There are two types of licensure for plumbers in Hawaii: a journey worker license (PJ), and a master plumber (PM).
To become a Master Plumber, you must complete two years of work as a licensed journey worker and pass the plumbers’ examination.
To be a journey worker plumber, you must complete 5 years with no less than 10,000 hours of plumbing work that is in compliance with the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) which can be performed through an apprenticeship by an employer with on-the-job training, or a union apprenticeship.
Hawaii plumbing licenses are issued by the State of Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
Phone: 808.587.3222
www.cca.hawaii.gov/pvl
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Hawaii Plumbing License Reciprocity
Hawaii does not have reciprocal agreements with any other states.
To work in Hawaii, all applicants must meet the same licensing and examination requirements.
Hawaii Plumbing License Requirements
You can make a choice between two types of plumbing licenses in the state of Hawaii.
To become a journey worker plumber you will need to have on-the-job training or work as an apprentice to earn the hours.
Upon gaining your journey worker license, you can start accumulating hours to become a master plumber.
The application for a plumbing license starts with filling out the plumbing sections of the application and filling out an experience verification application that must also be signed by your employer and notarized.
You are then supposed to submit the application, verification of experience, and the application fee of $40.00 to:
Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
Professional & Vocational Licensing Branch
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, Ki 96801
Plumbing Journeyman Exam
The first step is to submit a plumbing license application which has to be approved so that you are allowed to sit for an exam.
There are several locations where the Prometric exam is administered and your location options will be sent with the approval letter and an Examination Registration Form from the Professional & Vocational Licensing Division which has to be completed, including the examination fee of $90, and which should be sent directly to the testing contractor:
Prometric
345 Uluniu St., Suite 308
Kailua, HI 96734
The Hawaii Journeyman worker plumbing exam consists of 100 questions, it is a closed book exam and you will have 3 hours time to finish the test.
The questions are divided into the following categories:
- General Knowledge – 25 Questions
- Water Supply Systems – 20 Questions
- Drainage, Waste, Sanitary Vents – 20 Questions
- Size and Estimating – 10 Questions
- Medical and Fuel Gas Systems – 10 Questions
- Indirect and Special Waste – 10 Questions
- Building Sewers – 5 Questions
You can prepare for the Hawaii plumber exam by getting acquainted with the following subjects:
- Administration
- Definitions
- General Regulations
- Plumbing Math
- Fixtures, Faucets, and Fixture Fittings
- Water Heaters
- Water Supply and Distribution
- Sanitary Drainage
- Indirect and Special Waste
- Vents
- Traps, Interceptors, and Separators
- Storm Drainage
- Appendices
- Hands-On Practical Application
When coming to the examination place you should bring your admission letter from Prometric, a current, valid, government-issued photo identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, two sharpened pencils, and a silent, nonprinting, nonprogrammable calculator.
A score report will be mailed to you approximately 10 business days after your exam date.
After passing your exam, you will need to submit your license fees to the Board and you will be charged the following way:
- If licensed between July 1st & June 30th of the 1st year of the cycle (2021, 2024) – $306
- If licensed between July 1st & June 30th of the 2nd year of the cycle (2019, 2022, 2025) – $204
- If licensed between July 1st & June 30th of the 3rd year of the cycle (2023, 2026, 2029) – $102
Once all the requirements are met, a license will be issued to you, but have in mind the fact that all plumbing licenses must be renewed every three years along with proof of completing the continuing competency requirements with an approved and participating community college.
Hawaii Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
The state of Hawaii does not require licenses for plumbing apprenticeships, but you will need to meet some of the qualifications so as to start your journey towards the required 10,000 hours of experience to become a journey worker.
You will need to start your apprenticeship either via:
- A state-registered apprenticeship program from the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations Workforce Development Division
- With a union
- Via sponsored, on-the-job training with a licensed or member employer
- With an approved participating college
Hawaii Plumbing Apprentice Jobs
Some people have difficulties in finding the on-the-job experience as a plumbing apprentice.
We suggest that you utilize online job forums such as indeed.com, monster.com, ziprecruiter.com, simplyhired.com, or glassdoor.com.
Another option is to contact a sponsor with the Honolulu Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry by contacting the training coordinator at (808) 456-0585, or by visiting the United Association Union of plumbers, fitters, welders, & service techs webpage.
Finally, you may also contact a sponsor with the Associated Builders and Contractors Apprenticeship Committee by contacting the director of training at (808) 845-4887, or by visiting the Associated Builders and Contractors Hawaii Chapter website.
Plumbing Trade Schools in Hawaii
We consider it worth mentioning that the University of Hawaii Community College system is currently the only approved institution to teach plumbing apprenticeship or further education courses in accordance with the UPC.
Hawaii Professional License Search
When searching for on-the-job training, it is our suggestion to ensure that the company and the master or journey worker that you consider starting your job is licensed.
You may look up professional and vocational licenses in the state of Hawaii by utilizing the department of commerce and consumer affairs license search.
Salary
The salary of plumbers varies depending on numerous factors, such as level of education, development of the city they work in, the amount of work they perform, and the difficulty of the work as well.
The average plumber salary in Hawaii is $60,205, but as you can see in the following table, differences among major cities exist, even though they are not too exaggerated.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in Hawaii
City Name Salary Honolulu $59,826 Hilo $59,424 Kailua $59,826 Kaneohe $59,826 Waipahu $59,799 Pearl City $59,826 Ewa Beach $59,719 Mililani Town $59,719 Kahului $59,424 Kihei $59,424 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI 330 $75,700 $36.39 $104,660 $46,710 Urban Honolulu, HI 1,940 $75,060 $36.09 $107,430 $47,090
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
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