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Hawaii Water Well Driller — Requirements & Free Practice

US-HI · License preparation

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Conditional C-57 well contractor license

Board-issued conditional form of the C-57 license, renewable and subject to written Board conditions.

Licensing authority: Hawaii Contractors License Board · Application information

Conditional initial licensure with individual or new RME qualification

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Conditional approval
Enter a written agreement to comply with all Board conditions. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-24(a), page 77-13. Official text: §16-77-24 Power of board to issue conditional licenses. (a) The board may issue a conditional license, provided that the applicant or licensee submits in writing an agreement to comply with any condition the board may establish for the license, including but not limited to the provision that the license may be withdrawn at any time without a hearing upon determination by the board that the licensee has violated the conditions thereof or is otherwise not acting in the best interest of the public in the licensee's contracting business.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Standard requirements
Conditional licenses are subject to the same requirements as unconditional licenses; any Board relief is an applicant condition, not removal of current examination leaves. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-24(c), page 77-14. Official text: (c) A conditional license shall be subject to the same requirements and license fees as an unconditional license and shall be renewable. Converting a conditional license to an unconditional license shall be by action of the board upon request by the licensee and there shall be no additional fees for this conversion. A conditional license shall remain in that status for at least one year.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Conditional entity licensure through an already licensed RME
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conditional agreement
Enter a written agreement to satisfy Board conditions.
Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Existing rme
The principal RME already holds a current C-57 license.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Conditional reapplication after the restoration period expires

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Conditions
Continue to satisfy the written conditional-license agreement.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Prior qualification
The four-year written-examination qualification exception may excuse sitting the identified current exams again. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-41, page 77-17. Official text: §16-77-41 Examination not required. An examination shall not be required when the applicant has previously qualified by written examination within a period of four years prior to application, or within four years from the date the applicant was last licensed in good standing or in an inactive status, provided the applicant applies for a license in the same classification in which the applicant previously qualified by examination.
Restoration
The conditional license was forfeited and the statutory restoration window expired; reapply under current initial qualifications.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Conditional entity reapplication with an already licensed RME
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conditional agreement
Satisfy the written Board conditions for the conditional license.
Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Existing rme
Employ an already licensed C-57 RME and file a new entity application.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.
Restoration
The conditional entity license was forfeited and not restored within the statutory restoration window.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration or renewal following qualifying military deployment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Request restoration within 120 days after discharge or release from active deployment; the rule also covers a current license expiring within 120 days.
Documents
Provide deployment and discharge or release orders, the current renewal fee, and any required financial-integrity or federal-requirement documents.
Exclusions
Scheduled annual or specialized training and suspended, revoked or otherwise disciplined licenses are excluded.
Military service
The license expires, is forfeited or becomes delinquent while the licensee is on active duty and deployed during a state or national crisis.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal of an existing C 57 license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing qualifications
Continue to meet the applicable qualifications and financial-integrity, tax, insurance and bond requirements; entity and sole-proprietor documentation differs from RME documentation. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-55(a)-(b), page 77-21. Official text: §16-77-55 Conditions for renewal of license. (a) No license shall be renewed until the licensee continues to meet the requirements of sections 444-11, 444-11.1, and 444-17, HRS, and of this chapter including, but not limited to, proof of financial integrity. (b) To establish financial integrity, the licensee shall submit: (1) A current state tax clearance or proof of payment arrangement, and a statement disclosing or denying the existence of any liens, undisputed debts or judgments against the licensee relating to services or materials rendered in connection with operations as a contractor; and (2) Proof that the licensee has continuously maintained workers' compensation insurance, is authorized to act as a self-insurer under chapter 386, HRS, or is excluded from the requirements of chapter 386, HRS; (3) Proof that liability and property damage insurance has been maintained in the following amounts: Bodily injury $100,000 each person $300,000 each occurrence Property damage $ 50,000 each occurrence; and (4) Proof that any surety bond imposed by the board is current.
Deadline
Complete the renewal application and submit documents and fees by September 30 of each even-numbered year.
Existing license
Hold the corresponding current C-57 license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board conditions
The Board may require current insurance, financial statement, credit report, tax clearance and a bond; unspecified case-specific conditions remain applicant conditions, not invented examinations. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-63(b), page 77-22. Official text: (b) To reinstate a license which was under suspension, the licensee may, in addition to meeting any conditions imposed for reinstatement, be required to show proof of workers' compensation, liability, and property damage insurance, submit a current financial statement, credit report, tax clearance, and as added proof of financial integrity, a bond in an amount to be determined by the board.
Suspension
Hold a suspended C-57 license and comply completely with the suspension order and all applicable reinstatement fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration within the statutory forfeiture window
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Submit all required renewal documents, renewal fees and penalty fee within 60 days from September 30; HRS 444-15(b) controls the window.
Documents
Supply the applicable renewal documents and continue meeting license qualifications.
Existing license
The corresponding C-57 license was forfeited for nonrenewal.
Rule date
The rule states November 30; the statute specifies 60 days, which controls. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-51, page 77-20. Official text: §16-77-51 Restoration of forfeited license. Forfeited licenses may be restored by filing a renewal application along with all required documents, and paying the renewal fees, including the recovery and education fund fees, plus a penalty fee on or before November 30 of the renewal year. Licensees who fail to restore their licenses by November 30 shall be required to apply as new applicants, and shall file a new license application form along with all required supporting documents and fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

