Last updated: March 2026

Hawaii’s unique geography and aggressive push toward renewable energy and modernized infrastructure have created robust demand for skilled electrical professionals. Whether you are a high school graduate seeking a stable career or a professional transitioning into a trade, becoming a licensed electrician in the Aloha State offers a path to financial stability and community impact.

This guide provides a detailed, up-to-date roadmap for 2026, covering everything from apprenticeship requirements and licensing tiers to examination fees and regulatory compliance.

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In Hawaii, electrical work is strictly regulated by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) under the Board of Electricians and Plumbers. Licensing is designed to ensure safety and competency across the islands.

Before you begin your journey, you must decide which “tier” of licensing matches your career goals. Hawaii offers several distinct license types, each with specific experience and education requirements.

• Journey Worker Electrician (EJ): This is the standard license for professionals performing residential and commercial wiring. It is the most common goal for new apprentices.
• Journey Worker Industrial Electrician (EJI): Focused on industrial settings, such as power plants or large-scale manufacturing facilities.
• Journey Worker Specialty Electrician (EJS): Covers specific areas like electronic equipment, sound systems, and low-voltage wiring.
• Maintenance Electrician (EM): This license allows for the maintenance of existing electrical systems but typically limits the licensee from installing new systems or major alterations.
• Supervising Electrician (ES/ESI/ESS): These are advanced licenses for those who have held a Journey Worker license for 2-4 years (depending on the license) and wish to supervise other electricians.

For the sake of this guide, we will focus on the path to becoming a Journey Worker Electrician (EJ). All license types follow a very similar arc, so be sure to check the links to see what unique elements they may require.

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Before you can apply for an apprenticeship or enroll in a formal program, you must meet the following baseline requirements:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Education: A high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate is mandatory.
• Mathematical Proficiency: Most apprenticeship programs require proof of at least one year of high school Algebra with a passing grade. If you lack this, you may need to complete a remedial “Tech Math” course.
• Physical Fitness: The trade is physically demanding, involving climbing ladders, working in confined spaces, and lifting heavy equipment.

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Hawaii does not allow individuals to “challenge” the exam with self-taught knowledge. You must prove a combination of on-the-job training (OJT) and formal classroom instruction.

For the standard EJ license, the state requires:

• Experience: A minimum of five years (10,000 hours) of full-time electrical work experience under the supervision of a licensed Journey Worker or Supervising Electrician.
• Education: Completion of 240 hours of electrical academic coursework administered or approved by a University of Hawaii Community College.

Most aspiring electricians fulfill their classroom hours through the University of Hawaii Community College system. These programs offer the “Electrical Installation and Maintenance Technology” (EIMT) curriculum:

• Honolulu Community College: The primary hub for electrical training on Oahu.
• Hawaii Community College: Serving the Big Island.
• Kaua‘i Community College: Offering trade certificates for Kauai residents.

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You have two primary routes to gain your 10,000 hours of experience: the union apprenticeship or the “merit shop” (non-union) route.

The Hawaii Electricians Training Fund (HETF), in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1186, offers one of the most structured programs in the state.

• Benefits: High wages, comprehensive health benefits, and a built-in pension. The program manages your job placement and ensures your 240 hours of schooling are integrated into your schedule.
• Downsides: Union jobs are very competitive, and application opportunities come and go. Be prepared to jump for your chance at the right moment!
• Apprenticeship Requirements:
  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must have a high school diploma or GED, with evidence that you have passed Algebra I or its equivalent.
  • Pass the NJATC Aptitude Test.
  • Pay a non-refundable $33 application fee.
  • See all details at the HETF link above.

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Hawaii Chapter provides an alternative for those working for non-union, or “merit-based”, contractors.

• Benefits: Flexibility to work for various private employers while completing the same state-mandated apprenticeship standards.
• Downsides: You are often responsible for finding your own employer first, who then sponsors your apprenticeship through ABC. You are your own advocate, rather than a union rep.
• Apprenticeship: ABC offers registered apprenticeship programs with both the Federal government and the State of Hawaii. Requirements include:
  • All applicants must be 18 years or older.
  • Must have a high school diploma or equivalent, Board of Education certified GED.
  • Must also show proof of successful completion of high school Algebra or better.
  • In addition to on-the-job training provided by the employer, apprentices must attend classes two nights a week.

Five years is a long time to just be an apprentice electrician, but remember: you will be paid for your time. You are an employee-in-training, so you’re not only not going into debt, you’re improving your skillset and earning a nice income. It’s a win-win!

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Once you have completed your five years of experience and 240 hours of schooling, you can apply to the Board to take the licensing exam. Before you sit it, our free NEC practice test is a low-stakes way to see how quickly you can find answers in the 2023 NEC.

