Hawaii Solar Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Hawaii issues a dedicated solar classification through the DCCA Contractors License Board under HRS §444. The C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor authorizes assembly and installation of PV panels, batteries, controls, and related low-voltage DC wiring only — essentially everything above the roof. Below-roof high-voltage tie-in, service entrance, and panel work require a C-13 Electrical Contractor subcontractor. Solar hot water is a separate C-61a Solar Hot Water Systems classification, and combined heating/cooling solar uses C-61b. Hawaii has the highest solar penetration in the US and HECO/KIUC interconnection programs effectively require NABCEP PV Installation Professional.

Regulatory Oversight

Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444; Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 16 Chapter 77, Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs — Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Contractors License Board (DCCA-PVL) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. 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

Who May Apply

To qualify, an applicant must have reached age 18 and hold a valid Social Security Number. No Hawaii residency requirement.

Good moral character

Board reviews criminal history.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Required Experience and Education

Eligibility requires four years of supervisory experience in solar power systems within the last ten years, documented and independently verifiable. Payroll, tax, project, and supervisor records are the usual proof the board will accept.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Board experience verification forms signed by Hawaii C-60 contractors
Certified payroll covering the qualifying period
NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification (counts toward experience)

Education substitution

NABCEP and related trade school credit count toward the experience requirement.

Examination Requirements

Examinations are administered by Prometric (under contract to the Board). The applicant must pass the following examination parts before the license can issue:

Hawaii C-60 Solar Power Systems Trade Examination — 80 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 75%
Hawaii Business and Law Examination — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $75 per part.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be retaken individually after 30 days.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

The cited state source set does not require a contractor license surety bond for this credential. Contractors should still confirm project-specific bond, permit-bond, or public-works bond requirements before bidding.

General liability

Board requires commercial general liability insurance appropriate to the C-60 scope of work.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under HRS §386 for any business with employees.

Additional financial requirements

Board reviews financial capacity during application review.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$200
Examination	$150
Initial license	$200
Renewal (every 2 years)	$200

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the Hawaii Contractors License Board C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor comes due every 2 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $200. Hawaii C-60 licenses renew every two years on September 30 of even years.

Continuing education: No state CE requirement for C-60.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by Hawaii for this classification.

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

Hawaii does not reciprocate with any state for contractor licensing. NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is the industry credential of choice but does not substitute for state licensure.

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

Application Process, Step by Step

Document four years of supervisory solar experience. Compile Board verification forms and payroll records from within the last ten years.
Submit the C-60 application. File with the application fee and financial information.
Pass the C-60 trade and business and law exams at 75%. Prometric administers both.
File the certificate of insurance. CGL scaled to scope of work.
Receive the C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor license. Board issues the credential after exam pass.
Earn NABCEP certification. Strongly recommended for HECO/KIUC interconnection approval.
Pull county building and electrical permits per project. Each Hawaii county requires local permits and inspections.

Recommended References

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
HRS §444 — State of Hawaii. Statutory framework.
Prometric Hawaii C-60 Candidate Information Bulletin — Prometric. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Frequent Application Errors

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Hawaii Solar filing.

Assuming C-60 covers below-roof electrical

C-60 stops at the panels, batteries, controls, and low-voltage DC wiring. All high-voltage tie-in, service entrance, and main panel work must be subbed to a C-13 Electrical Contractor.

Skipping NABCEP

Hawaii utilities effectively require NABCEP for interconnection approval.

Missing the September 30 renewal

All Hawaii contractor licenses renew on September 30 of even years.

Letting workers compensation lapse

Mandatory for any business with employees.

Underestimating county permit delays

Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai all have their own permit queues.

Document Checklist

The items below are the ones worth confirming before the application is filed with DCCA-PVL:

☐ Four years of supervisory solar experience
☐ C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor application
☐ Pass trade and business and law exams at 75%+
☐ Commercial general liability insurance
☐ Workers' compensation coverage
☐ County building and electrical permits per project
☐ NABCEP certification (strongly recommended)

Other Hawaii Trade Licenses

Should the Solar path not apply, these other Hawaii trade guides from CLR may help:

Questions Applicants Ask

Does Hawaii have a solar license?

Yes. The C-60 Solar Power Systems Contractor license is issued by the Contractors License Board.

Is NABCEP required?

No, but HECO and KIUC effectively require it for interconnection approval on most projects.

Does C-60 cover electrical work?

No. C-60 only covers PV panels, batteries, controls, and low-voltage DC wiring. All high-voltage / below-roof tie-in needs a C-13 Electrical Contractor subcontract.

What about solar thermal?

C-60 does not cover it. Hawaii has dedicated C-61a Solar Hot Water and C-61b Solar Heating & Cooling classifications.

Does Hawaii reciprocate?

No. Hawaii does not reciprocate with any state.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-12 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-10