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Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs · checked 2026-10-21
Hawaii General contractor License Requirements
Statewide contractor license issued by the Contractors License Board in general engineering, general building and specialty classifications. Anyone offering residential, commercial or public works construction needs one, except handyman jobs of not more than $1,000 that need no building permit (electrical or plumbing work needing a permit is never exempt). Contractor license, general building (responsible managing employee): 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1RME · Contractor license, general building (responsible managing employee) 4 years
License levels in Hawaii
Hawaii has one credential on this path: the Contractor license, general building (responsible managing employee). The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RME Contractor license, general building (responsible managing employee) | 4 years | — | 4 years | Yes | Application $50; Exam, Part I $75; Exam, Part II $75; RME license (even-year start) $438 |
Contractor license, general building (responsible managing employee) (RME)
The responsible managing employee verifies four years of supervisory experience in the classification and passes Part I (Business and Law) and Part II (Trade) within six months of board approval. The licensee shows liability insurance and workers' compensation if it has employees; a bond only if the board requires one. Source: Hawaii PVL, Contractor FAQ.
Exam
1 of the 1 level listed here requires an exam: Contractor license, general building (responsible managing employee). The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees, insurance and bond
- Contractor license, general building (responsible managing employee): application $50, exam, part i $75, exam, part ii $75, rme license (even-year start) $438 ($638 together).
A contracting entity or sole proprietor license is $663 when issued from October 1 of an even year ($494 from October 1 of an odd year); the RME license is $438 or $334 on the same cycle. Renewal is $353 for an entity and $208 for an RME.
Insurance: Proof of liability insurance, and workers' compensation if the licensee has employees (Contractor FAQ).
When a license is needed: Handyman work of not more than $1,000 that needs no building permit is exempt; everything else needs a license. (Hawaii PVL, Contractor FAQ)
Reciprocity
The Hawaii sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Hawaii compares
Among the 8 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top general contractor credential, Hawaii ranks 6 of 8 from shortest (2 years) to longest (5 years). California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada set the same 4 years.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Florida · Pennsylvania · North Carolina · Michigan. All states side by side: General contractor license requirements by state.
Other trades in Hawaii
- Electrician: Supervising electrician: 9 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Master plumber: 7 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Hawaii trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · What the license fees add up to.
Questions
Who issues the general contractor license in Hawaii?
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL), Contractors License Board. Statewide contractor license issued by the Contractors License Board in general engineering, general building and specialty classifications. Anyone offering residential, commercial or public works construction needs one, except handyman jobs of not more than $1,000 that need no building permit (electrical or plumbing work needing a permit is never exempt).
How long does it take to qualify for the Contractor license, general building (responsible managing employee) in Hawaii?
4 years by this site's count. The responsible managing employee verifies four years of supervisory experience in the classification and passes Part I (Business and Law) and Part II (Trade) within six months of board approval. The licensee shows liability insurance and workers' compensation if it has employees; a bond only if the board requires one.
Does Hawaii have general contractor license reciprocity?
The Hawaii sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
What are the Hawaii general contractor license fees?
Contractor license, general building (responsible managing employee): application $50, exam, part i $75, exam, part ii $75, rme license (even-year start) $438.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL), Contractors License Board | 2026-10-21 |
| RME requirements | Hawaii PVL, Contractor FAQ | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | HRS chapter 444 (board FAQ) | 2026-10-21 |
This page summarises what the Hawaii source said on 2026-10-21. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.