Hawaii HVAC License Requirements

Official classification: C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning Contractor / C-53 Refrigeration Contractor · Issued by the Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB), DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division.

❄️ HVACHI ✔ Verified 2026-06-23

In Hawaii, HVAC contractors must hold the C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning Contractor / C-53 Refrigeration Contractor, issued by the Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB), 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 HVAC contractor in Hawaii

Follow these steps to earn your C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning Contractor / C-53 Refrigeration 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 the applicable trade within the past 10 years. Must be documented by at least 3 notarized certificates from employers or professionals with direct knowledge, plus a Chronological History of Projects form.
Pass the C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning — Trade Exam and C-52 / C-53 — Business and Law Exam (required for all contractor classifications) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Hawaii requires 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.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34)), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Applicants must disclose prior disciplinary actions, criminal convictions related to contracting, or outstanding judgments. Board reviews applicant's history as part of a good-character assessment (honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, fair dealing required under HRS §444).
Meet the credit / financial requirement. Complete credit report covering at least the previous 5 years required with application. Also requires a current (not more than 1 year old) compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statement with a report from a licensed/certified public accountant (CPA/PA). Statements by bookkeepers or tax preparers are not acceptable.
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 have 6 months after Board approval to pass both exam parts.
Keep the license active. Renew 2 years; licenses expire September 30 of even-numbered years., completing No continuing education requirement specified by the Contractors License Board for C-52 or C-53 contractor licenses. Federal EPA Section 608 certification (for refrigerant handling) must be maintained separately if working with refrigerants.

License types

C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning Contractor — Fabrication, assembly, and installation of warm-air heating systems, air cooling systems, complete air conditioning systems, ventilating systems, piping, controls, building automation, energy management systems, and thermal and acoustical insulation. Primary HVAC classification.
C-53 Refrigeration Contractor — Commercial refrigeration systems, cold storage equipment, refrigerated display cases, and related piping. Contractors performing both HVAC and commercial refrigeration work must hold both C-52 and C-53 unless scope falls entirely within one classification.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	4 years of full-time supervisory experience (as journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor) in the applicable trade within the past 10 years. Must be documented by at least 3 notarized certificates from employers or professionals with direct knowledge, plus a Chronological History of Projects form.
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
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 C-52 or C-53 contractor licenses. Federal EPA Section 608 certification (for refrigerant handling) must be maintained separately if working with refrigerants.
Bond required	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.
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)
Background check	Applicants must disclose prior disciplinary actions, criminal convictions related to contracting, or outstanding judgments. Board reviews applicant's history as part of a good-character assessment (honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, fair dealing required under HRS §444).
Credit requirement	Complete credit report covering at least the previous 5 years required with application. Also requires a current (not more than 1 year old) compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statement with a report from a licensed/certified public accountant (CPA/PA). Statements by bookkeepers or tax preparers are not acceptable.
Reciprocity	None — Hawaii does not have reciprocal licensing agreements with other states. Out-of-state experience counts toward the 4-year supervisory requirement if properly documented with notarized certificates.
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 have 6 months after Board approval to pass both exam parts.

Exams

C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning — Trade Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC (test-takers.psiexams.com/hitrade; (833) 333-4754) · Passing: 75%; 80 questions; 3 hours; closed-book · Fee: $75 per attempt
C-52 / C-53 — Business and Law Exam (required for all contractor classifications)	Provider: PSI Services LLC · Passing: 75%; 80 questions; 3 hours; closed-book · Fee: $75 per attempt

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

Local / municipal notes

EPA Section 608 Universal or Type II/III certification is required under federal law before handling refrigerants; this is a federal requirement separate from the Hawaii C-52/C-53 state license. Contractors doing both commercial refrigeration and HVAC must hold both C-52 and C-53 classifications unless scope is limited to one category.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Hawaii hvac 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.

Do hvacs in Hawaii need a surety bond?

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.

What experience is required for a Hawaii hvac license?

4 years of full-time supervisory experience (as journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor) in the applicable trade within the past 10 years. Must be documented by at least 3 notarized certificates from employers or professionals with direct knowledge, plus a Chronological History of Projects form.

Is insurance required for hvacs in Hawaii?

Liability: Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34) Workers' compensation: Required if entity has employees; exemptions available for qualifying sole-owner entities with no other employees (HRS Chapter 386 exclusion)

How often must a Hawaii hvac 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 C-52 or C-53 contractor licenses. Federal EPA Section 608 certification (for refrigerant handling) must be maintained separately if working with refrigerants.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-23 — 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.