Hawaii Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Journeyworker Electrician (EJ) / Supervising Electrician (ES) — individual licenses; C-13 Electrical Contractor classification · Issued by the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (individual licenses) and Hawaii Contractors License Board (C-13 contractor classification) — both under DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division.

⚡ ElectricianHI ✔ Verified 2026-06-23

In Hawaii, electricians must hold the Journeyworker Electrician (EJ) / Supervising Electrician (ES) — individual licenses; C-13 Electrical Contractor classification, issued by the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (individual licenses) and Hawaii Contractors License Board (C-13 contractor classification) — both under DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, and a surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in Hawaii

Follow these steps to earn your Journeyworker Electrician (EJ) / Supervising Electrician (ES) — individual licenses; C-13 Electrical Contractor classification. Every figure is verified against the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (individual licenses) and Hawaii Contractors License Board (C-13 contractor classification) — both under DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. EJ: 5 years (minimum 10,000 hours) in residential or commercial electrical work + 240 hours of approved academic coursework at a University of Hawaii Community College. ES: 4 years as a licensed EJ (or equivalent out-of-state licensed journey-worker experience). C-13 contractor RME: 4 years of full-time supervisory experience in the electrical trade within the past 10 years.
Pass the Journeyworker Electrician (EJ) Exam and Supervising Electrician (ES) Exam and C-13 Electrical Contractor — Trade Exam and C-13 Electrical Contractor — Business and Law Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Hawaii requires C-13 contractor: Surety bond set by the Contractors License Board on a case-by-case basis per HRS §444-16.5; minimum $5,000, up to $300,000 based on the contractor's financial statement and scope of work. Must be maintained continuously; lapse causes automatic license forfeiture. Individual EJ/ES license: No bond required.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (C-13 contractor: Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34). Individual EJ/ES: Not required.), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. C-13 contractor applicants must disclose prior disciplinary actions, criminal convictions related to contracting, or outstanding judgments. Board reviews history as part of a good-character assessment (honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, fair dealing required under HRS §444). Individual EJ/ES: Not specified by the Board of Electricians and Plumbers.
Meet the credit / financial requirement. C-13 contractor: Complete credit report covering at least the previous 5 years required with application. Individual EJ/ES: Not required.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (individual licenses) and Hawaii Contractors License Board (C-13 contractor classification) — both under DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division — $40 (EJ/ES individual license); $50 (C-13 contractor application, non-refundable) application fee, plus a EJ/ES: $306 (year 1 of 3-year cycle), $204 (year 2), $102 (year 3); C-13 contractor entity/sole proprietor: $633 or $494 depending on licensing window; C-13 RME: $438 or $334 license fee. Processing time: C-13 contractor: Applications must be submitted by the first Tuesday of the month two months prior to the target board meeting; total process typically 3–4 months; applicants have 6 months after Board approval to pass both exam parts. EJ/ES individual license: Board must approve the application before PSI exam registration.
Keep the license active. Renew individual EJ/ES license: 3 years (renew by June 30; next electrician cycle 2026, 2029). C-13 contractor classification: 2 years (renew by September 30 of even-numbered years)., completing EJ/ES: Must complete a continuing competency course on the 2020 National Electrical Code updates each 3-year renewal cycle (offered by Honolulu Community College or the Hawaii Electricians Training Fund). New licenses issued within 1 year of expiration are exempt for that cycle. C-13 contractor classification: No continuing education requirement specified by CLB.

