Plumber Licensing in Hawaii

Hawaii Plumber License Verification

In Hawaii, all individuals performing plumbing work must hold a valid license issued by the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers, which operates under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Professional & Vocational Licensing Division (PVLD). The state licenses Journey Worker Plumbers, Master Plumbers, and Class C Specialty Contractors (C-37 for plumbing). To become a Journey Worker Plumber, applicants must complete a five-year registered apprenticeship program, totaling at least 10,000 hours of work experience in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), alongside 144 annual hours of classroom instruction. This is followed by passing a licensing examination. For Master Plumber licensure, candidates need at least two years of experience as a licensed Journey Worker Plumber and must pass the Master Plumber exam. Plumbing licenses must be renewed every three years by June 30th, with a renewal fee of $306. Continuing competency in the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code is also required during each renewal cycle.

Insurance and Bonding Mandates

Plumbing contractors in Hawaii are subject to specific insurance and bonding requirements to protect both their businesses and the public. General liability insurance is mandatory, with minimum coverage typically set at $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 per occurrence, and $50,000 for property damage per occurrence. Businesses with employees must also carry workers' compensation insurance. Additionally, the Contractors License Board may require a surety bond, commonly with a minimum of $5,000 for contractors, to ensure compliance with laws and satisfactory completion of work. This bond safeguards consumers in instances where the plumber fails to fulfill their contractual or legal obligations.

Permitting and Local Regulations

Plumbing permits are generally required across Hawaii for new installations, alterations, and significant repairs to plumbing systems. While the State Building Code Council establishes the base plumbing codes, permits are issued and overseen by county-level departments, such as Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting or Maui County's Department of Public Works. These permits ensure that all plumbing work adheres to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and local municipal codes. Notably, only State of Hawaii Licensed Plumbing Contractors are authorized to obtain these permits and perform the corresponding work. Minor maintenance tasks, such as clearing stoppages or repairing leaks that do not involve replacing or rearranging pipes or fixtures, may be exempt from permitting requirements.

Official Hawaii Resources

For official information regarding plumber licensing, regulations, and forms, plumbers should consult the following resources:

Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional & Vocational Licensing Division: https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/electrician/

Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Workforce Development Division (for apprenticeships): https://labor.hawaii.gov/wdc/

Maui County Department of Public Works, Plumbing Permit and Inspection Section: https://www.mauicounty.gov/228/Plumbing-Permit-Inspection-Section

Directory of Plumber contractors serving Hawaii

(Note: Other counties will have similar departments)