Hawaii C-52 Painting Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Hawaii Contractors License Board (CLB) within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Professional and Vocational Licensing Division issues the C-52 Painting and Decorating specialty license under HRS Chapter 444. Any painting contracting in Hawaii — regardless of project value — requires either the C-52 specialty license or a broader Class B General Building or Class A General Engineering classification. The Responsible Managing Employee (RME) must demonstrate four years of supervisory experience and pass the PSI trade and business and law examinations. Every Hawaii contractor must also hold a State General Excise Tax (GET) license.

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

The federal EPA Lead RRP Rule applies in every state — including Hawaii — to renovation, repair, or painting that disturbs paint in housing built before 1978. See our complete EPA RRP Lead Certification guide for who needs firm and renovator certification, what it costs, and how renewal works.

Regulatory Body Profile

Licensing for this trade is governed by Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs — Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Contractors License Board (DCCA-PVL), the agency that issues and regulates the credential under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444; Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 16 Chapter 77. The Contractors License Board licenses Class A General Engineering, Class B General Building, and Class C Specialty contractors statewide. The DCCA-PVL Board of Electricians and Plumbers separately licenses individual electricians and plumbers.

Official portal: https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/contractor/
Address: King Kalakaua Building, 335 Merchant Street, Room 301, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 586-3000

The Eligibility Audit

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Hawaii residency requirement, but the RME must be a bona fide employee of the licensed entity.

Good moral character

CLB reviews criminal history under HRS §444-9. Felonies are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory disclosure of criminal history and prior license discipline on the application.

Experience and Education Standards

The experience bar is four years of full-time supervisory experience in painting and decorating within the last ten years; the RME must have served at journey level or above, and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

CLB Experience Verification Form signed by former employers or licensed contractors
W-2 statements, 1099 records, or payroll documentation covering the qualifying period
Itemized project list with addresses, scope, and contract values

Education substitution

Approved trade school or apprenticeship may substitute for up to two years of supervisory experience under HAR §16-77-32.

The Exam Syllabus

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC (under contract to DCCA CLB). The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

Hawaii Business and Law Examination (open book) — 80 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 75%
C-52 Painting and Decorating Trade Examination — 60 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $75 per exam section paid to PSI on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Each section may be retaken individually after re-registration with PSI. Application validity is one year from filing.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

Hawaii does not set a statutory GL minimum, but commercial owners and the State Procurement Office require $1,000,000/$2,000,000 minimums.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory in Hawaii for any business with one or more employees under HRS Chapter 386.

Additional financial requirements

CLB requires evidence of financial responsibility: minimum $2,500 in working capital plus a financial statement disclosure on the application.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$50
Examination	$150
Initial license	$360
Renewal (every 2 years)	$360

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Hawaii C-52 Painting and Decorating Specialty Contractor License runs on a 2 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $360. C-52 licenses renew on the September 30 biennial cycle. Lapsed licenses incur restoration fees and may require re-examination.

Continuing education: Hawaii CLB does not require continuing education for C-52 painting licenses, but the RME must remain a bona fide employee.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Hawaii Painting License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Hawaii does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

Hawaii does not maintain general reciprocity for painting licenses. Out-of-state painters must complete the full C-52 application, including both PSI examinations.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Painting license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

Document four years of supervisory painting experience. Compile CLB Experience Verification Forms signed by employers, payroll records, and a project list.
Designate the Responsible Managing Employee (RME). The RME must be a bona fide employee actively supervising the painting work.
Submit the C-52 application to DCCA CLB. File the application with $50 application fee and financial statement.
Pass both PSI examinations at 75%. Score 75% or better on both the Business and Law (open book) and C-52 trade exams.
Obtain a Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license. Register with the Hawaii Department of Taxation; the GET number must appear on every contract.
Procure workers compensation and TDI insurance. Hawaii requires both workers comp and Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) for employees.
Complete EPA Lead-Safe Firm Certification. Required nationwide for pre-1978 housing under 40 CFR Part 745.
Receive C-52 license and renew biennially. CLB issues the license after all conditions met. Renew every two years on the September 30 cycle.

Pre-Application Checklist

Before submitting to DCCA-PVL, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ Four years documented supervisory painting experience
☐ Designated Responsible Managing Employee (RME)
☐ CLB application with $50 fee and financial statement
☐ PSI Business and Law exam pass at 75%
☐ PSI C-52 trade exam pass at 75%
☐ Hawaii GET license from Department of Taxation
☐ Workers compensation and TDI policies
☐ EPA Lead-Safe Firm Certification

Where Applications Stall

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Hawaii Painting application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Operating without a GET license

CLB will not issue or renew a contractor license without an active Hawaii General Excise Tax license. The GET number must be printed on every contract.

RME not a bona fide employee

Hawaii audits RME status. Renting an RME or using a non-employee qualifier is grounds for immediate revocation under HRS §444-9.

Failing the 75% threshold

Hawaii requires 75% passing on both PSI exams — higher than the 70% standard in most states. Plan study time accordingly.

Skipping TDI alongside workers comp

Hawaii uniquely requires Temporary Disability Insurance in addition to workers comp for any employee.

Salt-air coating failures without specifications

Hawaii's marine environment causes accelerated coating failure. Document manufacturer-specified primers and topcoats in writing to avoid disputes.

Recommended Study Materials

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

Hawaii Contractor's Reference Manual (PSI Candidate Bulletin) — PSI / DCCA CLB. Content outline for the Hawaii Business and Law and C-52 trade exams.
PDCA Painting and Decorating Craftsman's Manual — PDCA. Trade exam reference for surface preparation and coatings.
EPA Lead-Safe Work Practices Student Manual — US EPA. Required for the RRP Renovator initial course.

Other Hawaii Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional Hawaii trades; the published ones are listed here:

Common Questions

Does Hawaii require a state license to paint?

Yes. The C-52 Painting and Decorating specialty license is required for all painting contracting in Hawaii regardless of contract value under HRS §444-9.

What is the C-52 passing score?

Both the Business and Law and the C-52 trade exam require a 75% passing score — higher than most mainland boards.

Do I need a Hawaii General Excise Tax license?

Yes. Every Hawaii contractor must hold a GET license issued by the Hawaii Department of Taxation. The GET number must appear on every written contract.

Is EPA Lead RRP required?

Yes. EPA RRP applies in Hawaii for any pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facility. Hawaii has limited pre-1978 stock but plantation-era homes still trigger the rule.

Does Hawaii reciprocate painting licenses?

No. Hawaii does not maintain reciprocity for the C-52. Out-of-state painters must complete both PSI exams and meet the four-year experience requirement.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-06-17 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-15