Construction / Masonry Contractor License / Hawaii
- Hawaii
- Masonry Contractor
- C-31 Specialty
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Hawaii C-31 Masonry Contractor License
What Hawaii’s C-31 Masonry Contractor license covers, the two closed-book exams you’ll take, and how to get approved to test.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Hawaii Contractors License Board requirements
Application fee
$50
Plus $80 C-31 exam and $80 Business Law exam
Exam time
5 hrs
120-min trade exam + 180-min Business Law
Time to get license
Not stated
Experience rules not in our sources
Continuing ed
Not stated
Not listed in our sources
Overview
Do you need a Hawaii masonry contractor license?
In Hawaii, masonry contracting falls under the C-31 Masonry Contractor specialty license. You apply to the state, and once approved you take the C-31 trade exam and the Business Law exam.
License required when
- Laying brick, block, CMU, stone, marble, granite and veneer, with or without mortar
- Precast concrete facing panels, fire clay products and refractories
- Concrete fencing, grout, rubble work, tuckpointing, sandblasting and masonry cleaning
- Placing and finishing cement concrete, plus drilling, sawing and coring
- Epoxy injection in concrete for structural purposes
Common exceptions
- Our sources don’t list exemptions for C-31 work
- Ask the Board whether your project needs a license before you bid it
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our sources don’t list specific penalties. In general, the Board can take action against people who contract without the required license, so get your C-31 before you take masonry jobs.
Your fast-track Hawaii masonry contractor license checklist
The Hawaii application, one page
- Confirm your work fits the C-31 scope
- Completed application approved by the state
- Passing C-31 trade exam (75%)
- Passing Business Law exam
- Any remaining Board licensing requirements
Types
Hawaii masonry contractor license types and classifications
Masonry is one of Hawaii’s C-class specialty contractor licenses.
C-31
Specialty
Masonry Contractor
Brick, block, stone, veneer, precast panels, refractories, concrete fencing, tuckpointing, concrete placing and finishing, and structural epoxy injection.
Exam
C-31 + Business Law
Limit
Not stated
Requirements
Hawaii masonry contractor license requirements, class by class
Here’s what our sources confirm for the C-31. Anything marked “Not stated” should be checked with the Board.
| Requirement | C-31 Masonry Contractor |
|---|---|
| Experience | Not stated |
| Application approval | Required before you schedule exams |
| Trade exam | C-31: 60 questions, 75% to pass |
| Business Law exam | 80 questions, 180 minutes |
| Exam format | Closed book |
| Application fee | $50, non-refundable |
Steps
How to get your Hawaii masonry contractor license, step by step
- Confirm the C-31 fits your workBefore you start
Make sure your masonry and concrete work matches the C-31 scope. - Submit your applicationBefore the exam
Send a completed application to the state for approval. You can’t schedule exams until it’s approved. - Study for closed-book examsBefore exam day
No books are allowed in the testing room, so you’ll need to know the material cold. - Pass the C-31 trade examExam day
60 questions in 120 minutes. You need 75% to pass. - Pass the Business Law examExam day
80 questions in 180 minutes, covering contracts, lien law, licensing, tax and public works law. - Receive your licenseAfter you pass
Finish any remaining Board requirements and get your C-31 license.
Exam
What to expect on the Hawaii masonry contractor exam
You take two closed-book exams: the C-31 Masonry Contractor trade exam and the Business Law exam. Plan on about 5 hours of testing in total.
