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How to get a Journey Worker Plumber license in Hawaii

Hawaii licenses plumbers statewide through the Board of Electricians and Plumbers.1 For the Journey Worker Plumber license you need at least 10,000 hours of on-the-job training2, a passing score on the Hawaii Journey Worker Plumber licensing examination (based on the Uniform Plumbing Code)2 and a criminal background check2. The board lists $40 for the application2, $306 for the initial license (Plumber license issued in the 1st year of the triennium)2 and $204 for the initial license (Plumber license issued in the 2nd year of the triennium)2, each a separate charge. You renew every 3 years3.

Last checked · 12 official sources

Who issues it

Board of Electricians and Plumbers

Training and experience

Experience: at least 10,000 hours of on-the-job training2

Exam

Hawaii Journey Worker Plumber licensing examination (based on the Uniform Plumbing Code)2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $402
Initial license fee (Plumber license issued in the 1st year of the triennium): $3062
Initial license fee (Plumber license issued in the 2nd year of the triennium): $2042
Initial license fee (Plumber license issued in the 3rd year of the triennium): $1022

Renewal

Every 3 years3

From another state

No reciprocity route2

On this page
  1. Hawaii plumber licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Journey Worker Plumber license
  4. Requirements for a Journey Worker Plumber license
  5. How to apply
  6. Renewal and continuing education
  7. Moving to Hawaii with a license from another state
  8. Master Plumber
  9. City and county rules
  10. Check a license or report a problem
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Common questions
  13. Plumber licenses in other states

Hawaii plumber licenses

Hawaii issues 2 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Journey Worker PlumberExperience 10,000 hours2Yes4$402
Master PlumberExperience 2 years2Yes4$402

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Hawaii plumber license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Background check
Background check required2
Applicants answering yes to the conviction question submit a statement, court documents and a Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center record check dated within 6 months (plus other states where convicted).2
Residency or citizenship
Applicants are asked whether they are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or alien authorized to work in the U.S.; no Hawaii residency requirement is stated.2
Social Security number
SSN required2
Also required
A plumber license does not allow contracting; a contractor license under HRS 444 is required (the FAQ notes a narrow exception for jobs of $1,000 or less with no permit).2

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$402Board of Electricians and PlumbersNot refundable. Effective October 10, 2016
Initial license fee$3062Board of Electricians and PlumbersPlumber license issued in the 1st year of the triennium (e.g. July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028); includes compliance resolution fund
Initial license fee$2042Board of Electricians and PlumbersPlumber license issued in the 2nd year of the triennium
Initial license fee$1022Board of Electricians and PlumbersPlumber license issued in the 3rd year of the triennium (current: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027)
Compliance resolution fund$1506Board of Electricians and PlumbersTriennial CRF; (annual CRF $50 for partial terms). Effective October 10, 2016
Service charge for dishonored payments$252Board of Electricians and Plumbers–

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI Services, LLC5, when you schedule.

How to apply

  1. File the Electrician and Plumber application (EP-01, check PJ or PM) with the $40 fee and supporting documents at least 7 days before a board meeting.2 Form (PDF, cca.hawaii.gov)7
  2. After board approval, register with PSI for the plumber exam (online or by phone).5
  3. Pass the exam, then pay the license fee for the current year of the plumber triennium.2
Processing time
Applications are reviewed at board meetings (usually February, April, June, August, October and December); exams are usually held the month after the meeting.2

Renewal

How often
Every 3 years3
When it expires
All plumber licenses expire June 30 every three years (2027, 2030, 2033); the current period is July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027. Renewals for 2027 are accepted May 10 to June 30, 2027.8
Renewal fee
$3066 (Triennial, active status)
Required topics
Proof of completing the continuing competency course on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) (stated for the July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027 period).8
Alternative under the PVL form: pass a board-prescribed examination on the current UPC updates.2
Approved courses
University of Hawaii Community Colleges (Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai); UH can send proof directly to the board, or the licensee submits the completion certificate.9
Exemptions
One-time exemption if the license was issued within one year of the expiration date; inactive licensees are not subject to the requirement.8
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $4066 (restoration within 1 year of expiration, active status)
Late renewal fee: $1123 (restoration within 1 year, inactive status)
Plumber (All) – inactive status (renewal): $123 (renewing on inactive status)
Reinstatement fee: $366 (returning an inactive license to active)
If it expires
An unrenewed license is forfeited; it can be restored within 1 year (renewal + $100 penalty, continuing competency met). After 1 year the person must apply as a new applicant (the board may waive re-examination for good reason).3
Licenses not renewed by the expiration date are unlicensed and may not practice.3

Who needs a Journey Worker Plumber license

Work that does not need this license:

  • Homeowners may make emergency plumbing repairs in their own principal residence if no valves, pipes or fixtures are rearranged; not on sewer lines, drains, gas lines or fixtures with backflow devices.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Other properly licensed contractors may do exterior piping five feet or more outside the building line without licensed plumbers.4