C-57 Well contractor - contracting entity

Contracting entity license qualified through a principal RME holding the appropriate current classification.

Licensing authority: Hawaii Contractors License Board · Application information

Addition of C 57 with an RME qualifying in that classification
Hawaii C-57 – Well Contractor Examination
Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
New classification
The entity and qualifying RME apply for C-57 when it is not already held.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.
Trade examination
The RME meets C-57 experience and passes its Part II examination; Business and Law is not repeated.
License conversion following statutory business entity conversion
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conversion
The business entity has converted under the conversion statutes identified in HRS 436B-15.5 and continues to meet its license requirements.
Deadline
Apply and pay the required fee within 30 calendar days of the effective conversion; submit conversion certificate, filed articles, insurance and any required bond rider.
Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Conversion from conditional to unconditional status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board approval
Request conversion by letter identifying the license number and mailing address; the Board must approve and may require additional documentation.
Conditional license
Hold the corresponding conditional C-57 license for at least one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial entity licensure through an already licensed C 57 RME
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
Licensed rme
A current appropriately licensed RME confirms employment; no separate RME examination application is required. Source: entity-application.pdf, RME appointment for previously licensed RME, page 2. Official text: RME licensed in Hawaii: Have RME submit a letter confirming employment with applicant and confirming termination of employment with former employer or request to be the RME for both contracting entities ("dual" status). IF requesting dual status, provide documentation verifying one of the following requirements:
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.
Rme license
The RME license is an applicant qualification held by another person, not a separately imposed entity examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial entity licensure with an RME being licensed

All of the following:

Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
New rme
The qualifying RME submits a separate application and takes the identified Hawaii contractor examinations upon Board approval.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.
Entity restoration or reapplication through an already licensed RME
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
Licensed rme
Employ an already licensed C-57 RME and submit a new entity application; the entity application itself requires no new examination.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.
Trigger
The entity missed the statutory 60-day restoration period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Entity restoration or reapplication with new RME qualification

All of the following:

Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
New rme
A newly qualifying RME files the separate initial license application and completes the current contractor examinations.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.
Trigger
The entity missed the statutory 60-day restoration period.
Reactivation through a currently licensed RME
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Documents
The current form requires financial, tax and credit records, good-standing evidence and the licensed RME status-change letter; an unlicensed RME must submit a new application. Source: status-change.pdf, Entity reactivation, page 4. Official text: PRESENTLY INACTIVE 1. $50 fee and complete application (CT-15). CORPORATION, 2. Submit a current (not more than a year old) COMPILED, REVIEWED, OR AUDITED financial statement PARTNERSHIP, JOINT accompanied by an independent accountant's report. The accountant must be a licensed or certified public VENTURE, LIMITED accountant holding a current permit to practice. If the accountant is licensed in another state, provide a copy LIABILITY COMPANY of the license. OR LIMITED LIABILITY For COMPILED and REVIEWED financial statements: Applicant is required to sign the Board's Financial PARTNERSHIP AND Statement Form whether or not your CPA uses the Board's Financial Statement Form. WILL BE 3. A current Hawaii State Tax Clearance, (not more than 6 months old) with an original State Department of REACTIVATING Taxation stamp. 4. Current and complete credit report of officers/partners/managers/members and RME covering prior 5 year history. Issue date of credit report must be within 6 months of reactivation request date. 5. Letter from RME stating status change. (If not licensed in Hawaii, a new application must be filed along with this application.) 6. Certificate of Good Standing for business entity which can be obtained from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division (phone: (808) 586-2727).
Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Inactive entity
The entity holds an inactive C-57 license.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation requiring a new RME license

