HVAC contractor license cost: Hawaii

Expect to spend several hundred dollars in state fees to obtain an HVAC (C‑52 Ventilating & Air Conditioning) contractor license in Hawaii, plus PSI exam fees and insurance. Core costs include a $50 application, biennial license issuance (entity and RME), Compliance Resolution Fund, Recovery and Education fund fees, with renewals every even‑numbered year.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-02

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional & Vocational Licensing (PVL), Contractors License Board. See the Board page and forms: Contractors License Board and Application Forms.
License classification	C‑52 Ventilating & Air Conditioning (HVAC). See official scope: Description of Contractor License Classifications.
Application fee	$50 (non‑refundable) paid to DCCA with the application. Source: Contractor Entity application, p.1 (CT‑00 rev. 10/25); fee amounts set in HAR §16‑53‑17 (HAR Ch. 53 fees).
Exam	Business & Law + C‑52 trade exam; exams administered by PSI Services after Board approval. Register via PSI; exam fees are paid directly to PSI per the Candidate Bulletin. Sources: DCCA exam page (PSI); exam parts noted in Sole Proprietor packet pp.3–4 (SP application).
Experience (RME)	Minimum 4 years supervisory experience in the classification within the past 10 years for the Responsible Managing Employee (RME). Source: HAR §16‑77‑18 (HAR Ch. 77).
Minimum age	Beyond the age of majority (18+) per Uniform Professional & Vocational Licensing Act. Source: HRS §436B‑10 (HRS Ch. 436B).
Insurance	General liability minimums: Bodily injury $100,000 each person/$300,000 each occurrence; Property damage $50,000 each occurrence; Workers’ compensation as applicable. Source: Contractor Entity application p.5 (CT‑00 rev. 10/25).
Bond	The Board may require a specialty contractor to post a license bond of not less than $5,000; use the Board bond form if required. Sources: HRS §444‑16.5 (HRS Ch. 444); DCCA bond form (CT‑09); Board bond info (Maintain Bond).
Initial license issuance fees	Assessed after exam/approval. By rule (HAR §16‑53‑17): Contracting entity license fee $355 if issued in the first year of the biennium; $260 in the second year. RME license fee $290 (first year) or $260 (second year). Plus CRF fee $74, Recovery Fund $150, Education Fund $10. Source: HAR Ch. 53 fees.
Renewal cycle & fees	All contractor licenses renew by September 30 of even‑numbered years. Biennial renewal fees: Entity $190; RME $60; plus Education Fund $5 and Recovery Fund $10; CRF biennial $148 per schedule. Sources: Entity packet p.6 (CT‑00); HAR Ch. 53 fees.
Processing cadence	Board meets monthly (except December). Complete application due by the first Tuesday two months before the meeting. Source: DCCA Application & Publications.

How to get your Hawaii HVAC (C‑52) contractor license, step by step

1. Form your business and designate an RME. Register the entity with DCCA BREG and prepare to designate a Responsible Managing Employee (RME). Use the DCCA contractor applications for your entity and RME (official forms).
2. Document the RME’s experience. Compile the required 4 years of supervisory experience within the last 10 years, using the Board’s project history and experience certificate forms (HAR §16‑77‑18; forms linked above).
3. Submit the application and $50 fee. File by the first‑Tuesday, two‑months‑prior deadline for the Board meeting. See the Entity or Sole Proprietor packet for filing, financial statement, credit report, and tax clearance details (Entity CT‑00; Sole Proprietor).
4. Pass PSI exams. After Board approval, register with PSI and pass both Business & Law and the C‑52 trade exam. Exam windows and registration are on the DCCA exam page (PSI exam info).
5. Provide insurance (and any bond if required). Submit liability and workers’ compensation certificates meeting Board minimums; post a license bond if the Board requires one (see CT‑00; bond requirements).
6. Pay issuance fees and receive the license. DCCA will invoice applicable issuance fees (entity/RME license fee based on year of biennium, CRF, Recovery, Education funds) per HAR §16‑53‑17.
7. Maintain and renew in even years. Keep insurance active, maintain your place of business, and renew by September 30 of each even‑numbered year (Entity packet p.6).

