Contractor License from Texas to Hawaii: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing) ↗
Hawaii does not offer contractor reciprocity with any state. Expect a full application to the Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing), including Hawaii's exams.
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Verdict
No reciprocity offered
Hawaii recognizes no state's contractor license, so coming from Texas changes nothing — it is a full application either way. The practical plan: identify which Hawaii license class matches your work, book the business/law and trade exams, and prepare the financial statement and bond early. Nothing about your Texas license is wasted, but none of it substitutes for Hawaii's process.
What changes, Texas → Hawaii
| Texas (current) | Hawaii (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $30–$115 (Fees differ by agency and trade: TDLR journeyman electrician $30 and master electrician $45; TSBPE reciprocal license verification $40 non-refundable, plus the IdentoGO fingerprint fee; TDLR ACR out-of-state application $115. There is no state general-contractor license fee because Texas does not license general contractors.) | Application and license fees set by the board; no reciprocity fee (no reciprocity offered) |
| Processing time | No single figure applies. TSBPE states a reciprocal plumbing license arrives by US mail within 30 days of the completed online application and payment; TDLR publishes no processing time for electrician or ACR reciprocity. | Not stated in statute |
| Licensing authority | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (electricians, air conditioning and refrigeration) and Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (plumbers); no state general-contractor license | Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Hawaii sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Hawaii's initial-licensure requirements on the Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing) website (linked below).
- Expect to meet Hawaii's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees (Application and license fees set by the board; no reciprocity fee (no reciprocity offered)).
- Allow Not stated in statute.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Hawaii accept a Texas contractor license?
Hawaii does not offer contractor reciprocity with any state. Expect a full application to the Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing), including Hawaii's exams.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Hawaii's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Texas-to-Hawaii move cost and how long does it take?
Application and license fees set by the board; no reciprocity fee (no reciprocity offered); processing Not stated in statute.
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 Hawaii is one on the Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing) site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- 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)
- TDLR — Transfer Your Out-of-State Electrician License to Texas (master and journeyman reciprocal states; $45/$30 fees; hour requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TDLR — Licensing Reciprocity for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Georgia and South Carolina license-to-class mapping) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TDLR — Out of State Applicants, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration ($115 fee; insurance minimums; exam may still be required) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TSBPE — Reciprocal License Verification Request (Louisiana and Arkansas only; $40 fee; IdentoGO fingerprints; per-state conditions) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TSBPE — Reciprocal License Agreement with Louisiana (~30 days by mail) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]