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How to become a plumber in Hawaii

The license steps in Hawaii, from apprentice to master or contractor, taken from the official licensing pages – plus pay, apprenticeships and where to apply.

The short answer

In Hawaii you need at least 5 years and 10,000 hours of plumbing work under the Uniform Plumbing Code to sit for the journey worker plumber exam, then 2 years as a licensed journey worker to qualify for the master plumber license.

The steps in Hawaii

  1. 1

    Start as an apprentice

    The official pages we checked do not set out a separate apprentice registration in Hawaii. Most plumbers still start in an apprenticeship – see below. Ask the licensing office for the current rule.

  2. 2

    Earn your journeyman (first independent) license

    The journey worker plumber license requires at least 5 years and no fewer than 10,000 hours of plumbing work done in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code, plus a state exam.

  3. 3

    Master or contractor license

    The master plumber license requires 2 years of experience as a licensed journey worker plumber (or equivalent) and an exam.

  4. 4

    Keep your license current

    Plumber licenses renew every three years by June 30, and renewal requires completing a continuing competency course on the current Uniform Plumbing Code (2021 UPC for the July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027 period).

Who licenses plumbers in Hawaii

Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division). License types we found: Journey Worker Plumber, Master Plumber.

Official application page

Already licensed? Anyone can check a license on mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov.

Licensed in another state?

Hawaii has no reciprocity; every applicant must meet the same licensing and exam requirements.

Finding an apprenticeship

Most plumbers learn the trade through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year plus classroom instruction, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeships are paid jobs with progressive wage increases, classroom instruction and a portable, nationally recognized credential; programs are approved by the Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. Search programs at apprenticeship.gov, or ask local plumbing contractors and union locals.

Pay and job outlook

$63,800

Median yearly pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, May 2025 (BLS).

7%

Projected job growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 42,000 openings a year (BLS).

4-5 years

Typical apprenticeship, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training a year (BLS).

National figures from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook; pay varies by state and city.

Already a plumber in Hawaii?

20 plumbing businesses are listed on Plumbers Pages so far. Add your business free, or see plumbers in Hawaii.

Sources

Requirements come from Hawaii’s official licensing pages and statutes, checked October 2026. Rules change – confirm with the licensing office before you apply.

  1. cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP-FAQs_07-18.pdf
  2. cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CLB-190718-Hiring-Electricians
  3. cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/contractor/
  4. cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DescriptionofContractorLicense
  5. mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov/public-license-search/
  6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
  7. U.S. Department of Labor – Apprenticeship.gov for career seekers

General information, not legal advice. All states · How we write our guides

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