50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Hawaii Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Hawaii.

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Hawaii for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Hawaii Engineering Company Licenses

Hawaii Engineering Firm License

Not required



Engineering Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Hawaii.

Engineering firms are not licensed at the state level in Hawaii. Business entities are permitted to practice architecture provided that they comply with HAR § 16-115-4.

More information: Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors & Landscape Architects
Law:

HRS § 464.12

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a Hawaii licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.

Professional Corporations:

  • At least 1/2 of the directors of a Hawaii professional corporation and all of the officers, other than the secretary and the treasurer, must be individuals licensed to perform a professional service performed by the firm.
  • At least one director must be a resident of Hawaii.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint a Hawaii licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a Hawaii licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.

Hawaii Geology Firm License

Not required



Geoscience Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Hawaii.

Hawaii Land Surveying Firm License

Not required



Land Surveying Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Hawaii.

Land Surveying firms are not licensed at the state level in Hawaii. Business entities are permitted to practice architecture provided that they comply with HAR § 16-115-4.

More information: Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors & Landscape Architects

Individual Licenses

Hawaii Individual Engineering Licenses

Hawaii Geologist License

Not required



Professional Geoscientist licensure is not required on the State level in Hawaii.

Hawaii Land Surveyor License

Agency:Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors & Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Licensure - Land Surveyor

Agency Fee:

$100 exam fee + either $114 or $216 license fee depending on when the license will be issued.

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$216

Due:

By April 30 of even-numbered years.

Hawaii Professional Engineer License

Agency:Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors & Landscape Architects
Exam Required?Yes
Allow Digital Signatures?No
Digital Signature Guidelines:

All signatures required under this section shall be original. The use of rubber signature stamps, or computer-generated or other facsimile signatures is prohibited.

HAR § 16-115-9

Allow Digital Sealing?No
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

All signatures required under this section shall be original. The use of rubber signature stamps, or computer-generated or other facsimile signatures is prohibited.

HAR § 16-115-9

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Licensure - Engineer

Agency Fee:

$150 endorsement fee + $100 exam PE fee or $50 exam FE fee

Notes:
  • Possess the proper education and/or experience as contained below; and
  • Pass the NCARB's A.R.E.
  • Minimum Education & Experience 
  • Foreign Education 
    • In addition to the foregoing, graduates of foreign colleges (other than from a Canadian accredited college) must have their foreign
      architectural degree evaluated if they wish to have their degree(s) considered. (See below)

       

    • Applicants shall be required to have an Education Evaluation Services for Architects ("EESA") evaluation through The National Council of
      Architectural Registration Boards ("NCARB") by opening a My NCARB account.

  • Verification of education and experience 
    • Applicants are required to document his/her education and experience. You will need to document your experience in the record portion
      of the application. However, your level of education and pathway for licensure will dictate the type of additional verification you will need
      to submit. Refer to the listing below for ways to provide evidence of your experience:

1. NCARB Council Records may be submitted in lieu of #2, #3 and #4 below (for licensure via endorsement).
2. Completion of Architectural Experience Program (for licensure via AXP/exam): Please notify NCARB to provide this information.
3. Supervised experience: You must have form EAS-13 "Verification of Supervision" completed by your supervisor(s). If your supervisor
 is no longer available, contact your original state of licensure and have them submit copies of documentation on your experience
 directly to the Board.
4. Experience in responsible charge (for licensure via endorsement): You must have form EAS-11(c) completed by a person other than
 the applicant. Please note that experience in responsible charge will require twice the amount of the required lawful experience. (For
 example: Every two (2) years of experience in responsible charge will be credited for one (1) year of the required lawful experience.)

Required Attachments:
  • For NCARB certificate holders:

1. Complete application, sign and date, then request NCARB to transmit your NCARB Council Record; AND
2. Non-refundable application fee of $150 - via Endorsement made payable to: Commerce & Consumer Affairs. (check must be in
 U.S. dollars and be from a U.S. financial institution.)

 

  • For those who are not NCARB certificate holders:

1. Complete the entire application; provide details of your experience in the "Experience Record" portion (keep in mind that "supervisor"
 refers to a licensed architect other than yourself).
2. Provide a copy of all pertinent diplomas or official transcript(s) from an approved school or college.
3. Depending on your pathway, the Board will be awaiting submission of one or more of the following:
 a. Documentation of your completion of AXP from NCARB.
 b. "Verification of Supervision" form completed by your supervisor(s) who is a licensed architect.
-2-
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3)
 c. "Verification of Exam/License" form from another state board.
 d. "Experience in Responsible Charge" form from a licensed architect.
4. EESA evaluation report if you are a graduate of a foreign college other than from a Canadian accredited college.
5. Non-refundable application fee of $150 - via Endorsement, $100 - via Examination made payable to:
 Commerce & Consumer Affairs. (check must be in U.S. dollars and be from a U.S. financial institution.

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Verification of Exam/License – EASLA & Requirements & Application

Required Attachments:

Verification of your exam scores and CURRENT license(s) must be accomplished. Send the "Verification of Exam/License" form S-1
to the state in which you were ORIGINALLY LICENSED BY EXAMINATION with the appropriate service fee, if any. Contact your state
licensing agency for any charge. If more than one form is needed, in cases where the exams were taken in more than one state or you are
licensed in more than one state, please duplicate. Completion of this form will also serve to verify your out-of-state license. Alternatively,
request NCARB to submit your Council Records.

 

1. Complete the entire application; provide details of your experience in the "Experience Record" portion (keep in mind that "supervisor"
 refers to a licensed architect other than yourself).
2. Provide a copy of all pertinent diplomas or official transcript(s) from an approved school or college.
3. Depending on your pathway, the Board will be awaiting submission of one or more of the following:
 a. Documentation of your completion of AXP from NCARB.
 b. "Verification of Supervision" form completed by your supervisor(s) who is a licensed architect.
-2-
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3)
 c. "Verification of Exam/License" form from another state board.
 d. "Experience in Responsible Charge" form from a licensed architect.
4. EESA evaluation report if you are a graduate of a foreign college other than from a Canadian accredited college.
5. Non-refundable application fee of $150 - via Endorsement, $100 - via Examination made payable to:
 Commerce & Consumer Affairs. (check must be in U.S. dollars and be from a U.S. financial institution.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$204

Due:

By April 30 of even-numbered years.

Learn about engineering licensing in other states:

Design Firm - Engineering firm registration is sometimes grouped with architecture and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

EI (Engineering Intern) - A term also used to describe an Engineer in Training.

EIT (Engineer in Training) - A professional designation granted upon having completed at least 3 years of school at an ABET-accredited university and having passed the FE exam.

FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) - An exam testing on basic engineering principles that is required to become an engineer in training.

PE (Professional Engineer or 'Principles and Practice in Engineering') - Means either Professional Engineer or refers to the Principles and Practice in Engineering exam that is a prerequisite for an engineering license.

Reciprocity - When a licensed engineer in one state can provide documentation (often an NCEES Record) to more easily apply for a license in another jurisdiction.

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accrediting board that sets standards for university programs in a variety of applied science disciplines.

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Engineering, architecture, and land surveying advocacy group.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Mechanical engineering organization that focuses on education and professional development.

Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
Reviews accreditation requirements and makes final decisions regarding the accreditation process.

National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)
Develops, administers, and scores the exams used for engineering licenses.

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
NSPE is an advocacy group for professional engineers.