Hawaii General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: B General Building Contractor · Issued by the Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB), DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division.

🏗️ General ContractorHI ✔ Verified 2026-09-20

In Hawaii, general contractors must hold the B General Building Contractor, issued by the Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB), DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, and a surety bond may be required at the licensing board's discretion. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in Hawaii

Follow these steps to earn your B General Building Contractor. Every figure is verified against the Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB), DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. 4 years of full-time supervisory experience (as journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor) in general building construction within the past 10 years. Must be documented by at least 3 notarized certificates and a Chronological History of Projects form. Technical education or training may substitute for up to 1 year of experience.
Be ready to post a bond if the board requires one. Not automatically required: the Contractors License Board may require a surety bond of an individual applicant or licensee based on its review of the financial statement and scope of work per HRS §444-16.5. If required, the bond must be maintained continuously; lapse causes automatic license forfeiture. Licensees must maintain the bond for at least 1 year before requesting a waiver.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34). Property damage: Minimum $50,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation: Required if entity has employees; exemptions available for qualifying sole-owner entities with no other employees (HRS Chapter 386 exclusion). Insurance certificates must be submitted through pvlinsurance.dcca.hawaii.gov (emailed certificates not accepted).
Clear the background check. Applicants must disclose prior disciplinary actions, criminal convictions related to contracting, or outstanding judgments. Board reviews applicant history as part of a good-character assessment (honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, fair dealing required under HRS §444-9).
Meet the credit / financial requirement. Complete credit report covering at least the previous 5 years required with application. Current (not more than 1 year old) compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statement with a licensed/certified public accountant's report required; statements by bookkeepers or tax preparers are not acceptable. Hawaii State Tax Clearance (DOTAX), issued within 6 months, required for entities in operation more than 1 year.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB), DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division — $50 (non-refundable) application fee, plus a Entity/sole proprietor: $633 (Oct 1 even year – Sept 30 odd year) or $494 (other periods); RME: $438 or $334 license fee. Processing time: Applications must be submitted by the first Tuesday of the month two months before the target Board meeting; total process typically 3–4 months; applicants must pass both exam parts within 6 months of Board approval.
Pass the B General Building Contractor — Trade Exam and Business and Law Exam (required for all contractor classifications) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 2 years; licenses expire September 30 of even-numbered years. Continuing education: No continuing education requirement specified by the Contractors License Board for the B General Building Contractor license.

For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →

Hawaii general contractor license lookup

To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in Hawaii — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov database →

License types

B — General Building Contractor — Residential, commercial, and industrial building construction; structures, additions, alterations, and repairs. A B license automatically includes several specialty classifications (C-5, C-6, C-10, C-12, C-24, C-25, C-31a, C-32a, C-42a, C-42b) within the scope of a general building project.
A — General Engineering Contractor (related classification, noted for reference) — Fixed-works projects: highways, bridges, dams, infrastructure. Separate from Class B; a different classification under HRS §444.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	4 years of full-time supervisory experience (as journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor) in general building construction within the past 10 years. Must be documented by at least 3 notarized certificates and a Chronological History of Projects form. Technical education or training may substitute for up to 1 year of experience.
Application fee	$50 (non-refundable)
License fee	Entity/sole proprietor: $633 (Oct 1 even year – Sept 30 odd year) or $494 (other periods); RME: $438 or $334
Renewal fee	$338 active entity/sole proprietor / $160 inactive; $208 active RME — every 2 years by September 30 of even-numbered years. Late renewal (within 60-day grace period): $388 entity/sole proprietor, $258 RME.
Renewal period	2 years; licenses expire September 30 of even-numbered years.
Continuing education	No continuing education requirement specified by the Contractors License Board for the B General Building Contractor license.
Bond required	Not automatically required: the Contractors License Board may require a surety bond of an individual applicant or licensee based on its review of the financial statement and scope of work per HRS §444-16.5. If required, the bond must be maintained continuously; lapse causes automatic license forfeiture. Licensees must maintain the bond for at least 1 year before requesting a waiver.
Liability insurance	Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34)
Property damage	Minimum $50,000 per occurrence
Workers' comp	Required if entity has employees; exemptions available for qualifying sole-owner entities with no other employees (HRS Chapter 386 exclusion). Insurance certificates must be submitted through pvlinsurance.dcca.hawaii.gov (emailed certificates not accepted).
Background check	Applicants must disclose prior disciplinary actions, criminal convictions related to contracting, or outstanding judgments. Board reviews applicant history as part of a good-character assessment (honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, fair dealing required under HRS §444-9).
Credit requirement	Complete credit report covering at least the previous 5 years required with application. Current (not more than 1 year old) compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statement with a licensed/certified public accountant's report required; statements by bookkeepers or tax preparers are not acceptable. Hawaii State Tax Clearance (DOTAX), issued within 6 months, required for entities in operation more than 1 year.
Reciprocity	None — Hawaii does not offer reciprocal licensing agreements with other states for contractor licenses. Out-of-state experience counts toward the 4-year requirement if documented with notarized certificates. · other states' agreements
Processing time	Applications must be submitted by the first Tuesday of the month two months before the target Board meeting; total process typically 3–4 months; applicants must pass both exam parts within 6 months of Board approval.

