How to get an HVAC contractor license in Hawaii: the official requirements
The C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning Contractor license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Hawaii Contractors License Board.
In Hawaii, the statewide HVAC license is a contractor license, issued by the Hawaii Contractors License Board. Hawaii licenses HVAC work at the contractor level: the C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning Contractor classification, issued by the Contractors License Board. It covers fabricating, assembling and installing warm-air heating and air cooling systems, complete ventilating systems and complete air conditioning systems, including heat pumps related to the air conditioning system. Experience and training: At least 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years before you apply, backed by at least 3 notarized experience certificates and a Chronological History of Projects form. Certain technical training may count, but never for more than one year of experience. You must be at least 18. Licensing exam: A written exam in two parts: Part I business and law, and Part II trade knowledge in the classification requested. It is given by the testing service Prometric; once the Board approves you, you register with Prometric and pay its exam fees. How to apply: Mail or deliver the application, fee and supporting documents (experience certificates, project list, financial statement, credit report, tax clearance and any trade name registration) to the Board's Honolulu office by the first Tuesday of the month before the Board meeting; faxed or emailed copies are not accepted. After you pass the exam, you submit the license requirements, including liability and workers' compensation insurance.
Hawaii HVAC contractor license requirements
| Requirement | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | Hawaii licenses HVAC work at the contractor level: the C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning Contractor classification, issued by the Contractors License Board. It covers fabricating, assembling and installing warm-air heating and air cooling systems, complete ventilating systems and complete air conditioning systems, including heat pumps related to the air conditioning system. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Hawaii Contractors License Board. |
| Experience and training | At least 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years before you apply, backed by at least 3 notarized experience certificates and a Chronological History of Projects form. Certain technical training may count, but never for more than one year of experience. You must be at least 18. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Hawaii Contractors License Board. |
| Licensing exam | A written exam in two parts: Part I business and law, and Part II trade knowledge in the classification requested. It is given by the testing service Prometric; once the Board approves you, you register with Prometric and pay its exam fees. |
| How to apply | Mail or deliver the application, fee and supporting documents (experience certificates, project list, financial statement, credit report, tax clearance and any trade name registration) to the Board's Honolulu office by the first Tuesday of the month before the Board meeting; faxed or emailed copies are not accepted. After you pass the exam, you submit the license requirements, including liability and workers' compensation insurance. |
| Background check | Applicants must have a good reputation for honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing, and submit a credit report. The application asks whether you have ever been convicted of a crime that has not been annulled or expunged. |
| State fees | Application fee: $50, non-refundable, for each application. License fees are charged after Board approval and passing the exam; exam fees are paid to the testing agency. |
| License term | Two years; all contractor licenses renew by September 30 of each even-numbered year. |
| Continuing education | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Hawaii Contractors License Board. |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the HVAC license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Hawaii
- Build at least 4 years of supervisory experience in ventilating and air conditioning work within the past 10 years.
- Collect at least 3 notarized experience certificates and complete the project list.
- File the application with the $50 fee and documents at the Board's Honolulu office by the first Tuesday of the month before a Board meeting.
- After Board approval, register with the testing agency and pass the business and law and trade exams.
- Submit the license requirements, including insurance, so the Board can issue the license.
- Renew by September 30 of each even-numbered year.
Go further
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Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Hawaii Contractors License Board (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Hawaii Contractors License Board's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the HVAC license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the contractor license named above. Specialty, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing, Contractors License Board: Requirements for License - Contractor, Sole Proprietor (CT-00(B), rev. 10/25), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Contractors License Board: Description of Contractor License Classifications, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.