You must provide “satisfactory evidence” of your work and education history. For your work hours, this is done through the Experience Verification Form, which must be signed by your supervising licensed electrician and notarized. Hawaii is strict about verifying that your 10,000 hours were spent on actual electrical tasks rather than general labor.

For your classroom hours, you must provide some form of verification of completion of a University of Hawaii Community College System-approved course. Contact your instructor or school for more details.

The application must be submitted to the Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) division. The DCCA provides an online portal to handle all licensing needs; go to https://mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov/ to create your account. They also provide the physical address on the site’s main page, in case you need to deliver a hard copy.

• Form: Application for Exam & License – Electrician (Form EB-01).
• Deadlines: The Board meets once a month. To be considered for a meeting, your application must usually be received by the first Tuesday of the preceding month.

As of 2026, the fee structure for the initial application is:

• Application Fee: $40.00 (Non-refundable).
• License Fee: Varies by the year of the triennium you are licensed in (see the “Triennium System” section below).

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In a major shift for 2026, the Hawaii DCCA has transitioned its testing vendor for trade exams to PSI Services LLC. Previously, exams were handled by Prometric.

• Format: Open-book, multiple-choice.
• Content: Currently, the exam is based on the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), and that is the only reference material allowed during the test. Also, the testing center will supply a copy of the 2020 NEC. (Affiliate link, fyi.)
• Passing Score: You must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass.
• Exam Fee: The fee is currently $95 and is paid directly to PSI upon registration.

After the Board approves your application, you will receive an “Eligibility Letter.” You then create an account at the PSI Exams portal to schedule your test date at one of their locations in Honolulu, Hilo, or Kahului.

Congratulations! You are now a licensed electrician in the state of Hawaii! No matter which license you worked towards, it is a great accomplishment to be licensed as an electrician in any state. While you can legally work in your chosen area of electrical expertise, you mustn’t forget about maintaining your license as well.

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Hawaii operates on a triennial (three-year) renewal cycle. All electrician licenses expire on June 30 every three years (e.g., 2026, 2029, 2032), regardless of when you first received your license.

• Renewing in Year 1 of Triennium: $306.
• Renewing in Year 2 of Triennium: $204.
• Renewing in Year 3 of Triennium: $102.

To renew your license, you must complete a Continued Competency requirement.

• Hours: 4 hours of classroom instruction.
• Content: The course focuses on updates and changes to the National Electrical Code.
• Providers: Only Board-approved providers, such as the University of Hawaii Community Colleges or the Hawaii Electricians Training Fund, can grant these credits.

You can either authorize the Honolulu Community College (HCC) or the Hawaii Electricians Training Fund to submit evidence of your fulfilled CE requirement, or you must submit a copy of a certificate of completion yourself.

NOTE: You do not need to meet the CE requirement if your license was issued within a year of its expiration date.

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None. That’s right. Hawaii does not have a reciprocity agreement with any state or region. Your experience is not wasted, as it can be used to verify your work and education, but you will need to submit the same application and pass the same test as everyone else. See the above link for further details.

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After you’ve put in 4 years as a Journey Worker Electrician (EJ), you are eligible to take the Supervising Electrician (ES) exam. The application and testing process is the same, so refer back to the Application section for further details.

However, if your goal is to own your own business and pull permits, none of these electrician licenses is enough. You must obtain a C-13 Electrical Contractor license. While this license is beyond the scope of our guide, here are the basic requirements.

• Experience: 4 years of experience as a supervisor or foreman within the last 10 years.
• Responsible Managing Employee (RME): Every electrical contracting entity must have an RME who holds the appropriate license and passes a separate Business and Law exam.
• Financial Integrity: You must provide a credit report and a financial statement to demonstrate the business’s solvency.
• Insurance: You must carry Workers’ Compensation and General Liability insurance (minimum $100k/$300k for bodily injury and $50k for property damage).

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The cost of living in Hawaii is high, but electrician wages reflect that reality. As of early 2026:

• Apprentice Wages: Typically start at 35%–40% of the Journey Worker rate, with raises every 1,000 hours.
• Journeyman Wages: Range from $45.00 to $65.00 per hour, depending on union status and island location.
• Contractors: Owners of successful electrical firms can see annual revenues well into the six or seven figures, particularly when serving government and military contracts on Oahu.

The state’s commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045 ensures a long-term need for electricians specializing in photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery storage, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

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Becoming a certified electrician in Hawaii is a marathon, not a sprint. The five-year apprenticeship requirement is one of the most rigorous in the United States, but it ensures that Hawaii’s electrical grid is maintained by true masters of the craft. By working hard and following the steps in this guide, you can build a rewarding and permanent career powering the islands. Godspeed!