The Auditor
State of Hawai‘i

A Comparative Study of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licenses

Report No. 05-14
December 2005

 

Foreword

Introduction

License Summaries

Accountant, Certified Public

Acupuncture

Chiropractor

Contractor

Electrician, Journeyman

Electrician, Supervising

Optometrist

Osteopathic Physician

Pharmacist

Pharmacy

Physician

Physician Assistant

Plumber, Journeyman

Plumber, Master

Podiatrist

Veterinarian

 

MASTER PLUMBER
Summary Overall Rank Experience Continuing Education License Fees Table

Summary

Hawai‘i ranked in the first quintile among the twenty-four states that license master plumbers. Hawai‘i’s nine year experience requirement and lack of reciprocity placed it among the top tier of states in requirements for a license. 

Requirement

Hawai‘i

Rank (quintile)

National Median

OVERALL RANK (quintile)

 1

 

 

Education and Experience

9 years experience

1

5 years experience

Examination

State exam required

Not ranked

State exam required

License Fees

$265

4

$295

Continuing Education

None

5

None. Only 5 states require continuing education.

Reciprocity or Endorsement

No

1

Yes. 15 of the 24 states have some form of reciprocity or endorsement.

 Notes on master plumber ranking: 

1 = most difficult, most requirements, highest fees.
5 = least difficult, fewest requirements, lowest fees. 

Licensing:  Twenty-four states issue a master plumber license that is comparable to Hawai‘i’s. Six states regulate master plumbers at the local government level.

Education and training: Rank is based on the years of experience required.
In states where an applicant is required to obtain a license or experience as a journeyman plumber, the education or experience requirement for a journeyman plumber was added to the licensing requirement for a master plumber.  

Examination: This category was not ranked. All states that license master plumbers require a written examination, and five states require a practical examination. 

Fees: Rank is based on the cost of an initial license, an annualized renewal fee. This reflects the cost of obtaining and renewing a license.  

Continuing education: This is expressed as hours per year.  Rank is based on whether a state requires continuing education. Only five states require continuing education. 

Reciprocity:  Rank is based on whether a state offers reciprocity or endorsement. A rank of 1 was assigned for states that do not have reciprocity or endorsement, and a rank of 5 for states that do.

Sources: In addition to state websites, we referred to Contractor's State Licensing Information Directory, National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies, 2005 Edition.