Hawaii Roofer License Requirements

Official classification: C-42 Roofing Contractor (with sub-classifications including C-42a metal shingles, C-42b wood shakes) · Issued by the Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB), DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division.

🏠 RooferHI ✔ Verified 2026-06-23

In Hawaii, roofers must hold the C-42 Roofing Contractor (with sub-classifications including C-42a metal shingles, C-42b wood shakes), 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 roofer in Hawaii

Follow these steps to earn your C-42 Roofing Contractor (with sub-classifications including C-42a metal shingles, C-42b wood shakes). 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 roofing trade within the past 10 years. Up to 1 year of experience may be substituted with relevant technical education. Must be documented by at least 3 notarized certificates and a Chronological History of Projects form.
Pass the C-42 Roofing 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.
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 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. 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 approximately 3–4 months; applicants must pass both exam parts within 6 months of Board approval.
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 the C-42 Roofing Contractor license.

License types

C-42 Roofing Contractor — Installation of all types of roofing including composition shingles, tile, single-ply systems, metal roofing; application of protective and reflective roof coatings; deck and top coatings.
C-42a — Aluminum and Other Metal Shingles — Specialty sub-classification within roofing for aluminum and other metal shingle systems specifically.
C-42b — Wood Shingles and Wood Shakes — Specialty sub-classification for wood shingle and shake roofing systems.
C-42c — Concrete and Clay Tile — Specialty sub-classification for concrete and clay tile roofing systems.
C-42e — Urethane Foam Contractor — Specialty sub-classification for urethane foam roofing applications.
C-42g — Roof Coatings Contractor — Specialty sub-classification for roof coating applications.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	4 years of full-time supervisory experience (as journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor) in the roofing trade within the past 10 years. Up to 1 year of experience may be substituted with relevant technical education. Must be documented by at least 3 notarized certificates and 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 the C-42 Roofing Contractor license.
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 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. 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.
Processing time	Applications must be submitted by the first Tuesday of the month two months before the target Board meeting; total process approximately 3–4 months; applicants must pass both exam parts within 6 months of Board approval.

Exams

C-42 Roofing Contractor — Trade Exam	Provider: PSI Services LLC (test-takers.psiexams.com/hitrade; (833) 333-4754) · Passing: 75%; 50 questions; 2 hours (120 minutes); closed-book · Fee: $75–$80 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

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

Local / municipal notes

The C-42 Roofing Contractor classification encompasses all roofing material types. The B General Building Contractor license automatically includes C-42a and C-42b within the scope of a general building project, but a standalone roofing contracting business requires the C-42 classification. Hawaii's climate (high UV, tropical weather, wind and rain) makes roofing a high-demand trade.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Hawaii roofer 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 roofers 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 roofer license?

4 years of full-time supervisory experience (as journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor) in the roofing trade within the past 10 years. Up to 1 year of experience may be substituted with relevant technical education. Must be documented by at least 3 notarized certificates and a Chronological History of Projects form.

Is insurance required for roofers 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 roofer 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 C-42 Roofing Contractor license.

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.