose a bond of not less than $5,000 (HRS § 444-16.5) | |
| General Building Contractor Defined by HRS § 444-7(c) as a contractor working on any structure for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, or property that requires more than two unrelated building trades. Under HAR § 16-77-32(c), a 'B' license automatically carries 10 specialty classifications including C-5 cabinet/millwork/carpentry remodeling and repairs, C-6 carpentry framing, C-12 drywall, C-25 institutional and commercial equipment, C-31a cement concrete, C-42a aluminum and other metal shingles, and C-42b wood shingles and shakes. | $50 per application | Not uniformly required; the Board may impose a bond of not less than $5,000 (HRS § 444-16.5) | |
| Electrical Contractor Specialty classification for installation, alteration, and repair of electrical wiring, devices, and equipment. Under HRS § 444-9.5, at least half of all electrical or plumbing workers on a project must be licensed under HRS chapter 448E. The C-13 scope covers power lines and conductors. | $50 per application | ||
| Plumbing Contractor Specialty classification for plumbing work — piping, fixtures, drains, gas lines. Plumbing work that requires a permit must be performed by a licensed plumber, and owner-builders may not perform plumbing work outside the C-37 scope. | $50 per application | ||
| Roofing Contractor Specialty classification for roof installation and repair. Hawaii further breaks roofing into sub-classifications including C-42a aluminum and other metal shingles, C-42b wood shingles and wood shakes, C-42c concrete and clay tile, C-42e urethane foam, and C-42g roof coatings. | $50 per application | ||
| Solar Energy Systems Contractor Specialty classification for installation of solar energy systems. Automatically held by 'A' general engineering licensees under HAR § 16-77-32(a)(17). | $50 per application |
Processing time: Typically 3-6 months. Applications are reviewed at a monthly Board meeting (deadline is the first Tuesday of the month preceding the Board meeting); after Board approval the applicant has up to 6 months to pass the two-part exam, then must submit licensing fees and insurance proof. HRS § 444-16 requires Board action within 120 days of a complete application. from application submission to license issuance.
Hawaii (HI) licenses contractors through the Contractors License Board (CLB) within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (DCCA-PVL). Under Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 444, anyone who performs residential, commercial, or public-works construction, alterations, or improvements must hold a license — the only general exemption is for projects whose aggregate contract price is $1,000 or less that do not require a building permit (HRS § 444-2(4)). Hawaii recognizes three license types: 'A' General Engineering Contractor, 'B' General Building Contractor, and 'C' Specialty Contractor (with dozens of trade sub-classifications). Applicants must document 4 years of supervisory experience, pass a Business & Law exam plus a trade exam, carry general-liability and workers' compensation insurance, and pay a $150 fee into the Contractors Recovery Fund — Hawaii's signature consumer-protection mechanism. Hawaii does NOT require a standing license surety bond for most contractors; the Recovery Fund (HRS § 444-26) takes the place of a uniform bond.
Step 1: Get the Contractor's Hawaii License Number
Hawaii contractors should readily provide their CLB license number. Every Hawaii contractor license begins with a letter indicating classification (A, B, or C) followed by a number. Under HRS § 444-9.2, it is a misdemeanor to advertise contracting services without stating a valid license number.
Step 2: Look Up the License on MyPVL
Use the DCCA-PVL public license search to confirm status, classification, and expiration. The search is free and shows whether the license is active, forfeited, revoked, or inactive, plus any disciplinary actions on record. All Hawaii contractor licenses expire September 30 of every even-numbered year, so an active license should show an expiration no earlier than 9/30 of the next even year.
Search Hawaii License (MyPVL) →
Step 3: Verify Classification Matches the Work
Hawaii is strict about scope of classification. Under HRS § 444-23(a), a licensee who contracts outside the scope of the licensee's classification is fined $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for the second, and up to $2,000 for each subsequent offense. Confirm the contractor's specific A, B, or C-code matches the trade you're hiring for — a C-33 painting contractor should not be framing, for example.
Step 4: Confirm Insurance
Hawaii contractors must carry general-liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers' compensation insurance. Under HRS § 444-17(16), failure to secure or maintain workers' compensation is grounds for license revocation. Ask to see current certificates of insurance.
- General liability insurance — required by CLB rule (HAR chapter 16-77)
- Workers' compensation — required if the contractor has any employees (HRS chapter 386)
- Surety bond — NOT uniformly required; the Board may impose a $5,000+ bond in specific cases (HRS § 444-16.5)
Step 5: Check Complaint History with RICO
The Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) investigates complaints against Hawaii contractors. Call (808) 587-4272 or visit cca.hawaii.gov/rico/ to see whether a contractor has open investigations or prior discipline before signing a contract.