All of the following:

Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.
Unlicensed rme
The appointed RME is not licensed in Hawaii and submits a new application in addition to entity reactivation documents.
Biennial renewal of an existing C 57 license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing qualifications
Continue to meet the applicable qualifications and financial-integrity, tax, insurance and bond requirements; entity and sole-proprietor documentation differs from RME documentation. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-55(a)-(b), page 77-21. Official text: §16-77-55 Conditions for renewal of license. (a) No license shall be renewed until the licensee continues to meet the requirements of sections 444-11, 444-11.1, and 444-17, HRS, and of this chapter including, but not limited to, proof of financial integrity. (b) To establish financial integrity, the licensee shall submit: (1) A current state tax clearance or proof of payment arrangement, and a statement disclosing or denying the existence of any liens, undisputed debts or judgments against the licensee relating to services or materials rendered in connection with operations as a contractor; and (2) Proof that the licensee has continuously maintained workers' compensation insurance, is authorized to act as a self-insurer under chapter 386, HRS, or is excluded from the requirements of chapter 386, HRS; (3) Proof that liability and property damage insurance has been maintained in the following amounts: Bodily injury $100,000 each person $300,000 each occurrence Property damage $ 50,000 each occurrence; and (4) Proof that any surety bond imposed by the board is current.
Deadline
Complete the renewal application and submit documents and fees by September 30 of each even-numbered year.
Existing license
Hold the corresponding current C-57 license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Entity restoration or reapplication through an already licensed RME
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
Licensed rme
Employ an already licensed C-57 RME and submit a new entity application; the entity application itself requires no new examination.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.
Trigger
The entity license was forfeited following loss of its RME.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Entity restoration or reapplication with new RME qualification

All of the following:

Entity
Corporation, partnership, joint venture, LLC or LLP registered with Hawaii BREG.
Financial integrity
Submit the accountant financial statement, current credit reports for officers, partners, managers or members and the RME, current tax clearance subject to the form exemption, and entity registration documents.
Insurance and bond
Liability and workers compensation insurance or authorized exclusion, and any required Board bond, must be in place.
New rme
A newly qualifying RME files the separate initial license application and completes the current contractor examinations.
Place of business
Maintain a permanent physical Hawaii place of business.
Principal rme
Employ and designate an appropriately licensed principal C-57 RME.
Trigger
The entity license was forfeited following loss of its RME.
Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board conditions
The Board may require current insurance, financial statement, credit report, tax clearance and a bond; unspecified case-specific conditions remain applicant conditions, not invented examinations. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-63(b), page 77-22. Official text: (b) To reinstate a license which was under suspension, the licensee may, in addition to meeting any conditions imposed for reinstatement, be required to show proof of workers' compensation, liability, and property damage insurance, submit a current financial statement, credit report, tax clearance, and as added proof of financial integrity, a bond in an amount to be determined by the board.
Suspension
Hold a suspended C-57 license and comply completely with the suspension order and all applicable reinstatement fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration within the statutory forfeiture window
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Submit all required renewal documents, renewal fees and penalty fee within 60 days from September 30; HRS 444-15(b) controls the window.
Documents
Supply the applicable renewal documents and continue meeting license qualifications.
Existing license
The corresponding C-57 license was forfeited for nonrenewal.
Rule date
The rule states November 30; the statute specifies 60 days, which controls. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-51, page 77-20. Official text: §16-77-51 Restoration of forfeited license. Forfeited licenses may be restored by filing a renewal application along with all required documents, and paying the renewal fees, including the recovery and education fund fees, plus a penalty fee on or before November 30 of the renewal year. Licensees who fail to restore their licenses by November 30 shall be required to apply as new applicants, and shall file a new license application form along with all required supporting documents and fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

C-57 Well contractor - responsible managing employee

Individually licensed C-57 qualifier employed by a contracting entity; the RME license and entity license are maintained separately.

