Quick Reference Table
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
License Types | C-13 Electrical Contractor (≤600 V), C-63 High Voltage Electrical Contractor (≥600 V) |
Regulating Agency | DCCA-PVL Contractors License Board (CLB) |
Experience | Four years (8,000 hours) of supervisory electrical contracting experience with three notarized certificates |
Exam Required | Yes, Business & Law exam and Trade exam (70% pass) by Prometric/PSI |
Renewal/Frequency | Biennial, by September 30 in even-numbered years |
Continuing Education | Required only for individual electricians (NEC update); not for C-13 contractor license |
Fees | $50 application (as of 2026); $338 renewal; $5,000 bond; exam ~ $75 per part (verify fees at CLB Fee Schedule) |
Official Links |
Who Needs a License in Hawaii?
Nearly all electrical contracting work in Hawaii requires a license if the total value of labor and materials exceeds $1,500, or if a building, electrical, or plumbing permit is required for the job. Homeowners and unlicensed handymen cannot legally perform electrical work due to safety and permitting laws. Meeting electrical license requirements in Hawaii is essential for any business or individual engaged in covered work.
The state defines contracting strictly: Only contractors holding a C-13 (Electrical) or C-63 (High Voltage) license may pull electrical permits or advertise for such work. The key legal threshold is a $1,500 contract total or triggering the need for an official permit. Even if a project is below this value but a permit is required, a license is still mandatory. There are no general exemptions for handymen or owner-builders when it comes to electrical contracting; the work must be completed by or under direct supervision of a properly licensed contractor.
If you operate as a business, you must either be licensed as a Responsible Managing Employee (RME) with an electrical license or employ a licensed electrician to perform or supervise the electrical work. Sole proprietors must also follow the same experience and licensing requirements. Contractors should review project scope and client demands carefully before bidding any work that could trigger these requirements based on electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Electrical License Types
There are two primary electrical contractor license types in Hawaii: C-13 Electrical Contractor (for systems up to 600 volts) and C-63 High Voltage Electrical Contractor (for work over 600 volts). Your choice depends on the electrical license requirements in Hawaii for your intended scope of work.
C-13 Electrical Contractor
The C-13 classification covers installation, alteration, and repair of electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, poles, panels, conduits, and sign connections, up to 600 volts. Contractors with this license can run wires, connect lighting, install hardware, and perform other work common to residential and most commercial projects, as long as system voltage does not exceed this threshold. Incidental trenching or backfilling related to conduit is allowed under C-13. All C-13 licensees must maintain compliance with electrical license requirements in Hawaii at all times.
C-63 High Voltage Electrical Contractor
The C-63 license allows work on high voltage systems at 600 volts and above, including power distribution lines, industrial installations, substations, and more. High-voltage work cannot be performed under a C-13 license; you must specifically apply for and hold a C-63 classification to meet electrical license requirements in Hawaii for high-voltage work.
Specialty Electrical Subclass
There is also a C-13a subclass limited to electrical signage. This is not a broad electrical contracting license. Contractors must check that their license matches the actual scope of work. In addition, general engineering or building contractors (A or B) are allowed certain limited electrical elements but must subcontract specialized electrical work to licensed specialty (C-13/C-63) contractors, especially where the project involves high-voltage, cathodic protection, or service upgrades. Review your electrical license requirements in Hawaii for the right classification.
How to Get Licensed in Hawaii
To obtain an electrical contractor license in Hawaii, you must complete a multi-step process that includes verifying your experience, submitting documentation, passing state exams, and providing proof of bonding and insurance.
Step 1: Verify Experience and Gather Documentation
Verify that you have at least four years (8,000 hours) of supervisory experience in electrical contracting by gathering three notarized experience certificates and a chronological project history form. Each certificate must be from a separate individual.
If you are applying as an entity or corporation, designate a Responsible Managing Employee (RME) who meets all the same experience and supervisory licensing requirements. For C-13, the RME must hold a Supervising Electrician (journeyman) license or an electrical engineering degree.
Gather required documents: social security number, tax clearances (GET and federal), business registration documents, $5,000 surety bond form, insurance certificates, experience forms, and (for entities) a financial statement.
Step 2: Application Submission and Review
Pay the $50 non-refundable application fee (as of 2026, verify at CLB Fee Schedule) and file all complete materials with the Contractors License Board office. Application must be received by the first Tuesday two months before the intended board meeting date.
The board reviews your application and supporting documents. If all are found satisfactory, they notify you to register for the Business & Law exam and trade (C-13 or C-63) exam via Prometric/PSI.
Step 3: Exams and License Issuance
Take and pass both required exams: Business & Law and the trade exam. The minimum passing score for each is 70%. Prometric/PSI administers these at test centers statewide. Score reports are mailed within about 10 business days.
After passing, submit all final bonding, insurance, and tax documentation plus any required license issuance fees. Upon approval, your license is issued and you are added to the state roster of licensed contractors.
If you do not pass the exam(s) within six months or the full licensing process is not completed within one year, the application is declared abandoned and you must reapply from step one.