Hawaii Contractor Insurance Requirements
| Insurance Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Liability | Required by the Contractors License Board under Hawaii Administrative Rules chapter 16-77. Contractors must maintain continuous coverage and notify the Board of any cancellation. Failure to maintain insurance is grounds for license forfeiture. |
| Workers' Compensation | Required under HRS chapter 386 for any contractor with employees. Sole proprietors with no employees may file a self-insured statement or claim exclusion. Failure to secure or maintain workers' comp is an enumerated ground for license revocation under HRS § 444-17(16). |
| Surety Bond | Hawaii does NOT impose a uniform license surety bond on contractors. Under HRS § 444-16.5, the Board may, in its discretion, require an individual licensee or applicant to post a bond of not less than $5,000 — typically only as a disciplinary condition or where the Board has concerns about financial responsibility. Consumer protection instead flows primarily through the Contractors Recovery Fund (HRS § 444-26). |
Hawaii Contractor Bond Requirements
Hawaii does not require a standing license surety bond for contractors. HRS § 444-16.5 gives the Contractors License Board discretion to require a bond of at least $5,000 from a specific licensee or applicant after considering the licensee's financial condition and experience, but there is no uniform bond requirement applied to all contractors at licensure. Consumer recourse is provided instead by the Contractors Recovery Fund under HRS § 444-26.
Hawaii Consumer Protections for Home Improvement
Hawaii law provides several important protections for homeowners hiring contractors:
- The Contractors Recovery Fund (HRS § 444-26) allows homeowners to recover up to $12,500 per contract for damages caused by a licensed contractor's violation of HRS chapter 444, after obtaining a court judgment and exhausting other remedies. Total lifetime exposure of the Fund per contractor is capped at $25,000 (HRS § 444-34).
- Written-contract disclosure requirements (HRS § 444-25.5) apply to contracts with homeowners and require disclosure of contractor license information, cancellation rights, and the existence of the Recovery Fund.
- Unfair or deceptive acts by contractors trigger treble damages under HRS § 480-13 (the state's consumer-protection statute), on top of HRS § 444 penalties.
- License forfeiture is automatic upon payment from the Recovery Fund on the contractor's behalf (HRS § 444-28(e)) — the contractor cannot relicense until the Fund is repaid in full with 10% annual interest, and bankruptcy does not discharge the obligation.
- Hawaii contractor licenses expire uniformly on September 30 of every even-numbered year; forfeited licenses must be restored within 60 days or the contractor must file a new application.
- Advertising without a license number is a misdemeanor under HRS § 444-9.2.
What Happens if You Hire an Unlicensed Contractor?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Hawaii puts you at risk:
- Under HRS § 444-22, an unlicensed contractor cannot sue to recover payment for work done or materials furnished — the contract is effectively unenforceable by the contractor
- Under HRS § 444-23(c), unlicensed contracting is fined $2,500 or 40% of the contract price (whichever is greater) for the first offense, rising to $5,000 or 40% for subsequent offenses
- Under HRS § 444-23.5, tools, materials, and other property used in unlicensed contracting are subject to forfeiture to the State
- Under HRS § 480-13, unfair or deceptive contracting practices expose the violator to treble damages and attorney's fees on top of HRS 444 penalties
- Homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors cannot recover from the Contractors Recovery Fund — the Fund compensates only those injured by a licensed contractor
- Owner-builders who sell or lease a structure within one year of completion face fines of $5,000 or 40% of appraised value for the first offense, rising to $10,000 or 50% for subsequent offenses (HRS § 444-23(e))
How to Report an Unlicensed Contractor in Hawaii
Unlicensed contracting in Hawaii should be reported to the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO). RICO investigates and prosecutes violations of HRS chapter 444, including unlicensed activity, scope violations, and deceptive advertising. Unlicensed contracting carries fines up to $5,000 or 40% of the contract price per offense and property forfeiture.
- Online: https://cca.hawaii.gov/rico/file/
- Phone: (808) 587-4272 or 1-844-808-3222
- Mail: Regulated Industries Complaints Office, 235 S. Beretania Street, 9th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813
How to File a Complaint Against a Registered Contractor in Hawaii
Complaints against Hawaii contractors are investigated by the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) within DCCA. RICO can mediate disputes, refer cases to the Contractors License Board for discipline, and bring enforcement actions. For money damages beyond discipline, homeowners may pursue a court judgment and then seek payment from the Contractors Recovery Fund.