Licensing authority: Hawaii Contractors License Board · Application information

Addition of C 57 to an existing contractor license
Hawaii C-57 – Well Contractor Examination
Business and law
The Business and Law examination is not retaken for an additional classification, as stated in the PSI bulletin.
Classification experience
Meet experience requirements in C-57 and file the application and fees.
Existing license
Applicant already holds a Hawaii contractor license and applies for the C-57 classification.
Affiliation change of an already licensed RME
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Current licenses
The RME and contracting entity both already hold the C-57 classification; otherwise a new license or additional-classification application is required.
Letters
Provide entity and RME status-change letters and principal RME designation when applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Conversion from conditional to unconditional status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board approval
Request conversion by letter identifying the license number and mailing address; the Board must approve and may require additional documentation.
Conditional license
Hold the corresponding conditional C-57 license for at least one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Already licensed RME for more than one contracting entity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Hold the appropriate current C-57 RME or sole-proprietor qualification.
Relationships
Document at least one permitted common ownership, subsidiary/joint-venture or immediate-family relationship and obtain Board approval. Source: status-change.pdf, Dual-status RME, page 2. Official text: To be a RME for more than one entity, or to remain a sole proprietor while also serving as a RME for an entity: THAN ONE 1. Submit a letter stating the entities for which you will be the RME. CONTRACTING 2. Submit documentation verifying one of the following requirements: ENTITY a) Common ownership if at least fifty-one percent of each contracting entity (Documentation of ("DUAL STATUS") ownership includes, but is not limited to, tax returns (Schedule C or Form 1065 for LLCs, Schedule K-1 or Form 1125E for Corporations); Stock Certificates, Business Registration documents (for single member LLC's only); or Operating agreement.) b) A contracting entity is a subsidiary or joint venture with the other contracting entity; c) Direct immediate family relationship between the RME and the officers, directors, members, managers or partners of the other contracting entity; or d) Direct immediate family relationship between the officers, directors, members, managers and partners of all contracting entities for which the individual acts as the RME. REQUIRES BOARD APPROVAL.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Employment
Be employed by the contracting entity and submit its appointment evidence; a principal RME must reside in Hawaii during licensure or the construction period under HAR 16-77-71.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial documents
Submit the current credit report; financial statements, tax clearance and entity insurance are the contracting entity requirements, rather than the ordinary RME application requirements.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Reapplication after the restoration period expires

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Employment
Be employed by the contracting entity and submit its appointment evidence; a principal RME must reside in Hawaii during licensure or the construction period under HAR 16-77-71.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial documents
Submit the current credit report; financial statements, tax clearance and entity insurance are the contracting entity requirements, rather than the ordinary RME application requirements.
Forfeiture
The license was forfeited and not restored within the statutory 60-day window; a new license application with all required supporting documents and fees is required.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Prior qualification
Prior same-classification examination qualification may excuse retesting within the four-year rule. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-41, page 77-17. Official text: §16-77-41 Examination not required. An examination shall not be required when the applicant has previously qualified by written examination within a period of four years prior to application, or within four years from the date the applicant was last licensed in good standing or in an inactive status, provided the applicant applies for a license in the same classification in which the applicant previously qualified by examination.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Restoration or renewal following qualifying military deployment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Request restoration within 120 days after discharge or release from active deployment; the rule also covers a current license expiring within 120 days.
Documents
Provide deployment and discharge or release orders, the current renewal fee, and any required financial-integrity or federal-requirement documents.
Exclusions
Scheduled annual or specialized training and suspended, revoked or otherwise disciplined licenses are excluded.
Military service
The license expires, is forfeited or becomes delinquent while the licensee is on active duty and deployed during a state or national crisis.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure with prior out of state contractor experience

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Employment
Be employed by the contracting entity and submit its appointment evidence; a principal RME must reside in Hawaii during licensure or the construction period under HAR 16-77-71.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial documents
Submit the current credit report; financial statements, tax clearance and entity insurance are the contracting entity requirements, rather than the ordinary RME application requirements.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Prior license
Out-of-state licensed experience must be documented. Source: hi-contractor-application.pdf, Prior out-of-state licensed experience, page 3. Official text: Applicants who possess licensed experience in another state should provide proof of licensure, but will still be required to submit not less than 3 certificates in support of supervisory experience and the Project List.
Reciprocity
There is no ordinary interstate contractor reciprocity agreement; the applicant follows the same Hawaii examinations. Source: contractor-faq.pdf, Reciprocity question and answer, page 2. Official text: Does Hawaii have reciprocity agreements with other states? No. All applicants must meet the same licensing and examination requirements.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Licensure following prior examination qualification

