Contractor License from Hawaii to Nevada: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Nevada State Contractors Board ↗
Yes — Nevada has a reciprocity arrangement covering Hawaii license holders. Apply to the Nevada State Contractors Board under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
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Verdict
Reciprocity agreement
Nevada has a trade agreement covering Hawaii — but read it at the trade-and-class level before celebrating. The agreement waives Nevada's exam for the specific trade and class named in the table below; your other licenses may not be covered. What survives for every applicant: Nevada's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration. Confirm your exact trade and class against the Nevada State Contractors Board listing.
What changes, Hawaii → Nevada
| Hawaii (current) | Nevada (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Application and license fees set by the board; no reciprocity fee (no reciprocity offered) | Application/investigation fee is published on the board Forms and Applications page; bond and financial review additional. Not captured here to avoid an unverified figure. |
| Processing time | Not stated in statute | Not published as a fixed range. |
| Licensing authority | Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing) | Nevada State Contractors Board |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Nevada sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Nevada's current requirements on the Nevada State Contractors Board website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity application to the Nevada State Contractors Board (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an active license with the same qualified individual in the endorsing state for the past four (4) years.
- No license revocation, discipline, or pending proceedings in any jurisdiction.
- Have the endorsing state complete the Request for Verification of License form.
- Pass the Nevada Business and Law examination.
- Provide a financial statement and bond appropriate to the license limit.
- Pay the fees (Application/investigation fee is published on the board Forms and Applications page; bond and financial review additional. Not captured here to avoid an unverified figure.) and allow Not published as a fixed range..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Nevada accept a Hawaii contractor license?
Yes — Nevada has a reciprocity arrangement covering Hawaii license holders. Apply to the Nevada State Contractors Board under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Nevada's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Hawaii-to-Nevada move cost and how long does it take?
Application/investigation fee is published on the board Forms and Applications page; bond and financial review additional. Not captured here to avoid an unverified figure.; processing Not published as a fixed range..
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether Nevada is one on the Nevada State Contractors Board site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Nevada State Contractors Board - Licensure by Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- HRS Sec. 444-9 (Licenses required) and Sec. 444-11 (No license issued when) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- HRS Sec. 444-11 (application, experience and qualification requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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