You can file a complaint by:
- Online: cca.hawaii.gov/rico/file/
- Phone: (808) 587-4272 (Oahu) or 1-844-808-3222
- Mail: Regulated Industries Complaints Office, 235 S. Beretania Street, 9th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813
Before proceeding against the Contractors Recovery Fund, an injured person must first proceed against any existing bond covering the licensed contractor (HRS § 444-28(b)).
Hawaii Contractor Bond Schedule
Hawaii's approach to contractor financial responsibility differs from most mainland states: instead of a blanket license bond, the state relies on the Contractors Recovery Fund as the primary consumer-protection backstop, with discretionary bonds available to the Board for specific situations.
| License Type | Bond Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Discretionary License Bond | Minimum $5,000 | HRS § 444-16.5 authorizes the Board to require a bond of at least $5,000 from an individual licensee or applicant, taking the licensee's financial condition and experience into account. Not uniformly imposed. |
| Performance/Payment Bond for Guaranteed Work | Set by the Board | Under HRS § 444-25.6, contractors who advertise or contract with a guarantee of performance may be required to post a bond to back that guarantee; violations are deemed an unfair and deceptive act or practice. |
What Makes Hawaii Contractor Licensing Unique
$1,000 Handyperson Threshold — With a Permit Exception
Hawaii's licensing exemption under HRS § 444-2(4) applies only when the aggregate contract price — labor, materials, taxes, and everything else — is $1,000 or less AND no building permit is required. If a permit is required, a license is required no matter how small the project. Splitting a larger project into under-$1,000 contracts to avoid licensing is expressly prohibited.
Contractors Recovery Fund Instead of a Uniform Bond
Unlike California's $25,000 mandatory license bond, Hawaii funds consumer protection through a Contractors Recovery Fund. Every new applicant pays $150 into the Fund (HRS § 444-26(c)). Homeowners injured by a licensed contractor's HRS 444 violation may recover up to $12,500 per contract after obtaining a court judgment — capped at $25,000 total per contractor (HRS § 444-34).
4 Years Supervisory Experience Required
Under HAR § 16-77-18, applicants must verify at least 4 years of supervisory experience (as a journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor) in the specific classification, earned within the 10 years preceding the application. Experience must be verified by notarized certificates from prior employers or project owners plus a project list.
General Engineering and General Building Licenses Carry Free Specialty Classifications
An 'A' general engineering license automatically carries 17 C-specialty classifications (including paving, excavating, sewer/drain, swimming pool, welding, and solar energy systems) without additional exam or fee. A 'B' general building license carries 10 C-specialties (including cabinet/millwork, carpentry framing, drywall, and cement concrete). See HAR § 16-77-32.
Biennial Renewal on September 30
All Hawaii contractor licenses — regardless of when issued — expire on September 30 of every even-numbered year. Renewal requires a current state tax clearance, proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, and the renewal fee ($353 for contracting entities and sole proprietors; $208 for responsible managing employees).
No Reciprocity with Other States
Hawaii has no reciprocity agreements. Licensed contractors from any other state must meet all Hawaii requirements — experience verification, both exam parts, insurance, and Recovery Fund deposit — to be licensed to work in Hawaii.
Hawaii Contractor License Fees
Frequently Asked Questions: Hawaii Contractor Licensing
How do I check a contractor's license in Hawaii?
Use the DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing public search at mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov/public-license-search/. Enter the contractor's name or license number to see classification, status, expiration date, and disciplinary history. You can also call PVL at 1-844-808-3222 (option 1) or (808) 587-3295 to verify a license by phone.
What is the Hawaii Contractors License Board?
The Contractors License Board (CLB) is a 13-member board within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (DCCA-PVL). It administers HRS chapter 444, sets licensing standards, approves applications, orders discipline, and administers the Contractors Recovery Fund.
What's the minimum project amount that requires a licensed contractor in Hawaii?
Under HRS § 444-2(4), any project whose aggregate contract price is more than $1,000 — or any project of any size that requires a building permit — must be performed by a licensed contractor. The $1,000 exemption is narrow: it excludes electrical and plumbing work that requires a permit, and it cannot be used by splitting larger projects into smaller contracts.
Does Hawaii require contractors to have a surety bond?
No. Unlike California or many other states, Hawaii does not impose a uniform license surety bond on contractors. Under HRS § 444-16.5, the Contractors License Board may require an individual licensee or applicant to post a bond of at least $5,000 in specific cases — usually as a disciplinary condition or where the Board has concerns about financial responsibility — but most Hawaii contractors carry no license bond. Consumer protection runs primarily through the Contractors Recovery Fund under HRS § 444-26.
What is the Hawaii Contractors Recovery Fund?