License types

Journeyworker Electrician (EJ) — Licensed to perform residential and commercial electrical wiring work as an employee; does not authorize contracting. Requires 5 years / 10,000 hours experience + 240 hours UH Community College coursework.
Supervising Electrician (ES) — Supervises electrical work at a jobsite; required to serve as the qualifying individual (RME) for a C-13 electrical contractor entity. Requires 4 years as a licensed EJ.
C-13 Electrical Contractor (CLB classification) — Contractor classification to bid, contract, and be responsible for electrical work under 600 volts phase-to-phase including wiring, fixtures, conduits, poles, and raceways. RME must hold an ES or equivalent license. Issued by Contractors License Board under HRS Chapter 444.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	EJ: 5 years (minimum 10,000 hours) in residential or commercial electrical work + 240 hours of approved academic coursework at a University of Hawaii Community College. ES: 4 years as a licensed EJ (or equivalent out-of-state licensed journey-worker experience). C-13 contractor RME: 4 years of full-time supervisory experience in the electrical trade within the past 10 years.
Application fee	$40 (EJ/ES individual license); $50 (C-13 contractor application, non-refundable)
License fee	EJ/ES: $306 (year 1 of 3-year cycle), $204 (year 2), $102 (year 3); C-13 contractor entity/sole proprietor: $633 or $494 depending on licensing window; C-13 RME: $438 or $334
Renewal fee	EJ/ES: $306 active / $12 inactive (every 3 years by June 30); C-13 contractor entity/sole proprietor: $338 active / $160 inactive (every 2 years by Sept 30); C-13 RME: $208 active
Renewal period	Individual EJ/ES license: 3 years (renew by June 30; next electrician cycle 2026, 2029). C-13 contractor classification: 2 years (renew by September 30 of even-numbered years).
Continuing education	EJ/ES: Must complete a continuing competency course on the 2020 National Electrical Code updates each 3-year renewal cycle (offered by Honolulu Community College or the Hawaii Electricians Training Fund). New licenses issued within 1 year of expiration are exempt for that cycle. C-13 contractor classification: No continuing education requirement specified by CLB.
Bond required	C-13 contractor: Surety bond set by the Contractors License Board on a case-by-case basis per HRS §444-16.5; minimum $5,000, up to $300,000 based on the contractor's financial statement and scope of work. Must be maintained continuously; lapse causes automatic license forfeiture. Individual EJ/ES license: No bond required.
Liability insurance	C-13 contractor: Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34). Individual EJ/ES: Not required.
Property damage	C-13 contractor: Minimum $50,000 per occurrence. Individual EJ/ES: Not required.
Workers' comp	C-13 contractor: Required if entity has employees; exemptions for qualifying sole-owner entities with no other employees (HRS Chapter 386 exclusion). Individual EJ/ES: Not applicable.
Background check	C-13 contractor applicants must disclose prior disciplinary actions, criminal convictions related to contracting, or outstanding judgments. Board reviews history as part of a good-character assessment (honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, fair dealing required under HRS §444). Individual EJ/ES: Not specified by the Board of Electricians and Plumbers.
Credit requirement	C-13 contractor: Complete credit report covering at least the previous 5 years required with application. Individual EJ/ES: Not required.
Reciprocity	None — Hawaii has no reciprocal licensing agreements with other states. Out-of-state experience (EJ/ES) may be credited if the applicant was licensed in another state/county with substantially equivalent requirements; must submit a notarized Experience Verification Form. C-13 contractor out-of-state experience counts toward the 4-year requirement if properly documented.
Processing time	C-13 contractor: Applications must be submitted by the first Tuesday of the month two months prior to the target board meeting; total process typically 3–4 months; applicants have 6 months after Board approval to pass both exam parts. EJ/ES individual license: Board must approve the application before PSI exam registration.

Exams

Journeyworker Electrician (EJ) Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC (test-takers.psiexams.com/hitrade; (833) 333-4754) · Passing: 75%; 70 questions; open-book (2020 NEC); 3 hours · Fee: $95 per attempt
Supervising Electrician (ES) Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC · Passing: 75%; 100 questions; open-book (2020 NEC); 5 hours · Fee: $95 per attempt
C-13 Electrical Contractor — Trade Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC · Passing: 75%; 40 questions; 2 hours; closed-book · Fee: $75 per attempt
C-13 Electrical Contractor — Business and Law Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC · Passing: 75%; 60 questions; 135 minutes; closed-book · Fee: $75 per attempt

Preparing for the Electrician exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

An individual electrician license (EJ or ES) does NOT authorize contracting. A separate C-13 contractor classification is required to bid and contract for electrical work (HRS §444). The C-13 RME must be a licensed Supervising Electrician (ES) or equivalent. Both boards are under the DCCA PVL Division but are separate regulatory bodies.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Hawaii electrician license cost?

Application: $40 (EJ/ES individual license); $50 (C-13 contractor application, non-refundable). License: EJ/ES: $306 (year 1 of 3-year cycle), $204 (year 2), $102 (year 3); C-13 contractor entity/sole proprietor: $633 or $494 depending on licensing window; C-13 RME: $438 or $334. Renewal: EJ/ES: $306 active / $12 inactive (every 3 years by June 30); C-13 contractor entity/sole proprietor: $338 active / $160 inactive (every 2 years by Sept 30); C-13 RME: $208 active.

Do electricians in Hawaii need a surety bond?

C-13 contractor: Surety bond set by the Contractors License Board on a case-by-case basis per HRS §444-16.5; minimum $5,000, up to $300,000 based on the contractor's financial statement and scope of work. Must be maintained continuously; lapse causes automatic license forfeiture. Individual EJ/ES license: No bond required.

What experience is required for a Hawaii electrician license?

EJ: 5 years (minimum 10,000 hours) in residential or commercial electrical work + 240 hours of approved academic coursework at a University of Hawaii Community College. ES: 4 years as a licensed EJ (or equivalent out-of-state licensed journey-worker experience). C-13 contractor RME: 4 years of full-time supervisory experience in the electrical trade within the past 10 years.

Is insurance required for electricians in Hawaii?

Liability: C-13 contractor: Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34). Individual EJ/ES: Not required. Workers' compensation: C-13 contractor: Required if entity has employees; exemptions for qualifying sole-owner entities with no other employees (HRS Chapter 386 exclusion). Individual EJ/ES: Not applicable.

How often must a Hawaii electrician license be renewed?

Individual EJ/ES license: 3 years (renew by June 30; next electrician cycle 2026, 2029). C-13 contractor classification: 2 years (renew by September 30 of even-numbered years).. Continuing education: EJ/ES: Must complete a continuing competency course on the 2020 National Electrical Code updates each 3-year renewal cycle (offered by Honolulu Community College or the Hawaii Electricians Training Fund). New licenses issued within 1 year of expiration are exempt for that cycle. C-13 contractor classification: No continuing education requirement specified by CLB.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-23 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (individual licenses) and Hawaii Contractors License Board (C-13 contractor classification) — both under DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division before applying. This is not legal advice.