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Employment
Be employed by the contracting entity and submit its appointment evidence; a principal RME must reside in Hawaii during licensure or the construction period under HAR 16-77-71.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial documents
Submit the current credit report; financial statements, tax clearance and entity insurance are the contracting entity requirements, rather than the ordinary RME application requirements.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Retesting exemption
No retesting is required when the prior written qualification, last good-standing licensure or inactive status falls within the four-year period and the same classification is requested. The current examinations previously passed remain requirement leaves under this survey contract. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-41, page 77-17. Official text: §16-77-41 Examination not required. An examination shall not be required when the applicant has previously qualified by written examination within a period of four years prior to application, or within four years from the date the applicant was last licensed in good standing or in an inactive status, provided the applicant applies for a license in the same classification in which the applicant previously qualified by examination.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Reactivation of an inactive C 57 license

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Employment
Be employed by the contracting entity and submit its appointment evidence; a principal RME must reside in Hawaii during licensure or the construction period under HAR 16-77-71.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial documents
Submit the current credit report; financial statements, tax clearance and entity insurance are the contracting entity requirements, rather than the ordinary RME application requirements.
Inactive license
The applicant holds an inactive C-57 license and requests reactivation.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Prior qualification
The four-year examination qualification exception applies; current examinations remain leaves even where the licensee need not sit them again. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-41, page 77-17. Official text: §16-77-41 Examination not required. An examination shall not be required when the applicant has previously qualified by written examination within a period of four years prior to application, or within four years from the date the applicant was last licensed in good standing or in an inactive status, provided the applicant applies for a license in the same classification in which the applicant previously qualified by examination.
Review
The Board reviews the request as a new application. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-56(a)-(b), page 77-22. Official text: §16-77-56 Inactive status. (a) An inactive licensee may reactivate the license by submitting an application, application fee, current financial statement, tax clearance, and credit report to the board. An inactive licensee may reactivate the license as an RME by submitting an application, application fee, and a current credit report. (b) The board shall review the request and supporting documents as if the request was a new application for a license.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Biennial renewal of an existing C 57 license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing qualifications
Continue to meet the applicable qualifications and financial-integrity, tax, insurance and bond requirements; entity and sole-proprietor documentation differs from RME documentation. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-55(a)-(b), page 77-21. Official text: §16-77-55 Conditions for renewal of license. (a) No license shall be renewed until the licensee continues to meet the requirements of sections 444-11, 444-11.1, and 444-17, HRS, and of this chapter including, but not limited to, proof of financial integrity. (b) To establish financial integrity, the licensee shall submit: (1) A current state tax clearance or proof of payment arrangement, and a statement disclosing or denying the existence of any liens, undisputed debts or judgments against the licensee relating to services or materials rendered in connection with operations as a contractor; and (2) Proof that the licensee has continuously maintained workers' compensation insurance, is authorized to act as a self-insurer under chapter 386, HRS, or is excluded from the requirements of chapter 386, HRS; (3) Proof that liability and property damage insurance has been maintained in the following amounts: Bodily injury $100,000 each person $300,000 each occurrence Property damage $ 50,000 each occurrence; and (4) Proof that any surety bond imposed by the board is current.
Deadline
Complete the renewal application and submit documents and fees by September 30 of each even-numbered year.
Existing license
Hold the corresponding current C-57 license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New application after revocation

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Employment
Be employed by the contracting entity and submit its appointment evidence; a principal RME must reside in Hawaii during licensure or the construction period under HAR 16-77-71.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial documents
Submit the current credit report; financial statements, tax clearance and entity insurance are the contracting entity requirements, rather than the ordinary RME application requirements.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Revocation
At least five years must have elapsed since the effective revocation date.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Waiver
The licensing authority may waive education or examination requirements upon documented equivalent knowledge, competence and qualifications. The identified current examinations remain leaves. Source: pvl-0021.html, HRS 436B-21, complete operative provision. Official text: §436B-21  Revoked license.   A person may apply for a new license after five years from the effective date of the revocation of the license by filing an application and complying with all current requirements for new applicants.  The licensing authority may waive any applicable education or examination requirements upon being satisfied that the applicant whose license has been previously revoked, has submitted documentation that the applicant has maintained equivalent knowledge, competence, and qualifications through work experience, training, or education.
Existing sole proprietor becoming an RME
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Entity formation
The new contracting entity files its own application; the individual changes to RME status and both licenses are maintained.
Existing license
Hold an active C-57 sole-proprietor license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board conditions
The Board may require current insurance, financial statement, credit report, tax clearance and a bond; unspecified case-specific conditions remain applicant conditions, not invented examinations. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-63(b), page 77-22. Official text: (b) To reinstate a license which was under suspension, the licensee may, in addition to meeting any conditions imposed for reinstatement, be required to show proof of workers' compensation, liability, and property damage insurance, submit a current financial statement, credit report, tax clearance, and as added proof of financial integrity, a bond in an amount to be determined by the board.
Suspension
Hold a suspended C-57 license and comply completely with the suspension order and all applicable reinstatement fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration within the statutory forfeiture window
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Submit all required renewal documents, renewal fees and penalty fee within 60 days from September 30; HRS 444-15(b) controls the window.
Documents
Supply the applicable renewal documents and continue meeting license qualifications.
Existing license
The corresponding C-57 license was forfeited for nonrenewal.
Rule date
The rule states November 30; the statute specifies 60 days, which controls. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-51, page 77-20. Official text: §16-77-51 Restoration of forfeited license. Forfeited licenses may be restored by filing a renewal application along with all required documents, and paying the renewal fees, including the recovery and education fund fees, plus a penalty fee on or before November 30 of the renewal year. Licensees who fail to restore their licenses by November 30 shall be required to apply as new applicants, and shall file a new license application form along with all required supporting documents and fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