Requirements for a Journey Worker Plumber license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Experience
At least 10,000 hours of on-the-job training2
Plumbing work in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code as a journey worker's or master plumber's helper: 5 years full-time or equivalent, not less than 10,000 hours2
Supervision: Experience must be verified on a notarized Experience Verification – Plumber form by each licensed plumber who supervised the applicant (contractor-employer where the other state licenses only contractors; self-employed applicants with a contractor license may self-attest).10
Exam
Hawaii Journey Worker Plumber licensing examination (based on the Uniform Plumbing Code)2
Given by: PSI Services, LLC5
When you can take it: After the board approves the application (filed at least 7 days before a board meeting); approval letter is valid for 2 years.5
Time limit: Exam eligibility lasts 2 years from the approval letter; an application is abandoned after 2 consecutive years without progress.4
Also required
Apprentices, helpers and trainees need no license when supervised by a licensed journey worker or master plumber who is physically present at the project site.1

How to apply

  1. Have each licensed plumber who supervised you (or your contractor-employer, or yourself if self-employed with a contractor license) complete and notarize the Experience Verification – Plumber form (EP-02), listing hours by work process.2 Form (PDF, cca.hawaii.gov)7

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Hawaii Journey Worker Plumber license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Hawaii with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of Electricians and Plumbers publishes for the Journey Worker Plumber license. The other plumber licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity: Hawaii does not reciprocate with any jurisdiction; all applicants must meet the same requirements and pass the Hawaii exam.2
Conditions
Out-of-state experience counts if verified on the Experience Verification - Plumber form by a licensed plumber (or by the licensed contractor where the other state licenses only contractors); a License Verification form is needed from every jurisdiction where a license was held.10

Master Plumber

Requirements

Experience
At least 2 years2
Registered with the board as a journey worker plumber for at least 2 years, or equivalent experience in the trade (e.g. 2 years licensed as a journey worker or master plumber elsewhere)2
Supervision: Experience must be verified on a notarized Experience Verification – Plumber form by each licensed plumber who supervised the applicant (contractor-employer where the other state licenses only contractors; self-employed applicants with a contractor license may self-attest).10
License you must hold first: Journey Worker Plumber (PJ), held at least 2 years (or equivalent license elsewhere)11
Exam
Hawaii Master Plumber licensing examination (based on the Uniform Plumbing Code)2
Given by: PSI Services, LLC5
When you can take it: After the board approves the application (filed at least 7 days before a board meeting); approval letter is valid for 2 years.5
Time limit: Exam eligibility lasts 2 years from the approval letter; an application is abandoned after 2 consecutive years without progress.4

How to apply

  1. Document at least 2 years as a licensed Hawaii journey worker plumber, or equivalent licensed years elsewhere, with Experience Verification – Plumber (EP-02) and License Verification forms from other jurisdictions.2 Form (PDF, cca.hawaii.gov)7

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity: Hawaii does not reciprocate with any jurisdiction; all applicants must meet the same requirements and pass the Hawaii exam.2
Conditions
Out-of-state experience counts if verified on the Experience Verification - Plumber form by a licensed plumber (or by the licensed contractor where the other state licenses only contractors); a License Verification form is needed from every jurisdiction where a license was held.10
For Master Plumber, "equivalent experience" can be at least 2 years licensed as a journey worker or master plumber in another county, state or country with substantially equivalent requirements (the Hawaii exam is still required).2

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Journey Worker PlumberThe UPC with county amendments is the minimum standard for plumbing work; permits come from the county building departments.4

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a plumber in Hawaii, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Hawaii is on the Hawaii license lookup page.

Look up a license
mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov12
File a complaint
cca.hawaii.gov3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Journey Worker Plumber license in Hawaii?

The rules set at least 10,000 hours of on-the-job training2 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Applications are reviewed at board meetings (usually February, April, June, August, October and December); exams are usually held the month after the meeting.2

Can I transfer my plumber license to Hawaii?

No reciprocity: Hawaii does not reciprocate with any jurisdiction; all applicants must meet the same requirements and pass the Hawaii exam.2 Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Journey Worker Plumber license in Hawaii?

Every 3 years3. The renewal fee is $3066.

Plumber licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. HRS 448E-9 Unlicensed activityHawaii State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Electrician and Plumber License Requirements and Application (PVL form 2026-06)Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (Board of Electricians and Plumbers)Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Board of Electricians and Plumbers home pageDepartment of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (Board of Electricians and Plumbers)Checked November 7, 2026
  4. HAR Title 16 Chapter 80 Electricians and PlumbersDepartment of Commerce and Consumer AffairsDated October 22, 2007Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Electrician and Plumber Application Deadline and Examination DatesDepartment of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (Board of Electricians and Plumbers)Checked November 7, 2026
  6. HAR Title 16 Chapter 53 Fees (Oct 2016)Department of Commerce and Consumer AffairsDated October 10, 2016Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Application Forms and PublicationsDepartment of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (Board of Electricians and Plumbers)Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Plumber Continuing Competency RequirementsHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Electricians and PlumbersChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Board of Electricians and Plumbers FAQsDepartment of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (Board of Electricians and Plumbers)Checked November 7, 2026
  10. Experience Verification - Plumber Only (EP-02)Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Electricians and PlumbersChecked November 7, 2026
  11. HRS 448E-5 Minimum requirementsHawaii State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  12. MyPVLHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing DivisionChecked November 7, 2026