What the HVAC contractor license costs in Hawaii (itemized)

Below are typical state‑assessed costs for a new C‑52 license. Exact totals vary by issuance timing within the biennium and PSI’s exam fee schedule.

• Application: $50 to DCCA (CT‑00; HAR §16‑53‑17).
• PSI exams: Business & Law + C‑52 trade. Fees are paid to PSI and set in the Candidate Bulletin (DCCA/PSI).
• Initial license issuance (Entity): $355 if issued in the first year of the biennium; $260 if in the second year (HAR §16‑53‑17(5)).
• Initial license issuance (RME): $290 (first year) or $260 (second year) (HAR §16‑53‑17(6)).
• Compliance Resolution Fund (CRF) fee at issuance: $74; biennial CRF: $148 (HAR §16‑53‑17(13)).
• Contractors Recovery Fund fee: $150 at issuance; $10 at renewal (HAR §16‑53‑17(7),(9)(D)).
• Education Fund fee: $10 at issuance; $5 at renewal (HAR §16‑53‑17(8),(9)(C)).
• Renewal (every even year by Sept 30): Entity $190 + Recovery $10 + Education $5 + CRF $148; RME $60 + CRF as billed (HAR §16‑53‑17; renewal timing in CT‑00 p.6).

Insurance premiums and any Board‑required license bond are separate market costs. Liability minimums are set in the application packet; bonds, when required, must be at least $5,000 per HRS §444‑16.5 (CT‑00 insurance; HRS Ch. 444).

Hawaii HVAC contractor license requirements (C‑52)

Experience and RME

Every entity must employ a principal RME; the RME must document at least four years of supervisory HVAC experience within the last ten years (HAR §16‑77‑18). See: HAR Ch. 77 and the DCCA application packets (forms).

Exams and scheduling

After the Board approves your application, register with PSI for Business & Law and C‑52. You must pass within the Board’s eligibility window; details and scheduling are on the DCCA PSI page: exam info. The Sole Proprietor packet confirms the two‑part exam structure (SP application).

Insurance and bond

Maintain liability coverage of at least $100,000/$300,000 BI and $50,000 PD, plus workers’ compensation (Entity packet p.5). The Board may require a specialty contractor bond of $5,000 or more (HRS §444‑16.5). Resources: CT‑00, bond requirements, HRS Ch. 444.

Renewal timing

All contractor licenses renew on September 30 of even‑numbered years; restoration after lapse is limited and carries penalties (Entity packet p.6). See: CT‑00.

Budgeting across licenses in Hawaii? Our breakdown of Hawaii security guard license costs and a side‑by‑side look at Hawaii PI license cost & fees can help you compare DCCA fee structures, fund assessments, and renewal cadences across professions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Hawaii HVAC (C‑52) contractor license cost to obtain?

Plan for: $50 DCCA application; PSI exam fees (Business & Law + C‑52) paid to PSI; issuance fees per HAR §16‑53‑17 (Entity $355 first year or $260 second year; RME $290 first year or $260 second year) plus CRF $74, Recovery $150, Education $10. Citations: HAR Ch. 53; DCCA/PSI.

What are the renewal fees and schedule?

Renew by September 30 of even years. Biennial fees: Entity $190; RME $60; Education Fund $5; Recovery Fund $10; CRF biennial $148. Sources: Entity packet (renewal); HAR §16‑53‑17.

Is a bond always required for a C‑52 license?

No. The Board may require a bond; when required, the minimum amount is $5,000 and the Board’s bond form must be used. Source: HRS §444‑16.5 (Ch. 444); Maintain Bond Requirements.

What insurance limits are mandated?

At minimum: BI $100,000 per person/$300,000 per occurrence and PD $50,000 per occurrence, plus workers’ compensation as applicable. Source: Contractor Entity application p.5 (CT‑00).

What experience must the RME show?

Four years of supervisory experience in the trade within the last ten years; self‑employed or unlicensed experience may count at the Board’s discretion. Source: HAR §16‑77‑18 (HAR Ch. 77).

Ready to map the exact steps and fees for your situation? License Navigator can build your Hawaii HVAC licensing cost plan—including PSI exam budgeting, fund fees, and renewal reminders—so you don’t miss a deadline.