C-57 Well contractor - sole proprietor

Individual contractor license authorizing water-well construction, repair and sealing.

Licensing authority: Hawaii Contractors License Board · Application information

Addition of C 57 to an existing contractor license
Hawaii C-57 – Well Contractor Examination
Business and law
The Business and Law examination is not retaken for an additional classification, as stated in the PSI bulletin.
Classification experience
Meet experience requirements in C-57 and file the application and fees.
Existing license
Applicant already holds a Hawaii contractor license and applies for the C-57 classification.
Conversion from conditional to unconditional status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board approval
Request conversion by letter identifying the license number and mailing address; the Board must approve and may require additional documentation.
Conditional license
Hold the corresponding conditional C-57 license for at least one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial statement
Submit an accountant-prepared compiled, reviewed or audited financial statement not more than one year old and a current Hawaii tax clearance, subject to the application exemption for Hawaii residency under one year.
Insurance
Liability and workers compensation insurance or the authorized workers compensation exclusion are required before issuance; a Board-imposed bond must be supplied.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Place of business
Maintain a physical Hawaii place of business under HAR 16-77-87 and 16-77-89.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Reapplication after the restoration period expires

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial statement
Submit an accountant-prepared compiled, reviewed or audited financial statement not more than one year old and a current Hawaii tax clearance, subject to the application exemption for Hawaii residency under one year.
Forfeiture
The license was forfeited and not restored within the statutory 60-day window; a new license application with all required supporting documents and fees is required.
Insurance
Liability and workers compensation insurance or the authorized workers compensation exclusion are required before issuance; a Board-imposed bond must be supplied.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Place of business
Maintain a physical Hawaii place of business under HAR 16-77-87 and 16-77-89.
Prior qualification
Prior same-classification examination qualification may excuse retesting within the four-year rule. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-41, page 77-17. Official text: §16-77-41 Examination not required. An examination shall not be required when the applicant has previously qualified by written examination within a period of four years prior to application, or within four years from the date the applicant was last licensed in good standing or in an inactive status, provided the applicant applies for a license in the same classification in which the applicant previously qualified by examination.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Restoration or renewal following qualifying military deployment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Request restoration within 120 days after discharge or release from active deployment; the rule also covers a current license expiring within 120 days.
Documents
Provide deployment and discharge or release orders, the current renewal fee, and any required financial-integrity or federal-requirement documents.
Exclusions
Scheduled annual or specialized training and suspended, revoked or otherwise disciplined licenses are excluded.
Military service
The license expires, is forfeited or becomes delinquent while the licensee is on active duty and deployed during a state or national crisis.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure with prior out of state contractor experience

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial statement
Submit an accountant-prepared compiled, reviewed or audited financial statement not more than one year old and a current Hawaii tax clearance, subject to the application exemption for Hawaii residency under one year.
Insurance
Liability and workers compensation insurance or the authorized workers compensation exclusion are required before issuance; a Board-imposed bond must be supplied.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Place of business
Maintain a physical Hawaii place of business under HAR 16-77-87 and 16-77-89.
Prior license
Out-of-state licensed experience must be documented. Source: hi-contractor-application.pdf, Prior out-of-state licensed experience, page 3. Official text: Applicants who possess licensed experience in another state should provide proof of licensure, but will still be required to submit not less than 3 certificates in support of supervisory experience and the Project List.
Reciprocity
There is no ordinary interstate contractor reciprocity agreement; the applicant follows the same Hawaii examinations. Source: contractor-faq.pdf, Reciprocity question and answer, page 2. Official text: Does Hawaii have reciprocity agreements with other states? No. All applicants must meet the same licensing and examination requirements.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Licensure following prior examination qualification

