Hawaii Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Journey Worker Plumber (PJ) / Master Plumber (PM) — individual licenses; C-37 Plumbing Contractor classification · Issued by the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (individual licenses) and Hawaii Contractors License Board (C-37 contractor classification) — both under DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division.

🔧 PlumberHI ✔ Verified 2026-06-23

In Hawaii, plumbers must hold the Journey Worker Plumber (PJ) / Master Plumber (PM) — individual licenses; C-37 Plumbing Contractor classification, issued by the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (individual licenses) and Hawaii Contractors License Board (C-37 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 plumber in Hawaii

Follow these steps to earn your Journey Worker Plumber (PJ) / Master Plumber (PM) — individual licenses; C-37 Plumbing Contractor classification. Every figure is verified against the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (individual licenses) and Hawaii Contractors License Board (C-37 contractor classification) — both under DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. PJ: 5 years (minimum 10,000 hours) of plumbing work in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code, including at least 144 hours of related education per year (720 hours total) through a registered apprenticeship or approved University of Hawaii Community College program. PM: 2 years as a licensed PJ. C-37 contractor RME: 4 years of full-time supervisory experience in the plumbing trade within the past 10 years.
Pass the Journey Worker Plumber (PJ) Exam and Master Plumber (PM) Exam and C-37 Plumbing Contractor — Trade Exam and C-37 Plumbing Contractor — Business and Law Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Hawaii requires C-37 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 PJ/PM license: No bond required.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (C-37 contractor: Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34). Individual PJ/PM: Not required.), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. C-37 contractor applicants must disclose prior disciplinary actions, criminal convictions related to contracting, or outstanding judgments; Board reviews as part of a good-character assessment (honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, fair dealing required under HRS §444). Individual PJ/PM: Not specified by the Board of Electricians and Plumbers.
Meet the credit / financial requirement. C-37 contractor: Complete credit report covering at least the previous 5 years required with application. Individual PJ/PM: Not required.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (individual licenses) and Hawaii Contractors License Board (C-37 contractor classification) — both under DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division — $40 (PJ/PM individual license); $50 (C-37 contractor application, non-refundable) application fee, plus a PJ/PM: $306 (year 1 of 3-year cycle), $204 (year 2), $102 (year 3); C-37 contractor entity/sole proprietor: $633 or $494 depending on licensing window; C-37 RME: $438 or $334 license fee. Processing time: C-37 contractor: Applications due 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. PJ/PM individual license: Board must approve the application before PSI exam registration.
Keep the license active. Renew individual PJ/PM license: 3 years (renew by June 30; next plumber renewal cycle 2027, 2030, 2033). C-37 contractor classification: 2 years (renew by September 30 of even-numbered years)., completing PJ/PM: Must complete a continuing competency course on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) each 3-year renewal cycle (offered at Hawaii Community Colleges). New licenses issued within 1 year of expiration are exempt for that cycle. Inactive-status licensees are not subject to the requirement. C-37 contractor classification: No continuing education requirement specified by CLB.