Format
Closed book
Questions
60 + 80
Passing score
75% (trade)
Exam vendor
Not stated
Scoring & content
- C-31: 60 questions, 120 minutes, 75% to pass
- C-31 topics: plan reading and estimating, concrete block, brick, stone and glass block, mortar, grout, concrete placing and finishing, concrete framework, steel reinforcement, OSHA safety
- Business Law: 80 questions, 180 minutes
- Business Law topics include contracts, lien law, licensing, risk management, tax laws and public works law, including HRS Chapter 103 and Chapter 104
Retake policy
- Retake rules aren’t stated in our sources
- Each PSI exam fee is $80, valid for one year and not refundable; check with the Board for waiting periods
- Your application must be approved before you can schedule
Exam references · Closed book
Hawaii’s contractor exams are closed book, so you can’t bring any books into the testing room. Use these references to study for the C-31 Masonry trade exam and the Business & Law exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) — C-31 Masonry exam | 2018 | Study only |
| Modern Masonry — C-31 Masonry exam | Not stated | Study only |
| Carpentry and Building Construction — C-31 Masonry exam | 2016 student edition | Study only |
| Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction — C-31 Masonry exam | 4th edition | Study only |
| OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Construction Industry Regulations — C-31 Masonry exam | Not stated | Study only |
| NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Hawaii edition — Business & Law exam | 1st edition | Study only |
| Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 103, Expenditure of Public Money and Public Contracts — Business & Law exam | Not stated | Study only |
| Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 104, Wages and Hours of Employees on Public Works — Business & Law exam | Not stated | Study only |
| Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 12, Chapter 22, Wage Determinations — Business & Law exam | Not stated | Study only |
Prep
Best Hawaii masonry contractor exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Hawaii masonry contractor license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Fixed | $50 |
| Exam fees | Fixed | $160 ($80 each) |
| Original license fee | Fixed | $260 |
| Recovery fund fee | Fixed | $150 |
| Education fund fee | Fixed | $10 |
| Compliance resolution fund fee | Fixed | $74 or $148 |
| Study materials | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Application, both exams and original license fee; excludes fund fees | $470 |
Fees from HAR 16-53-17, the Contractors License Board application and the PSI contractor candidate bulletin, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Hawaii accept out-of-state masonry contractor licenses?
Our sources don’t list any reciprocity agreements for Hawaii’s C-31 Masonry license.
No reciprocity agreements
Our sources don’t list any, so plan to apply as a new applicant and pass both Hawaii exams. Ask the Board if your out-of-state license helps.
Local
Do Hawaii cities and counties have their own masonry contractor licensing rules?
Your C-31 license is issued by the state. Counties still handle building permits and inspections.
State handles
- C-31 licenses and classifications
- Application approval before exams
- Discipline of licensees
City & county handle
- Building permits and inspections
- Local requirements on your jobs
Governance
Who regulates masonry contractors in Hawaii
Licensing authority
Hawaii Contractors License Board
Contact details aren’t listed in our sources; check the Board’s website
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues C-31 and other specialty contractor licenses
- Approves applications before candidates can test
- Sets the trade and Business Law exam requirements
- Disciplines licensees
Maintenance
How to renew your Hawaii masonry contractor license and keep it active
Contractor licenses renew every 2 years, by September 30 of each even-numbered year. The biennial renewal fee is $190 for a contracting entity or sole proprietor and $60 for a responsible managing employee, plus a $5 education fund fee, a $10 recovery fund fee and a $148 compliance resolution fund fee. Late renewals are accepted until November 30 with a $50 penalty.
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years (Sept 30, even years)
CE hours
Not stated
Renewal fee
$190
Late penalty
$50
FAQ
Hawaii masonry contractor license FAQs
What license do I need to do masonry in Hawaii?
The C-31 Masonry Contractor license. It covers brick, block, stone, veneer, refractories, tuckpointing, concrete placing and finishing, and structural epoxy injection.
Is the Hawaii masonry exam open book?
No. Both the C-31 trade exam and the Business Law exam are closed book.
How many questions are on the C-31 exam?
60 questions in 120 minutes. You need 75% to pass.
What’s on the Business Law exam?
80 questions in 180 minutes on topics like contracts, lien law, licensing, risk management, tax and Hawaii public works law.
When can I schedule my exams?
After the state approves your completed application.
Sources
Official sources for the Hawaii masonry contractor license
- Hawaii Contractors License Board, C-31 Masonry Contractor classification
- HRS Chapter 103, Expenditure of Public Money and Public Contracts
- HRS Chapter 104, Wages and Hours of Employees on Public Works
- HAR Title 12, Chapter 22, Wage Determinations (PDF)
- HAR Chapter 16-53, DCCA fees (PDF)
- Hawaii Contractors License Board, Sole proprietor application (PDF)
- PSI, Hawaii Contractor Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Hawaii Contractors License Board.