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How to get an electrician license in Hawaii

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for Hawaii, pulled from official HI sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing)
  • State journeyman license: Yes (The Board licenses journey worker, supervising, specialty, industrial and maintenance electricians statewide (HRS Chapter 448E). An electrician license does not allow contracting; that needs a contractor license under HRS 444.)
  • Journey Worker Electrician (EJ): 10,000 hours (at least 5 years) in residential or commercial wiring, plus 240 hours of electrical academic coursework conducted or accepted by a University of Hawaii Community College. Each licensed electrician you worked under signs a notarized Experience Verification form.
  • Exam: open book, via PSI
  • Code edition: The PSI exams (bulletin dated 3/22/2024) use the 2020 NEC, which PSI provides at the test center.

Requirements by license

Journey Worker Electrician (EJ)

Experience10,000 hours (at least 5 years) in residential or commercial wiring, plus 240 hours of electrical academic coursework conducted or accepted by a University of Hawaii Community College. Each licensed electrician you worked under signs a notarized Experience Verification form.Source: cca.hawaii.gov · as of
ExamPSI. Open book. 70 questions, 180 minutes, 70% to pass. Open book, but PSI provides the 2020 NEC at the test center and you cannot bring your own references. The Board must approve you first; approval is valid for 2 years.Source: test-takers.psiexams.com · as of · Approval: cca.hawaii.gov
Fees
  • Application (non-refundable): $40
  • Exam (paid to PSI): $95
Source: cca.hawaii.gov · as of · Exam fee: test-takers.psiexams.com More fees are due after approval and passing.
RenewalEvery 3 years. All electrician licenses renew by June 30 every 3 years (2026, 2029, 2032), whatever the issue date. $306 to renew on active status ($12 inactive). You can restore within 1 year after expiration for $406; after that you apply as a new applicant.Source: cca.hawaii.gov · as of
CE to renewActive electricians (except maintenance) must show they completed the Board's continuing competency course on NEC updates; for July 2023 to June 2026 it covered the 2020 NEC, through Honolulu Community College or the Hawaii Electricians Training Fund. One-time exemption if your license was issued within 1 year of expiration.Source: cca.hawaii.gov · as of

Supervising Electrician (ES)

Experience4 years of experience as a licensed journey worker electrician, or 4 years licensed as a journey worker or supervising electrician in another county, state or country with substantially equivalent requirements.Source: cca.hawaii.gov · as of
ExamPSI. Open book. 70 questions, 180 minutes, 70% to pass; PSI provides the 2020 NEC.Source: test-takers.psiexams.com · as of
Fees
  • Application (non-refundable): $40
  • Exam (paid to PSI): $95
Source: cca.hawaii.gov · as of
RenewalEvery 3 years. Same June 30 triennial renewal; $306 active.Source: cca.hawaii.gov · as of
CE to renewSame requirement as the journey worker license.Source: cca.hawaii.gov · as of

License types in Hawaii

  • Journey Worker Electrician (EJ)
  • Supervising Electrician (ES)
  • Journey Worker Industrial Electrician (EJI)
  • Supervising Industrial Electrician (ESI)
  • Journey Worker Specialty Electrician (EJS)
  • Supervising Specialty Electrician (ESS)
  • Maintenance Electrician (EM)
Source: cca.hawaii.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

None. Hawaii does not reciprocate with any jurisdiction; every applicant qualifies with the Board and passes Hawaii's exam. Out-of-state licensed time can count as experience for the supervising level.Source: cca.hawaii.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does Hawaii have a state journeyman electrician license?

Yes. The Journey Worker Electrician license needs 10,000 hours (5 years) of wiring experience plus 240 hours of approved coursework.

Is the Hawaii electrician exam open book?

Yes, but PSI provides the 2020 NEC at the test center. The exam has 70 questions in 180 minutes and you need 70%.

How much does it cost to apply for a Hawaii electrician license?

The application fee is $40 and the PSI exam costs $95.

Does Hawaii have electrician license reciprocity?

No. Hawaii does not reciprocate with any jurisdiction.

Already licensed? See Hawaii electrician license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.