Hawaii approves your experience before you test, and PSI hands you a clean 2020 NEC at the test center. You can't bring your own tabbed book, so practice finding answers in an unmarked copy.
| At a glance | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Licenses | Journey worker (EJ), supervising (ES), industrial (EJI/ESI), specialty (EJS/ESS), maintenance (EM) |
| Experience | 1 to 5 years, depending on category (list below) |
| Exam | One PSI exam for your category, open book |
| Code book | 2020 NEC, supplied by PSI |
| Fees | $40 application, $95 exam, then a prorated license fee |
| Renewal | Every 3 years, by June 30. $306 active. |
| Reciprocity | None |
Experience and training
- EJ: 5 years and at least 10,000 hours of residential or commercial wiring, plus 240 hours of accepted electrical coursework.
- ES: 4 years as a licensed journey worker electrician, or an accepted equivalent.
- Industrial EJI: 4 years and at least 8,000 industrial hours, plus 200 academic hours.
- Supervising Industrial ESI: 3 years as a licensed journey worker industrial electrician, or equivalent.
- Specialty EJS: 3 years and at least 6,000 hours, plus 120 academic hours.
- Supervising Specialty ESS: 2 years as a licensed journey worker specialty electrician, or equivalent.
- Maintenance EM: 1 year of maintenance work plus 80 academic hours, or a qualifying two-year school program with at least 1,000 hands-on lab hours.
The June 2026 application packet lists accepted University of Hawaii Community College courses and the notarized experience form. Documented out-of-state experience counts.
Apply to the Board first
- Send your application with notarized experience verification, coursework records, and the fee by the posted deadline.
- The Board reviews your experience and coursework. Once you're approved, you have two years to pass the PSI exam.
- Wait 24 hours after approval, then book your exam through PSI Hawaii.
- After you pass, pay the prorated license fee to get your license.
Exam and supplied codebook
| Exam | Questions | Time | Pass | Fee | Code and focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journey Worker / Supervising (EJ / ES) | 70 | 180 minutes | 70% | $95 | 2020 NEC supplied by PSI |
| Industrial EJI / ESI | 70 | 180 minutes | 70% | $95 | 2020 NEC supplied by PSI |
| Maintenance EM | 50 | 120 minutes | 70% | $95 | 2020 NEC supplied by PSI |
| Specialty EJS / ESS | 50 | 120 minutes | 70% | $95 | 2020 NEC supplied by PSI |
Leave your own codebook, tabs, and notes at home. The exam bulletin lists the test-day rules. There's no separate business-law or load-calculation exam.
Contracting and renewal
To run an electrical contracting business, you also need a license from the Contractors License Board under HRS 444.
The current license term ends June 30, 2029. The Board licensing page lists renewal and late fees.
To renew an active license, pass a course or exam on NEC updates. Maintenance (EM) is exempt, and so is a license issued within a year of renewal. The continuing-competency page still shows the 2023–2026 cycle, so ask the Board what counts for 2026–2029 before you enroll.
Study with JCR
How long to study: Most students who pass study 6–8 weeks, about an hour a night.
JCR's Hawaii course teaches 2020 NEC navigation, theory, and calculations for the journey worker, supervising, industrial, and maintenance exams, the same material behind a 93% pass rate for JCR classroom students. Specialty (alarm and communications) and HRS 444 contractor applicants need extra prep.
JCR's Hawaii course ($495) includes a 152-page printed manual, 100 video lessons (21 hours), 500+ practice questions, and permanent code tabs. The tabs are for study only; you can't use them in the Hawaii exam room. The code book is sold separately. Get the Hawaii course →
Not ready to buy? Try 25 free 2020 NEC practice questions.
Official forms and exam information
- Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers
- Applications page
- June 2026 qualification packet
- Deadlines and examination dates
- Continuing-competency requirements
- Hawaii Contractors License Board
- PSI bulletin 10698
- PSI Hawaii scheduling
Last checked September 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers before you apply.