Hawaii's journey worker (EJ) and supervising (ES) electrician exams are each 70 questions in 180 minutes at PSI, and you need 70% to pass. Both are open book on the 2020 NEC, but you don't bring your own: PSI hands you the code book at the test center. The fee is $95, and the Board of Electricians and Plumbers must approve you first (PSI candidate bulletin dated March 22, 2024).
"Journey worker" is Hawaii's word for journeyman. A supervising electrician can direct and supervise electrical work, much like a master electrician in other states. Hawaii also licenses industrial, specialty (alarm and low-voltage) and maintenance electricians, and each has its own PSI exam.
| Quick facts | Hawaii electrician exams |
|---|---|
| Test company | PSI, at test centers in Honolulu, Kahului, Kailua Kona and Kapaa. Rules are in the Hawaii Electrician Examinations bulletin (March 22, 2024). |
| Journey Worker (EJ) | 70 questions, 180 minutes, 70% to pass |
| Supervising (ES) | 70 questions, 180 minutes, 70% to pass |
| Code book | 2020 NEC, supplied by PSI. Personal books aren't allowed in the room. |
| Exam fee | $95, non-refundable, good for 1 year from payment |
| Before you book | Board approval of your application ($40 fee). Approval lets you test as often as needed for 2 years. |
Who can take the Hawaii electrician exam?
The Board reviews your experience and coursework before PSI will book you. The June 2026 requirements packet sets these minimums:
- Journey Worker (EJ): 5 years and at least 10,000 hours of residential or commercial wiring, plus 240 hours of electrical coursework accepted by a University of Hawaii Community College.
- Supervising (ES): 4 years as a licensed journey worker electrician, or 4 years licensed at that level in a place with similar rules.
- Industrial (EJI / ESI): 4 years and 8,000 industrial hours plus 200 coursework hours for EJI. ESI takes 3 years as a licensed EJI.
- Specialty (EJS / ESS): 3 years and 6,000 hours plus 120 coursework hours for EJS. ESS takes 2 years as a licensed EJS.
- Maintenance (EM): 1 year of maintenance work plus 80 coursework hours, or 2 years of trade school with 1,000 lab hours.
File at least 7 working days before a Board meeting. Meetings are usually in February, April, June, August, October and December (deadlines page). Every step is in JCR's Hawaii electrician license guide.
Approved to test? JCR's Hawaii package is built on the 2020 NEC that PSI hands you on exam day, and it's written for the EJ and ES exams.
What you get for $495: 100 video lessons (21 hours), JCR's 152-page workbook with a six-week plan and a 500+ question mock exam (digital and printed).
What's on the Hawaii journey worker and supervising electrician exams?
The PSI bulletin gives these question counts. Neither exam has a separate law or business section.
| Topic | EJ / ES questions |
|---|---|
| Services, feeders and branch circuits | 10 / 10 |
| Grounding and bonding | 10 / 10 |
| Conductors and cables | 10 / 8 |
| General electrical knowledge | 10 / 6 |
| Electrical power, motors and general-use equipment | 6 / 12 (6 power, 6 motors) |
| Raceways and boxes | 6 / 4 |
| Special occupancies, conditions and equipment | 6 / 4 |
| Lighting | 4 / 4 |
| Safety | 4 / 4 |
| Low voltage and communication circuits | 4 / 2 |
| Overcurrent protection | none / 4 |
| Illuminated signs | none / 2 |
| Total | 70 in 180 minutes / 70 in 180 minutes |
PSI may add up to 10 unscored trial questions. Their time doesn't count against you, and neither does the tutorial (up to 15 minutes).
Hawaii industrial, specialty and maintenance electrician exams
All of them are open book with the PSI-supplied 2020 NEC, and all take 70% to pass.
| License | Exam |
|---|---|
| Journey Worker Industrial (EJI) | 70 questions, 180 minutes. Services, grounding and conductors are 10 each. Raceways and motors are 8 each. |
| Supervising Industrial (ESI) | 70 questions, 180 minutes. Services, grounding and conductors are 12 each, plus 8 on high-voltage circuits. |
| Journey Worker Specialty (EJS) | 50 questions, 120 minutes. 30 are on fire alarm, intrusion alarm and low-voltage communication systems. |
| Supervising Specialty (ESS) | 50 questions, 120 minutes. Same 30 alarm and low-voltage questions as EJS. |
| Maintenance (EM) | 50 questions, 120 minutes. General electrical knowledge is 14 and safety is 10. |
What can you bring into the Hawaii electrician exam?
