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Hawaii licensing

Do I need a contractor license in Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaii requires a contractor license issued by Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA).

State Laws

Hawaii licensing laws

7 verticals covered for Hawaii

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Reviewed by Cornerstone Staff28 years of financial services state licensing experienceLast verified August 3, 2026

This guide covers 7 regulated activities in Hawaii: Hawaii Contractor License Bond Requirements, Hawaii Charitable Solicitation Registration, Hawaii Debt Collection Laws & Regulations, Hawaii Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond Requirements, Hawaii Notary Bond Requirements, Hawaii Mortgage Laws & Licensing Requirements, and Hawaii Money Transmitter Laws & Licensing. For each one, the summary below names the state agency in charge. It shows whether a license or registration is required. It also shows whether Hawaii calls for a surety bond before you can operate.

Oversight in Hawaii runs through Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA), Hawaii Attorney General, Tax & Charities Division, Hawaii DCCA, Hawaii Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board (DCCA), and Hawaii Department of the Attorney General. 6 of the 7 need a surety bond before you can operate. The bond protects the state and your customers if you break the rules tied to your license.

States change their statutes and fee schedules often. Treat the details below as a starting point. Confirm the current rule with the regulator before you file. When you are ready, Cornerstone Surety Bonds can prepare and submit the Hawaii filings for you. We track every renewal date and keep your license in good standing year after year.

contractor license

Hawaii Contractor License Bond Requirements

The contractor license bond Hawaii requires as a condition of holding a contractor license or registration: the required amount, the statute behind it, and how the bond is filed with Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA).

Application process

The bond is filed with Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA) as part of the contractor license or registration application (or renewal). The surety issues the bond on the state's required form naming the state as obligee; most contractors qualify on the owners' personal credit and the bond is often issued the same day. Note this is the license bond only, project bid, performance, and payment bonds are separate obligations posted per job.

Renewals

The bond must stay continuously in force for the license to remain active. Sureties renew the bond on its own term and file continuation certificates; a lapse or cancellation is reported to Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA) and can suspend the license.

Local jurisdictions in Hawaii may layer their own permit or license bond requirements on top of the statewide bond. Confirm the current required amount with Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA) before filing.

Key statutes

  • Contractors licensing law (HRS ch. 444) . Hawaii licenses contractors under HRS chapter 444; bonds are required only where the board imposes them as a license condition, not as a blanket statewide requirement.

charitable registration

Hawaii Charitable Solicitation Registration

A guide to charitable solicitation registration in Hawaii: who must register with the Hawaii Attorney General, Tax & Charities Division before asking Hawaii residents for donations, common exemptions, renewal timing, and the professional fundraiser and charitable gaming rules that run alongside it.

Application process

Charitable organizations register with the Hawaii Attorney General, Tax & Charities Division before soliciting contributions in Hawaii, whether the ask happens in person, by mail, by phone, or online to Hawaii residents. A typical filing includes the state registration form (or the multistate Unified Registration Statement where accepted), the IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation and bylaws, a list of officers and directors, the most recent IRS Form 990 or financial statements, and disclosure of any professional fundraiser contracts.

Common exemptions cover religious organizations, educational institutions, and small organizations under a revenue threshold, but exemption is rarely automatic; many states require an exemption filing. Registration fees are typically tiered to annual contributions; confirm the current schedule with the Hawaii Attorney General, Tax & Charities Division.

Renewals

Charitable registrations in Hawaii renew annually, generally keyed to the organization's fiscal year end, with updated financial reporting (IRS Form 990 or audited financials above the statutory revenue threshold) and the renewal fee. Late renewals can incur penalties and suspend the organization's authority to solicit.

Professional fundraisers, professional solicitors, and fundraising counsel must register separately in Hawaii before working with charities, and paid solicitors typically post a surety bond. Charitable gaming (raffles, bingo, casino nights) is licensed separately where Hawaii permits it. Nonprofits registering in multiple states also need a registered agent in each state where they are incorporated or qualified to do business.

Key statutes

  • Hawaii charitable solicitation law (HI charitable solicitation statute) . Requires charitable organizations to register with Hawaii Attorney General, Tax & Charities Division before soliciting contributions in Hawaii, subject to statutory exemptions.

debt collection

Hawaii Debt Collection Laws & Regulations

Comprehensive guide to debt collection licensing requirements, regulations, and filing obligations in Hawaii. Learn about licensing fees, bond requirements, key statutes, and regulatory bodies governing third-party debt collectors in Hawaii.

Application process

To obtain a debt collection license in Hawaii, applicants generally need to submit a completed application to the Hawaii DCCA, provide a surety bond of $25,000, pass background checks for all control persons, and meet net worth or financial requirements. The application review typically takes 30-90 days.

Renewals

Debt collection licenses in Hawaii generally require annual renewal. Renewal generally involves submission of a renewal application, payment of renewal fees, updated surety bond confirmation, and any required annual reports. Late renewals may incur additional penalties.

Third-party debt collectors operating in Hawaii are also generally expected to comply with the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Hawaii may impose additional requirements beyond federal standards, including restrictions on communication methods, required disclosures, and limitations on fees that may be collected.