This process applies to both sole proprietors and businesses wishing to become licensed for electrical contracting in Hawaii. All documentation must be current and notarized as required, and deadlines are strictly enforced by the board. Always meet all electrical license requirements in Hawaii through each step.
Application Requirements
Applicants for electrical contractor licenses in Hawaii must meet a range of specific requirements according to official electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Experience and Age
You must prove four years, or 8,000 hours, as a supervisor on electrical contracting projects. This must be documented through three separate, notarized experience certificates, and a full chronological history showing all relevant jobs and roles. There is no explicit minimum age in the rules, but a valid Social Security Number is required under federal and Hawaii law. No stated citizenship requirement exists, though you must comply with all tax and registration rules linked to electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Financials and Documentation
Entity applicants must submit a financial statement for the business. Sole proprietors and business entities are also required to provide tax clearance documentation matching the legal business or individual name on file. All documents must be complete and properly prepared, as incomplete submissions will be rejected or delayed. Following these documentation steps is central to meeting electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Bond and Insurance
A surety bond is mandatory for all applicants. The required amount is $5,000 (as of 2026; see official bond form). Contractors must also provide proof of general liability insurance; the minimum coverage is not specified in statutes, but $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate are typical practice, and homeowners are advised to require at least $300,000. If you employ any workers, you must supply evidence of workers' compensation insurance as well. These requirements are part of the electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Background and Federal Certifications
As of 2026, Hawaii does not require fingerprinting or a criminal background check specifically for the C-13 or C-63 contractor license. No federal certifications (such as EPA 608) are needed for standard electrical contractor work. However, the board does review your legal standing, tax compliance, and previous disciplinary actions as part of the application review. Maintain transparency and compliance as outlined in electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Exams
Two exams are required for all Hawaii electrical contractor applicants: the Business & Law exam and the trade exam specific to your classification (C-13 or C-63). These form a core part of electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Both tests are administered at official Prometric or PSI test centers. The Business & Law exam is typically 60 questions over 135 minutes and covers contracts, business organization, labor law, safety, tax, and lien rules. The trade exam content is based on National Electrical Code, state amendments, wiring methods, and jobsite practice. Questions are multiple-choice, and some are open-book. The minimum passing score for both exams is 70% (as of 2026, verify at Prometric Hawaii Electrical Bulletin).
Test-takers who fail may retake exams; details on retakes and scheduled test windows are included in your exam notice and on your mailed score report. Application is considered abandoned if not completed within six months of first attempt or one year of board eligibility approval. Contractors should review the board's forms page for current content outlines and practice resources. Adhering to the examination process is critical to satisfy electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Fees
The main fees for a Hawaii electrical contractor license are as follows (all as of 2026, per official sources). Be sure to check all fees to comply with electrical license requirements in Hawaii:
Application fee (non-refundable): $50 (source date 2026).
Exam fee: Approximately $75 per part (Business & Law and Trade); total estimated at $150 for both (verify at source).
Bond: $5,000 surety bond (premium varies, requirement as of 2026, bond form).
License renewal (2026–2028 cycle): $338 (entity/sole proprietor); $208 (RME); $160 (inactive). (source date 2026).
Late renewal (within 60 days): $388 (entity/sole proprietor); $258 (RME); $210 (inactive).
Individual electrician (journeyman/supervising) fees: $40 application; $40 initial license; $120 triennial renewal. (fee schedule).
Business registration with the state: $20–$51 (depending on structure).
Always verify the latest fee schedule at the official board site before applying. Up-to-date fees are part of electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Renewal and Continuing Education
You must renew your Hawaii electrical contractor license every two years, by September 30 of every even-numbered year. The next cycle after 2026 will be 2028–2030. Renewal forms are mailed August 7, with a renewal window from August 10 to September 30 (official announcement). Proper renewal is part of ongoing electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Continuing Education for Contractors
Currently, C-13 and C-63 contractor license holders do not need continuing education to renew. However, individual licensed electricians (except maintenance) must complete an NEC-2020 update course between July 2023 and June 2026, or in future cycles as specified (CE FAQ). Fulfilling electrical license requirements in Hawaii ensures you maintain your credentials.
Late Renewal and Lapse
Contractors who miss the September 30 deadline may pay a late fee and restore their license within 60 days. After 60 days, the license automatically terminates, and you must reapply from scratch, including retaking exams and filing all new documentation. Operating with a lapsed license is prohibited and may result in penalties. Always meet renewal deadlines according to electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
Reciprocity
Hawaii does not offer formal reciprocity for out-of-state electrical contractor licenses. You cannot obtain a C-13 or C-63 contractor license in Hawaii based solely on licensure in another state. The board may consider experience from other states as part of the application, but you must still complete the full Hawaii process, including documentation, exams, and bonding. Case-by-case review sometimes applies to individual electrician licenses, but not for contractor licenses (reference). Always review official board guidance before making assumptions about transfer pathways for electrical license requirements in Hawaii.