No books of your own. PSI gives every candidate a 2020 NEC at the test center. These are listed as not allowed:
- National Electrical Safety Code (2017)
- Ugly's Electrical References (2020)
- OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, including PSI's Selections
- NFPA 72 (2016) for the EJ and ES exams
- The NTC Blue Book for the EJS and ESS exams
What PSI gives you or allows:
- Calculator: an on-screen calculator is provided. Your own is allowed if it's silent, battery-powered and non-programmable, with no paper tape and no alphabet keys.
- Scratch paper: one sheet and a pencil, returned at the end.
- Storage: phones, bags, notes, reference books and outerwear go into the secure storage before you enter.
Because the code book is handed to you clean, study in an unmarked 2020 NEC so you learn to find answers from the index and article layout alone.
Scheduling, fees and retakes
- Book at PSI's Hawaii page or by phone at (833) 333-4754. The Board says to wait up to 24 hours after your approval letter before you register.
- Test centers: Honolulu (Ala Moana Pacific Center), Kahului (UH Maui College), Kailua Kona and Kapaa.
- Testing outside Hawaii needs Board approval. Send the written request with your application, and you pay any extra cost.
- ID: one valid photo ID with your signature. Your first and last names must match your application exactly. Arrive 30 minutes early.
- Cancel at least 2 days ahead online or by phone. Voicemail and email don't count.
- Scores show on screen, and you get a score report at the test site. A fail includes a report of weak areas.
- Retakes: not the same day. If seats are open, you may retest within 2 business days.
- Eligibility lasts 2 years from your approval letter, with unlimited attempts in that time.
Passing the exam earns the electrician license, not the right to contract. To run an electrical business you also need a license from the Contractors License Board under HRS Chapter 444.
Hawaii electrician exam prep: how to pass
- Pace at about 2.5 minutes a question on the 70-question EJ and ES exams.
- Know the NEC index cold. The book PSI gives you is a clean copy with no markings.
- Drill the core four. Services, grounding, conductors and general knowledge are 40 of 70 EJ questions.
- Testing for ES? Add motor, overcurrent and sign questions. They're 12 of 70.
- Plan 6–8 weeks, about an hour a night, and finish with timed practice tests.
Licensed in another state? Hawaii doesn't reciprocate, but your experience still counts. See Hawaii electrical license reciprocity.
Hawaii electrician exam FAQ
Is the Hawaii electrician exam open book?
Yes. Every Hawaii electrician exam is open book, but PSI supplies the 2020 NEC at the test center. Your own books go into storage.
Can I bring my own code book to the Hawaii PSI exam?
No. PSI hands you a 2020 NEC on exam day. Reference books, notes and other personal items aren't allowed in the testing room.
How many questions are on the Hawaii journey worker electrician exam?
70 questions in 180 minutes, and you need 70% to pass. The supervising electrician exam has the same count and time limit.
Does Hawaii accept electrician licenses from other states?
No. Hawaii does not reciprocate with any state, so out-of-state electricians apply to the Board and pass the PSI exam. Documented out-of-state experience does count.
How soon can I retake the Hawaii electrician exam?
Not the same day. PSI says you may be able to retest within 2 business days if seats are open. Your Board approval lasts 2 years, with unlimited attempts.
Prepare for the 2020 NEC on Hawaii's PSI exams
JCR's Hawaii self-study package drills fast lookups in the 2020 NEC, theory and calculations for the journey worker and supervising exams. The industrial and maintenance exams use the same code book.
It costs $495. Videos and digital practice exams open right after checkout, and the printed workbook and mock exam ship the same business day. Study with your own 2020 NEC, the edition PSI gives you on exam day.
Get the Hawaii self-study package — $495
Want a baseline first? Try 25 free NEC practice questions.
More Hawaii guides
Sources JCR checked
- PSI Hawaii Electrician Examinations bulletin (March 22, 2024)
- PSI: Hawaii trades
- Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers
- Board: application deadlines and exams
- Board: application forms
- Requirements for examination and license (June 2026)
- Hawaii Contractors License Board
JCR checked these exam details against PSI's Hawaii bulletin and the Board's pages and June 2026 requirements packet on October 21, 2026. Confirm with the Board of Electricians and Plumbers if you plan to test outside Hawaii.