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How to check a contractor's license in Hawaii

Hawaii contractors are licensed by the Contractors License Board (CLB) in the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. A contractor needs a license for any job over $1,500 in labor and materials, or any job that needs a building permit.

When a license is required

Under HRS 444-2(4), work is exempt only when the total price for labor and materials is $1,500 or less, no building permit is needed, and it isn't part of a larger project. The board's hiring guide also lists electrical and plumbing permits.

Which license class

TradeCLB class
Painting and decoratingC-33
RoofingC-42
ElectricalC-13
PlumbingC-37
Ventilating and air conditioningC-52 (refrigeration is C-40)
General buildingB

Electrical and plumbing contractors must employ licensed electricians and plumbers to do the actual work. The classes come from the board's classification descriptions.

Check it in three steps

  1. Ask for the contractor's name and license number.
  2. Look it up on the MyPVL public license search. The license should be active, and the class should match the work.
  3. Ask the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (808-587-4272) to confirm license status, classes and proof of insurance.

The Contractors Recovery Fund can repay owners of private homes, condos and co-op units, but only if the contractor was licensed when you signed. It pays at most $12,500 per contract (HRS 444-26) and $25,000 per contractor.

Licensed contractors we've already checked