The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing Division regulates licensure for vocational trades including general contracting, licensed electricians, and licensed plumbers. There are two types of licensure for plumbers in Hawaii: a journey worker license (PJ), and a master plumber (PM). Becoming licensed as a plumber requires years/hours of plumbing work in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).
Hawaii Plumbing License Reciprocity
Hawaii does not have reciprocal agreements with any other states. All applicants must meet the same licensing and examination requirements.
Hawaii Plumbing License Requirements
There are two types of plumbing licenses in the state of Hawaii. You may seek on-the-job training or work as an apprentice to earn the hours to become a journey worker plumber. Once you have gained your journey worker license, you may begin accumulating hours to become a master plumber.
To apply for a plumbing license, you must fill out the plumbing sections of the application. You must also fill out an experience verification application that must also be signed by your employer and notarized.
Submit the application, verification of experience, and the application fee of $40.00 to:
Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
Professional & Vocational Licensing Branch
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, Ki 96801
For more information contact (808) 586-3000.
Master Plumber
A master plumber (MP) must complete two years (or equivalent) work as a licensed journey worker. You must also pass the plumbers’ examination.
Journeyman Plumber
A journey worker plumber (PJ) must complete 5 years with no less than 10,000 hours of plumbing work that is in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). This plumbing work may be performed through an apprenticeship by an employer with on-the-job training, or a union apprenticeship.
Hawaii Plumbing Exam
Once a plumbing license application has been approved, you will be sent an Examination Registration Form from the Professional & Vocational Licensing Division. This form must be completed, including the examination fee of $90, and sent directly to the testing contractor:
Prometric
345 Uluniu St., Suite 308
Kailua, HI 96734
For more information, contact (808) 261-8182, or visit their website at www.prometric.com/hawaii.
Once the exam is passed, license fees will be due. License fees rotate along the triennium of licensure as follows:
- 2020: $102;
- 2021: $306;
- 2022: $204;
- 2023: $102;
- 2024: $306;
- 2025: $204;
- 2026: $102.
All plumbing licenses must be renewed every three years along with proof of completing the continuing competency requirements with an approved and participating community college.
Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
The state of Hawaii does not require licenses for plumbing apprenticeships. You may work towards the required 10,000 hours of experience to become a journey worker plumber by completing:
- A state-registered apprenticeship program from the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations Workforce Development Division;
- With a union
- Via sponsored, on-the-job training with a licensed or member employer
- Or with an approved participating college.
Hawaii Plumbing Apprentice Jobs
To find the on-the-job experience as a plumbing apprentice, you can utilize online job forums such as indeed.com, monster.com, ziprecruiter.com, simplyhired.com, or glassdoor.com. Search by using the terms “plumber apprentice” or “plumber helper.”
You may also contact a sponsor with the Honolulu Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry by contacting the training coordinator at (808) 456-0585, or by visiting the United Association Union of plumbers, fitters, welders, & service techs webpage.
You may also contact a sponsor with the Associated Builders and Contractors Apprenticeship Committee by contacting the director of training at (808) 845-4887, or by visiting the Associated Builders and Contractors Hawaii Chapter website.
Plumbing Trade Schools in Hawaii
The University of Hawaii Community College system is currently the only approved institution to teach plumbing apprenticeship or further education courses in accordance with the UPC. For more information on available and approved plumbing courses and locations, contact Honolulu Community College, or the University of Hawaii Community College offices of continuing education.
Hawaii Professional License Search
When searching for on-the-job training, it is important to ensure that the company and the master or journey worker that is overseeing you is licensed. You may look up professional and vocational licenses in the state of Hawaii by utilizing the department of commerce and consumer affairs license search.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a Plumbing Contractor in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Hawaii, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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