Key statutes

  • Hawaii Collection Agency Act (HRS § 443B) . Licensing of collection agencies

auto dealer

Hawaii Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond Requirements

Hawaii requires a $10,000 to $200,000 by dealer type and volume motor vehicle dealer bond under Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 437, filed with the Hawaii Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board (DCCA). Tiered by dealer type and volume: used dealers post $25,000 (under 60 sales/month) or $100,000; new dealers post $50,000 (under 10 sales/month) or $200,000; used motorcycle/scooter dealers post $10,000.

Application process

Apply for or renew your motor vehicle dealer license with the Hawaii Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board (DCCA) and file a $10,000 to $200,000 by dealer type and volume surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

Renewals

The bond runs with the motor vehicle dealer license term and renews on the same cycle (about every 2 years).

Tiered by dealer type and volume: used dealers post $25,000 (under 60 sales/month) or $100,000; new dealers post $50,000 (under 10 sales/month) or $200,000; used motorcycle/scooter dealers post $10,000.

Key statutes

  • Hawaii motor vehicle industry licensing law (Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 437) . Statutory basis for the Hawaii motor vehicle dealer bond requirement.

notary

Hawaii Notary Bond Requirements

Hawaii requires a $1,000 notary bond under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 456-5, filed with the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General.

Application process

Apply for or renew your notary public commission with the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General and file a $1,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

Renewals

The bond runs with the notary public commission term and renews on the same cycle (about every 4 years).

Key statutes

  • Hawaii notary bond statute (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 456-5) . Statutory basis for the Hawaii notary bond requirement.

mortgage

Hawaii Mortgage Laws & Licensing Requirements

Complete guide to mortgage licensing requirements in Hawaii. Covers MLO licensing through NMLS, lender and servicer licensing, bond requirements, and key statutes governing mortgage origination and servicing in Hawaii.

Application process

Mortgage companies generally apply through the NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System) for Hawaii mortgage licensing. Requirements include a completed MU1 form, surety bond, audited financial statements, business plan, background checks (FBI criminal and credit) for all control persons, and net worth requirements. Individual MLOs are generally required to complete pre-licensing education (20 hours minimum including 3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of non-traditional lending, plus Hawaii-specific hours), pass the SAFE MLO test, and submit an MU4 form through NMLS.

Renewals

Mortgage licenses in Hawaii are renewed annually through NMLS. Company renewals require updated financial statements, bond confirmation, and payment of renewal fees. MLOs are generally required to complete continuing education (8 hours minimum annually, including Hawaii-specific requirements) and pay renewal fees through NMLS. The renewal period typically runs November 1 through December 31.

All mortgage companies and MLOs operating in Hawaii are generally required to be registered through NMLS. Hawaii participates in the CSBS multi-state licensing process. Additional requirements may include maintaining a physical office, appointing a qualified individual, and filings with both state and federal regulations including TILA, RESPA, and the Dodd-Frank Act.

Federal baseline

Federal law applies in every state, not just this one.

  • SAFE Act (12 U.S.C. § 5101) . Federal framework for MLO licensing through NMLS

money transmitter

Hawaii Money Transmitter Laws & Licensing

Complete guide to money transmitter licensing in Hawaii. Covers application requirements, surety bond amounts, net worth minimums, FinCEN registration, and key statutes governing money transmission in Hawaii.

Hawaii money transmitter requirements at a glance

Hawaii money transmitter licensing requirements
Surety bond $25,000
Minimum net worth $100,000
Renewal cadence Annual
FinCEN MSB registration Required

Application process

To obtain a money transmitter license in Hawaii, applicants generally need to submit a completed application to the Hawaii DCCA, provide a surety bond of $25,000-$500,000, demonstrate minimum net worth of $100,000, provide audited financial statements, implement a comprehensive BSA/AML filings program, and pass background checks for all control persons. Many states now accept applications through NMLS. The application process typically takes 3-12 months depending on the state and complexity of the applicant's business model.

Renewals

Money transmitter licenses in Hawaii generally require annual renewal. Renewal typically requires submission of audited financial statements, updated surety bond, quarterly or annual transaction reports, BSA/AML filing documentation, and payment of renewal fees. Some states require call report filings on a quarterly basis throughout the year.

Money transmitters operating in Hawaii are also generally expected to register with FinCEN as a money services business (MSB) and implement a comprehensive BSA/AML filings program. This includes appointing a filings officer, developing written policies and procedures, conducting employee training, filing Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs), and submitting Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs). Hawaii may have specific requirements for cryptocurrency and virtual currency businesses.

Federal baseline

Federal law applies in every state, not just this one.

  • Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. § 5311) . Federal BSA/AML requirements for money services businesses

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State Laws

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Bonds and insurance in Hawaii

Where Hawaii conditions a license on a posted surety bond, these pages carry the statutory bond amount and filing steps.

Hawaii regulator contacts

The state agencies that issue and oversee the licenses above.

Planning tools and data

Scope a Hawaii expansion before you file.

Regulatory Watch

Stay Ahead of the Rules

Recent rule changes, deadline announcements, and state agency updates we are tracking for you.

  • Action CSBS May 7, 2026

    CSBS MTMA guidance on stablecoins and lease accounting

    On April 23, 2026, CSBS issued Money Transmission Modernization Act implementation guidance covering stablecoins and right-of-use leases. The guidance is meant to support consistent state treatment of tangible net worth, permissible investments, and surety bond calculations.