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Plumbers are always in high demand. This is one area of specialization that most homeowners don’t want to tackle, likely due to the expertise required, not to mention the consequences of making mistakes.

This makes plumbing a great career path for skilled trade professionals seeking reliable work. Like most states, Hawaii requires licensing for those in skilled trades, so before you can become a plumbing contractor, you’ll have to obtain a license from the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers. 

What can you do with a plumbing license, and how can you get one?

What You Can Do With a Plumbing License

In Hawaii, plumbers are licensed to install, repair, or alter complete plumbing systems, including:

• Supply water piping
• Hot water piping
• Wastewater piping
• Fuel gas piping
• Wastewater treatment
• Other fluid piping
• Vacuum, air, and medical gas piping
• Spa and swimming pool piping
• Irrigation and lawn sprinkler piping
• Sewer lines and related sewage disposal
• Fire protection sprinklers (with qualified supervision)
• Solar hot water heating

This list also includes any equipment, backflow prevention assemblies, instrumentation, non-electric controls, and fixtures for these systems, as well as venting for certain systems and activities like trenching, backfilling, patching, and surface restoration connected with such systems.

How to Obtain a Plumbing Contractor License

There are several criteria you must meet before you can obtain your C-37 Plumbing Contractor License. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to qualify and already hold a master-level plumbing license. You must also be employed by a licensed contracting entity.

Like other skilled trade licenses, this one requires that you maintain a reputation for honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, and fair dealing. From there, you’ll have to pass the required state exams.

Exams Required for Licensure

The state of Hawaii requires applicants seeking a plumbing contractor license to pass two exams: the C-37 Plumbing Contractor Exam and the Business Law Exam. The trade exam is a closed-book test consisting of 80 questions that cover the following topics:

• General knowledge
• Fixtures and fittings
• Storm and roof drainage
• Fuel gas systems
• OSHA safety
• Water supply distribution
• Water heaters
• Sewer, drain, waste, and vent systems and excavation
• Plumbing math
• Medical gas

You’ll have 180 minutes to complete the exam, and you must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass. 

The Business Law Exam consists of 80 questions pertaining to topics like:

• Business organization
• Contract management
• Estimating and bidding
• Financial management
• Labor law
• Licensing
• Lien law
• Project management
• Risk management
• OSHA safety
• Tax laws
• Public works law

This closed-book test is 180 minutes long, and you’ll need to answer 75% or more of the questions correctly to pass.

How to Prepare for Exams

The right exam prep program can help to ensure that you pass your tests on the first try. Working professionals should look for a state-approved program that offers self-paced learning with 24/7 online access, as well as coursework designed by industry experts and educators.

Are you a plumbing professional in Hawaii interested in obtaining your plumbing contractor license? RocketCert has the outstanding exam prep you need. Contact us today to learn more.