License types

Journey Worker Plumber (PJ) — Licensed to perform journeyman-level plumbing work as an employee in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code; does not authorize contracting.
Master Plumber (PM) — Advanced individual plumbing license; may serve as the qualifying RME for a C-37 plumbing contractor entity. Requires 2 years as a licensed PJ.
C-37 Plumbing Contractor (CLB classification) — Contractor classification to install, repair, or alter complete plumbing systems including supply water piping, hot water systems, waste water piping, fuel gas piping, and related fixtures. Issued under HRS Chapter 444.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	PJ: 5 years (minimum 10,000 hours) of plumbing work in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code, including at least 144 hours of related education per year (720 hours total) through a registered apprenticeship or approved University of Hawaii Community College program. PM: 2 years as a licensed PJ. C-37 contractor RME: 4 years of full-time supervisory experience in the plumbing trade within the past 10 years.
Application fee	$40 (PJ/PM individual license); $50 (C-37 contractor application, non-refundable)
License fee	PJ/PM: $306 (year 1 of 3-year cycle), $204 (year 2), $102 (year 3); C-37 contractor entity/sole proprietor: $633 or $494 depending on licensing window; C-37 RME: $438 or $334
Renewal fee	PJ/PM: $306 active / $12 inactive (every 3 years by June 30; next plumber cycle 2027, 2030); C-37 contractor: $338 active / $160 inactive (every 2 years by Sept 30)
Renewal period	Individual PJ/PM license: 3 years (renew by June 30; next plumber renewal cycle 2027, 2030, 2033). C-37 contractor classification: 2 years (renew by September 30 of even-numbered years).
Continuing education	PJ/PM: Must complete a continuing competency course on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) each 3-year renewal cycle (offered at Hawaii Community Colleges). New licenses issued within 1 year of expiration are exempt for that cycle. Inactive-status licensees are not subject to the requirement. C-37 contractor classification: No continuing education requirement specified by CLB.
Bond required	C-37 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 PJ/PM license: No bond required.
Liability insurance	C-37 contractor: Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34). Individual PJ/PM: Not required.
Property damage	C-37 contractor: Minimum $50,000 per occurrence. Individual PJ/PM: Not required.
Workers' comp	C-37 contractor: Required if entity has employees; exemptions available for qualifying sole-owner entities with no other employees (HRS Chapter 386 exclusion). Individual PJ/PM: Not applicable.
Background check	C-37 contractor applicants must disclose prior disciplinary actions, criminal convictions related to contracting, or outstanding judgments; Board reviews as part of a good-character assessment (honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, fair dealing required under HRS §444). Individual PJ/PM: Not specified by the Board of Electricians and Plumbers.
Credit requirement	C-37 contractor: Complete credit report covering at least the previous 5 years required with application. Individual PJ/PM: Not required.
Reciprocity	None — Hawaii has no reciprocal licensing agreements with other states for plumbing licenses. Out-of-state experience may be credited toward experience requirements with notarized verification.
Processing time	C-37 contractor: Applications due 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. PJ/PM individual license: Board must approve the application before PSI exam registration.

Exams

Journey Worker Plumber (PJ) Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC (test-takers.psiexams.com/hitrade; (833) 333-4754) · Passing: 70%; 100 questions; closed-book; 3 hours · Fee: $90 per attempt
Master Plumber (PM) Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC · Passing: 70%; 80 questions; closed-book; 3 hours · Fee: $90 per attempt
C-37 Plumbing Contractor — Trade Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC · Passing: 75%; closed-book · Fee: $75–$80 per attempt
C-37 Plumbing Contractor — Business and Law Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC · Passing: 75%; 80 questions; 3 hours; closed-book · Fee: $75–$80 per attempt

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

Local / municipal notes

A Journey Worker or Master Plumber individual license does NOT authorize contracting. A separate C-37 contractor classification under HRS Chapter 444 is required to bid and contract for plumbing work. For C-37 applicants who are not themselves licensed plumbers, the entity must employ a licensed plumber (PJ or PM) to perform the actual plumbing work.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Hawaii plumber license cost?

Application: $40 (PJ/PM individual license); $50 (C-37 contractor application, non-refundable). License: PJ/PM: $306 (year 1 of 3-year cycle), $204 (year 2), $102 (year 3); C-37 contractor entity/sole proprietor: $633 or $494 depending on licensing window; C-37 RME: $438 or $334. Renewal: PJ/PM: $306 active / $12 inactive (every 3 years by June 30; next plumber cycle 2027, 2030); C-37 contractor: $338 active / $160 inactive (every 2 years by Sept 30).

Do plumbers in Hawaii need a surety bond?

C-37 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 PJ/PM license: No bond required.

What experience is required for a Hawaii plumber license?

PJ: 5 years (minimum 10,000 hours) of plumbing work in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code, including at least 144 hours of related education per year (720 hours total) through a registered apprenticeship or approved University of Hawaii Community College program. PM: 2 years as a licensed PJ. C-37 contractor RME: 4 years of full-time supervisory experience in the plumbing trade within the past 10 years.

Is insurance required for plumbers in Hawaii?

Liability: C-37 contractor: Minimum $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury (HAR §16-77-34). Individual PJ/PM: Not required. Workers' compensation: C-37 contractor: Required if entity has employees; exemptions available for qualifying sole-owner entities with no other employees (HRS Chapter 386 exclusion). Individual PJ/PM: Not applicable.

How often must a Hawaii plumber license be renewed?

Individual PJ/PM license: 3 years (renew by June 30; next plumber renewal cycle 2027, 2030, 2033). C-37 contractor classification: 2 years (renew by September 30 of even-numbered years).. Continuing education: PJ/PM: Must complete a continuing competency course on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) each 3-year renewal cycle (offered at Hawaii Community Colleges). New licenses issued within 1 year of expiration are exempt for that cycle. Inactive-status licensees are not subject to the requirement. C-37 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-37 contractor classification) — both under DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division before applying. This is not legal advice.