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial statement
Submit an accountant-prepared compiled, reviewed or audited financial statement not more than one year old and a current Hawaii tax clearance, subject to the application exemption for Hawaii residency under one year.
Insurance
Liability and workers compensation insurance or the authorized workers compensation exclusion are required before issuance; a Board-imposed bond must be supplied.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Place of business
Maintain a physical Hawaii place of business under HAR 16-77-87 and 16-77-89.
Retesting exemption
No retesting is required when the prior written qualification, last good-standing licensure or inactive status falls within the four-year period and the same classification is requested. The current examinations previously passed remain requirement leaves under this survey contract. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-41, page 77-17. Official text: §16-77-41 Examination not required. An examination shall not be required when the applicant has previously qualified by written examination within a period of four years prior to application, or within four years from the date the applicant was last licensed in good standing or in an inactive status, provided the applicant applies for a license in the same classification in which the applicant previously qualified by examination.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Reactivation of an inactive C 57 license

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial statement
Submit an accountant-prepared compiled, reviewed or audited financial statement not more than one year old and a current Hawaii tax clearance, subject to the application exemption for Hawaii residency under one year.
Inactive license
The applicant holds an inactive C-57 license and requests reactivation.
Insurance
Liability and workers compensation insurance or the authorized workers compensation exclusion are required before issuance; a Board-imposed bond must be supplied.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Place of business
Maintain a physical Hawaii place of business under HAR 16-77-87 and 16-77-89.
Prior qualification
The four-year examination qualification exception applies; current examinations remain leaves even where the licensee need not sit them again. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-41, page 77-17. Official text: §16-77-41 Examination not required. An examination shall not be required when the applicant has previously qualified by written examination within a period of four years prior to application, or within four years from the date the applicant was last licensed in good standing or in an inactive status, provided the applicant applies for a license in the same classification in which the applicant previously qualified by examination.
Review
The Board reviews the request as a new application. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-56(a)-(b), page 77-22. Official text: §16-77-56 Inactive status. (a) An inactive licensee may reactivate the license by submitting an application, application fee, current financial statement, tax clearance, and credit report to the board. An inactive licensee may reactivate the license as an RME by submitting an application, application fee, and a current credit report. (b) The board shall review the request and supporting documents as if the request was a new application for a license.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Biennial renewal of an existing C 57 license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing qualifications
Continue to meet the applicable qualifications and financial-integrity, tax, insurance and bond requirements; entity and sole-proprietor documentation differs from RME documentation. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-55(a)-(b), page 77-21. Official text: §16-77-55 Conditions for renewal of license. (a) No license shall be renewed until the licensee continues to meet the requirements of sections 444-11, 444-11.1, and 444-17, HRS, and of this chapter including, but not limited to, proof of financial integrity. (b) To establish financial integrity, the licensee shall submit: (1) A current state tax clearance or proof of payment arrangement, and a statement disclosing or denying the existence of any liens, undisputed debts or judgments against the licensee relating to services or materials rendered in connection with operations as a contractor; and (2) Proof that the licensee has continuously maintained workers' compensation insurance, is authorized to act as a self-insurer under chapter 386, HRS, or is excluded from the requirements of chapter 386, HRS; (3) Proof that liability and property damage insurance has been maintained in the following amounts: Bodily injury $100,000 each person $300,000 each occurrence Property damage $ 50,000 each occurrence; and (4) Proof that any surety bond imposed by the board is current.
Deadline
Complete the renewal application and submit documents and fees by September 30 of each even-numbered year.
Existing license
Hold the corresponding current C-57 license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New application after revocation

All of the following:

