Trade business resources for Hawaii.

In Hawaii, contractors must be licensed through the Contractors License Board, which operates under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing division. Any person or company performing construction work valued at $1,000 or more (combined labor and materials) is required to hold a valid contractor's license.

State licensing board

Hawaii contractor licenses are divided into two broad categories: General Engineering Contractor (A), General Building Contractor (B), and Specialty Contractors (C). General Building (B) covers construction of structures including residential and commercial buildings. Specialty Contractor (C) licenses cover specific trades and include electrical (C-13), plumbing (C-37), air conditioning and ventilation/HVAC (C-52), roofing (C-42), and many other specialty categories. There is no separate standalone 'journeyman' license at the state level for most trades — the license is issued to the contracting business, which must have a qualifying individual (RME or owner) who passes the relevant trade exam. Any project with a combined labor-and-materials value of $1,000 or more triggers the licensing requirement, and working without a license can result in fines and criminal penalties.

Business registration