HAWAII · electrician
C-13 Electrical Contractor
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs — Contractors License Board (Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) →Scope of Work
A C-13 Electrical Contractor is authorized to place, install, erect, or connect any electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, electrical signs, conduits, poles, raceways, and to do trenching, backfilling, patching, and surface restoration in connection with the installation of conduits and lines which transmit, transform, or utilize electrical energy less than 600 volts phase to phase. The classification also includes the work of the C-15 electronic systems contractor and C-60 solar power systems contractor. Work at 600 volts or more phase to phase requires a C-63 High Voltage Electrical Contractor classification. Source: Description of Contractor License Classifications, Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 16 Chapter 77, Exhibit A (https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DescriptionofContractorLicenseClassifications-1.pdf).
Two-License Structure
Hawaii is unusual among U.S. states in separating the contractor license from the individual tradesperson license. The C-13 authorizes the business to contract for electrical work; the individual performing the work still needs an electrician license (ES Supervising Electrician, EJ Journey Worker Electrician, ET Maintenance Electrician, or EU Electrical Apprentice) under HRS Chapter 448E, administered by the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers. A firm that holds a C-13 but whose Responsible Managing Employee (RME) does not personally hold an individual electrician license must employ a licensed electrician to actually perform the electrical work. Source: Hawaii Contractor Entity Application, page 6 (https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Require-App-for-Contractor-Entity_10.25.pdf).
Experience and Training
Four years of supervisory experience within the past ten years within the scope of the requested classification, documented on the application. Applicants must designate a Responsible Managing Employee (RME), who is an officer, partner, or member of the contracting entity with full-time supervisory authority. Source: Hawaii Contractor Entity Application (https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Require-App-for-Contractor-Entity_10.25.pdf).
Exam
Two exams are required: (1) the Business and Law exam and (2) the C-13 Trade exam. Exams are administered by the Board's designated testing vendor; the applicant's RME takes both exams after Board approval of the application. Exam dates are published on the Board's Application Deadline and Examination Dates page (https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/contractor/application-deadline-examination-dates/).
Insurance
Applicants must submit a certificate of liability insurance showing Bodily Injury Liability of at least $100,000 each person and $300,000 each occurrence, and Property Damage Liability of at least $50,000 each occurrence, and a certificate of workers' compensation insurance (a prescribed form may substitute where a single-member LLC or a corporation with no other employees qualifies). Failure to maintain continuous liability and workers' compensation coverage causes automatic forfeiture of license. Source: Hawaii Contractor Entity Application, page 6 (https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Require-App-for-Contractor-Entity_10.25.pdf).
GE Tax License
A contractor doing business in Hawaii must register for the Hawaii General Excise (GE) tax with the Department of Taxation. The GE tax applies to gross receipts from construction activity in Hawaii. Source: Hawaii Department of Taxation, General Excise Tax (https://tax.hawaii.gov/geninfo/get/).
Application Fee
The non-refundable application fee is $50 and must accompany the application. Entity license fee of $260, Recovery Fund fee of $148 (full) or $74 (half), and a $25 service charge are assessed upon Board approval. Source: Hawaii Contractor Entity Application (https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Require-App-for-Contractor-Entity_10.25.pdf).
Reciprocity
Hawaii's Contractors License Board does not currently maintain published contractor-to-contractor reciprocity agreements with other states. Out-of-state applicants apply through the same entity or sole-owner application; the Board evaluates the applicant's prior licensing and experience on a case-by-case basis.
Renewal Cycle
All Hawaii contractor licenses renew by September 30 of each even-numbered year (biennial renewal), regardless of issuance date. Licenses not renewed by September 30 are forfeited; restoration is accepted through November 30 of the even-numbered year with a penalty fee. After November 30, restoration is not accepted and a new application is required. Source: Hawaii Contractor Entity Application, page 7 (https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Require-App-for-Contractor-Entity_10.25.pdf).