Like any other state in the US, contractors need to obtain a license to work in Hawaii. Whether it is general contractors, electricians, or plumbers, obtaining a license to work is crucial.
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumers Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing Division regulates these licenses.
Can licensed plumbers from other states work in Hawaii?
License reciprocity is a term used to describe an agreement between two states. Through this agreement, states allow licensed contractors from other states to work without getting new licenses.
The State of Hawaii does not have such agreements with any other states within the US. Therefore, all contractors, including plumbers, must meet the same licensing and examination requirements.
How to get a plumbing license in Hawaii?
The State of Hawaii has two types of plumbing licenses. These include the journey worker license (PJ) and the master plumber license (PM).
Prospective plumbers can obtain relevant plumbing training or work as an apprentice. It will allow them to accumulate the working hour requirements to become a journey worker and master plumber.
Plumbers must fill out the plumbing sections of the required application from the State of Hawaii. The application has a specific portion for plumbers, which they must fill out. Similarly, they must also complete the experience verification application.
The plumber must ask their employer to sign and notarize the experience verification portion of the application.
Once they complete the application and experience verification, plumbers must submit them to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. They must also submit an application fee of $40 with the application.
Apprenticeship
Prospective plumbers in Hawaii can undergo an apprenticeship to accumulate the relevant experience to get a license. However, it is not a requirement from the state to go through such a program.
Plumbers can also show other relevant work experience to get a license. However, the State of Hawaii requires at least 10,000 hours of experience from plumbers to get their journey worker license.
Therefore, an apprenticeship can be significantly helpful with that.
Apprenticeship programs usually have some requirements from prospective plumbers. They can get their work experience from one of the following relevant sources.
- Enroll in a state-registered apprenticeship program from the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations Workforce Development Division.
- Work with a union.
- Get sponsored, on-the-job training with a licensed or member employer.
- Enroll with an approved participating college.
Journey Worker (PJ) Plumbing License
Prospective plumbers must complete five years of work experience, having at least 10,000 hours of relevant plumbing experience. Their work should comply with the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).
As mentioned, plumbers can accumulate the required work experience from various sources. Once they get the experience, they must submit a plumbing license application. The application must be approved to allow plumbers to sit for the exam.
Several Prometric exam centers journey work licenses from which candidates can choose. Plumbers must also pay a $90 fee, which they must send directly to the testing contractor.
Once they get approval, they can sit for the journey work test. The test is a closed-book exam, consisting of 100 questions. The time limit for the test is 3 hours.
The test evaluates a candidate’s general knowledge along with other plumbing-related skills. After taking the test, the candidate will get their score report approximately ten business days after their exam date.
After passing the test, plumbers can get their licenses. However, they must renew the license every three years.
They also need to submit proof of completing the competency requirements with an approved or participating community college.
Master (PM) Plumbing License
When journey work plumbers complete two years of work experience, they can get a master plumber license.
It allows them to work without any restrictions and supervision. They must also take the master’s license exam and pass it to get their master plumbing license. The master plumbing license also allows plumbers to operate their plumbing business.
Getting the master plumbing license is similar to the journey worker. Plumbers need to submit an application and get approved to sit for the exam. However, unlike the journey work test, the master exam only has 80 questions.
Summary
Below is a summary of the requirements to get a plumbing license in Hawaii.
Journey Worker
- Have 10,000 hours (or five years) of relevant experience.
- Provide proof of the experience.
- Apply to sit for the exam.
- Pay a $90 fee for the exam.
- Take the test and pass it.
Master
- Have seven years of relevant work experience. It must include at least two years of work experience as a journey worker.
- Take the master’s exam and pass it.
- Other requirements are similar to journey workers for submitting applications.