Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs · checked 2026-10-21
Hawaii Plumber License Requirements
Statewide journey worker and master plumber licenses issued by the Board of Electricians and Plumbers under HRS chapter 448E. Master plumber: 7 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1PJ · Journey worker plumber 5 years
- 2PM · Master plumber 7 years
License levels in Hawaii
The Hawaii path has 2 steps on this page: Journey worker plumber and Master plumber. The source counts experience in hours; the "time from start" column turns those hours into full-time years at 2,000 hours a year.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PJ Journey worker plumber | 10,000 hours | — | 5 years | Yes (PSI) | Application $40 |
| PM Master plumber | 2 years at the prior level | — | 7 years | Yes (PSI) | Application $40 |
Journey worker plumber (PJ)
Five years and not less than 10,000 hours of plumbing work in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code, then the UPC exam through PSI. Source: Hawaii PVL, Electrician and plumber license requirements and application (2026-06).
Master plumber (PM)
Licensed as a journey worker plumber in Hawaii or another state for at least two years, then the UPC exam through PSI. Source: Hawaii PVL, Electrician and plumber license requirements and application (2026-06).
Exam
2 of the 2 levels listed here require an exam: Journey worker plumber and Master plumber. The source does not print a pass mark. Testing vendor named: PSI.
Fees
- Journey worker plumber: application $40.
- Master plumber: application $40.
The application form prints the license fee both as $52 and, in its fee section, as $306, $204 or $102 depending on the year of the three-year cycle, so only the $40 application fee is shown here. Exam fees are paid to PSI and are not printed.
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 25 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top plumber credential, Hawaii ranks 24 of 25 from shortest (2 years) to longest (9 years). No other state here sets exactly 7 years.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Texas · Florida · Illinois · Ohio. All states side by side: Plumber license requirements by state.
Other trades in Hawaii
- Electrician: Supervising electrician: 9 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- General contractor: Contractor license, general building (responsible managing employee): 4 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 plumber license in Hawaii?
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL), Board of Electricians and Plumbers. Statewide journey worker and master plumber licenses issued by the Board of Electricians and Plumbers under HRS chapter 448E.
How long does it take to qualify for the Master plumber in Hawaii?
7 years by this site's count. Licensed as a journey worker plumber in Hawaii or another state for at least two years, then the UPC exam through PSI.
Does Hawaii have plumber license reciprocity?
The Hawaii sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
What are the Hawaii plumber license fees?
Journey worker plumber: application $40. Master plumber: application $40.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL), Board of Electricians and Plumbers | 2026-10-21 |
| PJ requirements | Hawaii PVL, Electrician and plumber license requirements and application (2026-06) | 2026-10-21 |
| PM requirements | Hawaii PVL, Electrician and plumber license requirements and application (2026-06) | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | HRS chapter 448E | 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.