Hawaii Electrical Contractor License
To obtain Hawaii’s C‑13 electrical contractor license, designate a qualified RME, document four years of supervisory experience, pass Prometric’s business and trade exams, keep liability and workers’ comp insurance, satisfy any Board‑required bond, and pay fees. All licenses renew biennially by September 30 of even‑numbered years.
To get a electrical contractor license in Hawaii, apply to the DCCA Contractors License Board with a qualified Responsible Managing Employee (RME), prove 4 years of supervisory experience, pass the business and C‑13 electrical trade exams, maintain liability and workers’ comp insurance, meet any Board‑set bond, and pay all fees.
Requirements last verified: 2026-10-29
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional & Vocational Licensing (PVL), Contractors License Board (CLB). See forms and deadlines on the CLB page. Official CLB site; Application forms. |
| Classification | C‑13 Electrical contractor (specialty). Listed among official classifications. Entity application (C‑classes). |
| Minimum age | RME must be at least 18. RME requirements. |
| Experience | 4 years of supervisory experience in the past 10 years, documented with notarized certificates and a project list. RME requirements. |
| Exam | Prometric-administered: Part I (Business & Law) and Part II (C‑13 trade). Register after Board approval; fees are paid to Prometric. Exam details. |
| Electrical worker licensing | Electrical/plumbing contractors must employ licensed electricians/plumbers to perform the work; if the RME is not licensed under HRS 448E, licensed EJ/ES workers must do the electrical work. HRS §444-9.5; Board guidance here. |
| Insurance | Maintain liability and workers’ compensation insurance (continuous coverage required). Limited workers’ comp exclusions may apply in narrow cases. Insurance requirements. |
| Bond | Bond may be required by the Board; minimum amount not less than $5,000, set case‑by‑case. HRS §444‑16.5; Bond form. |
| Fees (application) | $50 per application (entity, RME, additional classification). Entity form; RME form. |
| Fees (initial issuance) | Original license fees set by rule plus required fund fees; amounts vary by issuance timing within the biennium. See fee rule. HAR §16‑53‑17 (fees). |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial; all contractor licenses renew by September 30 of each even‑numbered year. CLB renewal info; HRS §444‑15. |
| Renewal fees (2026 on‑time) | Entity/Sole Proprietor: $338; RME: $208. Official 2026 renewal notice. |
| Processing timeline & deadlines | Board reviews complete applications the following month; exam the month after approval. File by the first Tuesday two months before the Board meeting. Deadlines/forms. |
How to get a electrical contractor license in Hawaii (C‑13)
- Organize your business entity and RME. Register your company with BREG, designate a qualified RME who meets age/experience, and gather credit reports and financials. Entity form & checklist; RME form.
- Document 4 years of supervisory experience. Submit at least three notarized experience certificates and a Chronological History of Projects showing on‑site supervision within the last 10 years. RME experience rules.
- File complete applications by the monthly deadline. Submit the entity and RME applications with the $50 fee each, financial statement, credit reports, tax clearance (entity), and RME designation by the first‑Tuesday deadline. CLB deadlines.
- Pass both exams with Prometric. After Board approval, register for Part I (Business & Law) and the C‑13 trade exam; pay Prometric fees directly. Exam info.
- Provide insurance and any required bond. Upload proof of liability and workers’ comp via the PVL insurance portal; if the Board requires a bond, file the surety on the CLB bond form. Insurance rules; Bond form; HRS §444‑16.5.
- Meet electrical worker licensing coverage. Ensure electrical work is performed by EJ/ES licensees if your RME is not licensed under HRS 448E; at least half of electrical workers on site must be licensed. HRS §444‑9.5.
- Pay issuance fees and receive your license. After you pass, the Board will invoice the original license and fund fees; amounts depend on where you are in the biennium. HAR §16‑53‑17.
- Renew by September 30, 2026 (even‑numbered years thereafter). On‑time costs for 2026 are $338 (entity/sole proprietor) and $208 (RME), plus required tax clearance for active entities. 2026 renewal notice.
Hawaii electrical contractor license: who can perform the electrical work?
Under state law, electrical contractors must use licensed electricians for on‑site work. If your RME is not licensed under Chapter 448E, you must employ licensed EJ/ES electricians; at least half of electrical workers on a site must be licensed. HRS §444‑9.5; CLB guidance. For broader mechanical pathways, compare the Hawaii HVAC contractor license steps.
Fees to get and keep your Hawaii C‑13 license
Your budget should include the $50 application fee for each filing (entity and RME), Prometric exam fees, original license and fund fees set by rule, plus biennial renewals. The CLB’s 2026 on‑time renewal costs are $338 for entities/sole proprietors and $208 for RMEs. HAR §16‑53‑17; 2026 renewal notice. For a deeper cost breakdown, see our guide to Hawaii electrical contractor fees.
Insurance, bond, and maintaining good standing
You must maintain continuous liability and workers’ compensation insurance on file with the Board; loss of coverage triggers automatic forfeiture if not cured within 60 days. The Board may also require a bond of at least $5,000, set after reviewing your finances and experience. Insurance maintenance; HRS §444‑16.5.
Key dates and processing rhythm
Complete applications are due by the first Tuesday two months before the Board meeting; approved RMEs test the following month. All contractor licenses renew by September 30 of each even‑numbered year; licenses not renewed by that date are forfeited and work must stop. Deadlines; HRS §444‑15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master electrician license to be the C‑13 RME?
Hawaii doesn’t require the C‑13 RME to hold an EM/ES by rule, but if the RME isn’t licensed under Chapter 448E then licensed EJ/ES electricians must perform the electrical work, and at least half of electrical workers on site must be licensed. HRS §444‑9.5.
What insurance proof does the Board require?
Active entities and sole proprietors must keep liability and workers’ compensation insurance current and filed with CLB (online submission available). Losing coverage causes automatic forfeiture if not corrected within 60 days. Insurance requirements.
When are renewals due and how much in 2026?
All contractor licenses renew by September 30 of even‑numbered years. For 2026, on‑time renewal is $338 for entities/sole proprietors and $208 for RMEs, per the CLB renewal notice. 2026 renewal notice; HRS §444‑15.
Is a contractor bond always required for C‑13?
No. The CLB sets bonding case‑by‑case; the statutory minimum is $5,000 if required. The surety must be on the Board’s bond form. HRS §444‑16.5; Bond form.
How long does approval take?
Typical cadence: file by the first‑Tuesday deadline, Board review the next month, then Prometric exam the following month. Issuance follows after you pass and submit insurance/bond and pay issuance fees. Board schedule; Entity form.
Need a tailored checklist for your Hawaii C‑13 application? License Navigator can assemble your step‑by‑step plan, deadlines, and cost totals so you file once and get approved fast.
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