What a Hawaii general contractor license costs

Application fee	$50 (non-refundable).
License fee	Entity/sole proprietor: $633 (Oct 1 even year – Sept 30 odd year) or $494 (other periods); RME: $438 or $334.
B General Building Contractor — Trade Exam	$75–$85 per attempt.
Business and Law Exam (required for all contractor classifications)	$75–$80 per attempt.
Surety bond	Not automatically required: the Contractors License Board may require a surety bond of an individual applicant or licensee based on its review of the financial statement and scope of work per HRS §444-16.5. If required, the bond must be maintained continuously; lapse causes automatic license forfeiture. Licensees must maintain the bond for at least 1 year before requesting a waiver.
Renewal fee	$338 active entity/sole proprietor / $160 inactive; $208 active RME — every 2 years by September 30 of even-numbered years. Late renewal (within 60-day grace period): $388 entity/sole proprietor, $258 RME.
Renewal period	2 years; licenses expire September 30 of even-numbered years.

Exams

B General Building Contractor — Trade Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC (test-takers.psiexams.com/hitrade; (833) 333-4754) · Passing: 75%; 80 questions; 4 hours (240 minutes); closed-book · Fee: $75–$85 per attempt
Business and Law Exam (required for all contractor classifications)	Provider: PSI Services LLC · Passing: 75%; 80 questions; 3 hours; closed-book · Fee: $75–$80 per attempt

Renewing a Hawaii general contractor license

The B General Building Contractor renews on a fixed cycle set by the Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB), DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	2 years; licenses expire September 30 of even-numbered years.
Renewal fee	$338 active entity/sole proprietor / $160 inactive; $208 active RME — every 2 years by September 30 of even-numbered years. Late renewal (within 60-day grace period): $388 entity/sole proprietor, $258 RME.
Continuing education	No continuing education requirement specified by the Contractors License Board for the B General Building Contractor license.
Where to renew	Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB), DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division

Local / municipal notes

A contractor license is required for any construction project where total cost (labor plus materials) exceeds $1,500 (HRS §444). Unlicensed contracting on a first offense carries up to a $5,000 fine and/or 1 year imprisonment; subsequent offenses up to $10,000 (HRS §444-22). The B license covers a broad range of specialty work within a general building project but does not extend to electrical (C-13) or plumbing (C-37) work — those trades require separate licensed individuals and contractor classifications.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Hawaii general contractor license cost?

Application: $50 (non-refundable). License: Entity/sole proprietor: $633 (Oct 1 even year – Sept 30 odd year) or $494 (other periods); RME: $438 or $334. Renewal: $338 active entity/sole proprietor / $160 inactive; $208 active RME — every 2 years by September 30 of even-numbered years. Late renewal (within 60-day grace period): $388 entity/sole proprietor, $258 RME.

How do I look up a general contractor license in Hawaii?

Search the official license database at mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do general contractors in Hawaii need a surety bond?

Not automatically required: the Contractors License Board may require a surety bond of an individual applicant or licensee based on its review of the financial statement and scope of work per HRS §444-16.5. If required, the bond must be maintained continuously; lapse causes automatic license forfeiture. Licensees must maintain the bond for at least 1 year before requesting a waiver.

What experience is required for a Hawaii general contractor license?

4 years of full-time supervisory experience (as journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor) in general building construction within the past 10 years. Must be documented by at least 3 notarized certificates and a Chronological History of Projects form. Technical education or training may substitute for up to 1 year of experience.

Is insurance required for general contractors in Hawaii?

Liability: Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34). Property damage: Minimum $50,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation: Required if entity has employees; exemptions available for qualifying sole-owner entities with no other employees (HRS Chapter 386 exclusion). Insurance certificates must be submitted through pvlinsurance.dcca.hawaii.gov (emailed certificates not accepted).

How long does it take to get a Hawaii general contractor license?

Processing time: Applications must be submitted by the first Tuesday of the month two months before the target Board meeting; total process typically 3–4 months; applicants must pass both exam parts within 6 months of Board approval.

Is a background check required for general contractors in Hawaii?

Background check: Applicants must disclose prior disciplinary actions, criminal convictions related to contracting, or outstanding judgments. Board reviews applicant history as part of a good-character assessment (honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, fair dealing required under HRS §444-9).

Is there a credit or financial requirement for a Hawaii general contractor license?

Credit requirement: Complete credit report covering at least the previous 5 years required with application. Current (not more than 1 year old) compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statement with a licensed/certified public accountant's report required; statements by bookkeepers or tax preparers are not acceptable. Hawaii State Tax Clearance (DOTAX), issued within 6 months, required for entities in operation more than 1 year.

How often must a Hawaii general contractor license be renewed?

2 years; licenses expire September 30 of even-numbered years. Continuing education: No continuing education requirement specified by the Contractors License Board for the B General Building Contractor license.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-09-20 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB), DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division before applying. This is not legal advice.