License path
Hawaii Contractor License Exam Prep
Hawaii contractors are licensed by the Hawaii Contractors License Board. Most classifications sit a trade paper plus Law & Business. Need only the business paper? It is sold standalone. If you buy a Hawaii classification that sits that exam, that paper is 75% off where we offer it.
Confirm question count, time, open-book rules, and passing score on the live board bulletin before you sit. We do not publish a single Q-count for every classification on this page, and we do not guarantee a passing result.
Getting your Hawaii contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every Hawaii classification that requires a state board exam — currently 5 courses across Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC / Mechanical and Building / General Contractor. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169. Many Hawaii classifications also require passing a separate Business & Law exam — and that course is 75% off with any trade course in your cart for the matching term.
Who licenses contractors in Hawaii
These are the Hawaii classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| Plumbing | Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers | Adopted plumbing & fuel-gas codes |
| HVAC / Mechanical | the responsible Hawaii state licensing authority | Mechanical & fuel-gas codes, EPA 608 |
| Building / General Contractor | Hawaii Contractors License Board | Adopted building code (IBC / IRC) |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any Hawaii board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in Hawaii
Hawaii licenses through the Contractors License Board within DCCA’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. Two deadlines here are unusually tight, and both are easy to miss.
- Get Board approval before you can even register. Applications must be approved by the Board before you are allowed to register for the examination — you cannot book a seat and sort the paperwork afterwards.
- Then pass within six months. Once approved, applicants must pass the examination within six (6) months. Miss that window and the approval lapses.
- Two papers: business and law, plus trade. The written examination covers business and law together with the trade knowledge for the classification requested. Since January 2023 the examinations have been administered by PSI Services.
- Renew by 30 September of every even-numbered year. Every licence, regardless of when it was issued, renews on that common date. A licence not renewed by expiry is unlicensed and may not practise — there is no grace period in which you can keep working.
- If the Board requires a bond, keep it live. Surety bond coverage must be maintained throughout licensure with evidence on file. Failure to maintain the bond causes automatic forfeiture of the licence, and if coverage is not reinstated within 60 days you must apply again as a new applicant. A bond must be held at least one year before a waiver can be requested.
Sources: Hawaii DCCA Contractors License Board, its examination and deadline and bond requirement pages. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-preparation provider and is not affiliated with DCCA.
Choose your Hawaii classification
Each course includes a comprehensive study guide — often 10,000 words or more — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the Hawaii test.
Hawaii contractor licensing — FAQ
Who licenses contractors in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Contractors License Board, within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). Hawaii uses three classes: Class A (General Engineering), Class B (General Building), and Class C (Specialty).
What exams does Hawaii require?
A two-part exam administered by PSI: a Business and Law exam (based on HRS Chapter 444 and Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 16-77) plus a trade exam for your classification.
What is the passing score in Hawaii?
Hawaii exams are closed-book and require a 75% passing score – higher than the 70% used in most states – so thorough preparation matters even more here. PSI has administered the exams since January 2023.
Is there a deadline to pass the Hawaii exam?
Yes. You must pass the exam(s) within six months; applicants who do not must file a new application. Hawaii also requires four years of supervisory trade experience and a CPA-prepared financial statement.
How long should I study for the Hawaii exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.