Age
The individual applicant or RME must be at least 18 years old.
Approval
Board application approval precedes examination registration; the PSI bulletin provides six months of examination eligibility.
Character
Must demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing.
Documentation
Submit the application, fees, credit report covering five years and issued within six months, and required supporting documentation.
Experience
At least four years of supervisory experience in C-57 during the preceding ten years; three notarized certificates and a chronological project history are required.
Financial statement
Submit an accountant-prepared compiled, reviewed or audited financial statement not more than one year old and a current Hawaii tax clearance, subject to the application exemption for Hawaii residency under one year.
Insurance
Liability and workers compensation insurance or the authorized workers compensation exclusion are required before issuance; a Board-imposed bond must be supplied.
National exam
No NGWA examination is substituted for the Hawaii requirements identified by HAR 16-77-39 and 16-77-40 and the state application; NGWA publications listed as C-57 study references are not examination-adoption evidence.
Place of business
Maintain a physical Hawaii place of business under HAR 16-77-87 and 16-77-89.
Revocation
At least five years must have elapsed since the effective revocation date.
Scope
C-57 is the water-well construction license. C-57a authorizes pump installation and C-57b injection-well installation; those narrower classifications do not authorize water-well drilling under the published scope and Well Standards Section 1.6.
Training credit
The Board may credit qualifying technical or business-administration training for no more than one year, or accept equivalent knowledge, training or experience under HAR 16-77-19 and 16-77-20.
Waiver
The licensing authority may waive education or examination requirements upon documented equivalent knowledge, competence and qualifications. The identified current examinations remain leaves. Source: pvl-0021.html, HRS 436B-21, complete operative provision. Official text: §436B-21  Revoked license.   A person may apply for a new license after five years from the effective date of the revocation of the license by filing an application and complying with all current requirements for new applicants.  The licensing authority may waive any applicable education or examination requirements upon being satisfied that the applicant whose license has been previously revoked, has submitted documentation that the applicant has maintained equivalent knowledge, competence, and qualifications through work experience, training, or education.
Existing RME changing to sole proprietor status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Documents
Submit the status-change application and fee, dissociation letter, current accountant financial statement, tax clearance and credit report. Source: status-change.pdf, RME changing to sole proprietor, page 3. Official text: PRESENTLY A RME 1. $50 fee and complete application (CT-15). AND CHANGING TO 2. Letter from RME verifying dissociation from contracting entity. SOLE PROPRIETOR 3. Submit a current (not more than a year old) COMPILED, REVIEWED, OR AUDITED financial statement accompanied by an independent accountant's report. The accountant must be a licensed or certified public accountant holding a current permit to practice. If the accountant is licensed in another state, provide a copy of the license. For COMPILED and REVIEWED financial statements: Applicant is required to sign the Board's Financial Statement Form whether or not your CPA uses the Board's Financial Statement Form. 4. A current Hawaii State Tax Clearance, (not more than 6 months old) with an original State Department of Taxation stamp. 5. Current and complete credit report covering prior 5 year history. Issue date of credit report must be within 6 months of application date.
Existing license
Hold the current C-57 RME license and dissociate from the contracting entity.
Insurance
Supply required entity-level liability and workers compensation coverage before sole-proprietor operation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board conditions
The Board may require current insurance, financial statement, credit report, tax clearance and a bond; unspecified case-specific conditions remain applicant conditions, not invented examinations. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-63(b), page 77-22. Official text: (b) To reinstate a license which was under suspension, the licensee may, in addition to meeting any conditions imposed for reinstatement, be required to show proof of workers' compensation, liability, and property damage insurance, submit a current financial statement, credit report, tax clearance, and as added proof of financial integrity, a bond in an amount to be determined by the board.
Suspension
Hold a suspended C-57 license and comply completely with the suspension order and all applicable reinstatement fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration within the statutory forfeiture window
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Submit all required renewal documents, renewal fees and penalty fee within 60 days from September 30; HRS 444-15(b) controls the window.
Documents
Supply the applicable renewal documents and continue meeting license qualifications.
Existing license
The corresponding C-57 license was forfeited for nonrenewal.
Rule date
The rule states November 30; the statute specifies 60 days, which controls. Source: har-16-77.pdf, HAR 16-77-51, page 77-20. Official text: §16-77-51 Restoration of forfeited license. Forfeited licenses may be restored by filing a renewal application along with all required documents, and paying the renewal fees, including the recovery and education fund fees, plus a penalty fee on or before November 30 of the renewal year. Licensees who fail to restore their licenses by November 30 shall be required to apply as new applicants, and shall file a new license application form along with all required supporting documents and fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Business and Law

Examination outline
  • Business Organization
  • Contract Management
  • Estimating and Bidding
  • Financial Management
  • Labor Law
  • Licensing
  • Lien Law
  • Project Management
  • Risk Management
  • Safety - OSHA
  • Tax Laws
Examination sources

Hawaii C-57 – Well Contractor Examination

Examination outline
  • General Knowledge
  • Well Geology
  • Drilling and Location
  • Pumps and Pumping
  • Casings and Screens
  • Yield and Abandonment
  • Water Quality
Examination sources