Plumber License from Hawaii to New York: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) ↗
No — New York has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Hawaii plumbing license holders. You must apply to the No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) as a new applicant and meet New York's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
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Verdict
Full re-application
There is nothing at the state level to transfer your Hawaii license into: New York issues no statewide plumbing license, so plumbers there are licensed at the contractor level or by cities and counties. Not applicable at the state level — New York issues no statewide plumber license, so there is no state journeyman exam to waive or transfer. Each municipality (e.g., New York City) sets and administers its own plumber licensing and exams and generally does not recognize licenses issued by other jurisdictions.. The move is a local or contractor-board application, not a reciprocity filing — identify the authority that governs your worksite and work from its exam, experience, and fee rules. Your Hawaii license may count toward a local experience requirement, but New York has no state credential for it to reciprocate into.
What changes, Hawaii → New York
| Hawaii (current) | New York (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $130–$436 ($40 application + $90 examination = $130 to apply; the triennial license fee is prorated $102-$306 depending on the year of the triennium in which the license is issued (billed on approval; a license issued in calendar 2026 falls in the 3rd year = $102). Same fees for all applicants — no reduced reciprocity fee. Figures from the DCCA Electricians & Plumbers FAQ) | Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., the New York City Master Plumber written-exam application (LIC41) fee is $525, with a separate practical-exam application (LIC42) — other cities/counties differ |
| Processing time | No board-stated processing time in weeks; examinations are scheduled periodically and licensure follows passing the exam | No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority |
| Licensing authority | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing — Board of Electricians and Plumbers | No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New York sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review New York's initial-licensure requirements on the No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) website (linked below).
- Expect to meet New York'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 (Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., the New York City Master Plumber written-exam application (LIC41) fee is $525, with a separate practical-exam application (LIC42) — other cities/counties differ).
- Allow No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New York accept a Hawaii plumbing license?
No — New York has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Hawaii plumbing license holders. You must apply to the No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) as a new applicant and meet New York's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
Which exam applies moving from Hawaii to New York?
Not applicable at the state level — New York issues no statewide plumber license, so there is no state journeyman exam to waive or transfer. Each municipality (e.g., New York City) sets and administers its own plumber licensing and exams and generally does not recognize licenses issued by other jurisdictions..
What does the Hawaii-to-New York move cost and how long does it take?
Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., the New York City Master Plumber written-exam application (LIC41) fee is $525, with a separate practical-exam application (LIC42) — other cities/counties differ; processing No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority.
Can I keep my Hawaii plumbing license after I'm licensed in New York?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the Hawaii credential active on its own renewal and continuing-education schedule and you hold both, which is common for plumbers working near a state line.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Master Plumber License (7-yr experience, written+practical exams, $525 LIC41 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Journeyman Plumber Registration ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Hawaii DCCA — Electricians & Plumbers FAQ (reciprocity 'No'; PJ 5yr/10,000hr; application $40, exam $90, license fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Hawaii DCCA — Board of Electricians and Plumbers (board page, renewal fees, license search) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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