The Contractors Recovery Fund (HRS § 444-26) is a state-managed fund that compensates homeowners injured by a licensed contractor's violation of HRS chapter 444. Homeowners can recover up to $12,500 per contract after obtaining a court judgment and exhausting other collection remedies. The Fund's total exposure for any single contractor is capped at $25,000 (HRS § 444-34). Every new applicant pays $150 into the Fund at licensure.
What are the Hawaii contractor license classifications?
Hawaii uses three license types under HRS § 444-7: 'A' General Engineering Contractor (fixed works — highways, bridges, dams, pipelines), 'B' General Building Contractor (structures requiring more than two unrelated trades), and 'C' Specialty Contractor, which is broken into dozens of trade-specific sub-classifications (C-1 through C-62+) covering electrical (C-13), plumbing (C-37), roofing (C-42), painting (C-33), solar (C-61), and many others.
How long does it take to get a Hawaii contractor license?
Typically 3 to 6 months. Applications must be filed by the first Tuesday of the month preceding the Board meeting at which they will be reviewed. After approval, the applicant has up to 6 months to pass the two-part exam (Business & Law + Trade). HRS § 444-16 requires Board action within 120 days of a complete application. After passing, the applicant submits license fees, insurance proof, and any required bond.
How much does a Hawaii contractor license cost?
Application fee is $50. Exams are $75 per part (two parts = $150). Initial license fee is $494-$663 for contracting entities and sole proprietors, or $334-$438 for Responsible Managing Employees, depending on when in the biennium the license is issued. Every new applicant also pays $150 into the Contractors Recovery Fund. Biennial renewal is $353 for entities/sole proprietors and $208 for RMEs.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor in Hawaii?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor is risky in Hawaii. Under HRS § 444-22, an unlicensed contractor cannot sue to collect payment for work done or materials furnished — but you also lose access to the Contractors Recovery Fund, which only covers damages caused by licensed contractors. Unlicensed contracting is penalized under HRS § 444-23(c): $2,500 or 40% of the contract price for the first offense, $3,500 or 40% for the second, and $5,000 or 40% for any subsequent offense. Tools and materials used in unlicensed activity are subject to forfeiture under HRS § 444-23.5.
How do I file a complaint against a Hawaii contractor?
File with the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) at cca.hawaii.gov/rico/file/, by phone at (808) 587-4272 or 1-844-808-3222, or by mail at 235 S. Beretania Street, 9th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. RICO investigates and can refer cases to the CLB for discipline. For monetary damages, you generally need to obtain a court judgment first; the Contractors Recovery Fund can then pay up to $12,500 per contract.
Does Hawaii have contractor license reciprocity with other states?
No. Hawaii has no reciprocity agreements. A licensed contractor from any other state must independently meet Hawaii's experience, examination, insurance, and Recovery Fund requirements before contracting in Hawaii.
Sources
Facts on this page were verified against the following primary sources on April 20, 2026. Licensing laws, fees, and bond amounts change — always confirm with the official board before acting.
- DCCA-PVL — Contractors License Board (home) — Primary regulator for Hawaii contractor licensing under HRS chapter 444. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- MyPVL — Public License Search — Official Hawaii DCCA lookup for contractor and other PVL licenses. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- HRS Chapter 444 — Contractors (full statute PDF) — Authoritative text of HRS 444 including §444-2 exemptions, §444-9 license required, §444-16.5 bond, §444-17 discipline, §444-23 penalties, §444-25.5 disclosure, §444-26 Recovery Fund, §444-34 maximum liability. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Description of Contractor License Classifications (DCCA) — Official CLB list of all A, B, and C-specialty classifications with trade scopes. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Contractor FAQ (DCCA-PVL) — Official CLB FAQ — $1,000 handyperson exemption, fees, exam structure, renewal. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- HAR Chapter 16-77 — Contractors License Board Rules — Administrative rules including HAR 16-77-18 (experience), 16-77-32 (automatic specialty classifications), 16-77-71 (Hawaii-resident RME). (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- DCCA-PVL — Contact Information — PVL contact: 1-844-808-DCCA (3222), pvl@dcca.hawaii.gov, 335 Merchant Street, Room 301, Honolulu HI 96813. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444 (Contractors) — Hawaii State Legislature portal to Chapter 444 (Contractors), located in Volume 10 (Chapters 436-474) of the current Hawaii Revised Statutes. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- DCCA RICO — Regulated Industries Complaints Office — Complaint intake and investigation for contractor and other PVL complaints. Online filing at cca.hawaii.gov/rico/file/. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- DCCA RICO — File a Complaint — Online complaint filing portal for Hawaii contractor and regulated-industry complaints. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- DCCA-PVL — Contractors License Board membership and meetings — Official Contractors License Board composition (13 members) and meeting information. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Other States
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