Fire protection licensing in Hawaii
Fire protection contractors in Hawaii are licensed by the Contractors License Board (DCCA) as C-20 Fire Protection or C-20a Fire Repressant Systems specialty contractors, with a Prometric state exam. Technicians who maintain and test extinguishers, sprinkler and other suppression systems, or fire alarm systems need a certificate of fitness from their county fire department under a statewide rule (HAR 12-44.1, effective 2018). The certificate is issued on an approved third-party certificate: the State Fire Council names NICET and ICC, with NICET Level II the minimum for fire alarm.
Some cities and counties in Hawaii add their own requirements on top of the state's. Confirm with your local fire marshal before you rely on this page.
What each trade needs in Hawaii
Fire sprinkler
C-20 Fire Protection Contractor (and C-20a Fire Repressant Systems Contractor)
- Issued by
- Hawaii Contractors License Board (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, PVL)
- Who needs it
- Contractors laying out and installing fire protection systems (C-20); dry chemical fire repressant systems (C-20a)
- What it takes
- The responsible managing employee passes the Contractors License Board exams (business/law plus the C-20 or C-20a trade exam) and meets the board's experience requirements (HAR 16-77).
State exam: Prometric C-20 Fire Protection exam (no. 111519) or C-20a Fire Repressant Systems exam (no. 111520)
Sources: HAR 16-77 Exhibit (specialty classifications list); HAR 16-77-39 (Examination part I), via Cornell LII; Prometric Hawaii C-20 content outline (listed; download blocked to automated fetch)
Inspection, testing and maintenance
Certificate of Fitness to maintain and test portable fire extinguishers, water-based extinguishing systems, other (non-water) extinguishing systems, and/or fire alarm systems
- Issued by
- Issued by each county fire department (Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai) under HAR Chapter 12-44.1 (State Fire Council rule, HRS 132-16)
- Who needs it
- Anyone who maintains and tests portable extinguishers, fire protection systems or fire alarm systems. The certificate covers only the system types listed on it.
- What it takes
- Apply to your county fire department with a driver's license, an approved third-party certificate, and proof of private-hydrant training where applicable. 3-year term (HAR 12-44.1). The State Fire Council names ICC and NICET as the approved third parties, sets NICET Level II as the minimum for fire alarm systems, and does not accept manufacturer training except for older dry-chemical kitchen systems and private hydrants.
NICET: NICET Level II minimum for fire alarm systems
ICC: ICC certification accepted; kitchen system and portable extinguisher technicians certify through ICC
Sources: HAR 12-44.1-1 (Definitions), eff. 7/30/2018, via Cornell LII; HAR 12-44.1-2 (General provisions), via Cornell LII; Hawaii State Fire Council, Systems Testing Information (rule-making Q&A, 2015)
Practice for these credentials
These national exams are named in the requirements above. Each has a free sample test.
NICET Fire Alarm Systems
Most-pursued fire-alarm credential — design, layout & installation.
Named in: Certificate of Fitness to maintain and test portable fire extinguishers, water-based extinguishing systems, other (non-water) extinguishing systems, and/or fire alarm systems
ICC Portable Extinguisher Technician
Service, inspect & recharge portable fire extinguishers.
Named in: Certificate of Fitness to maintain and test portable fire extinguishers, water-based extinguishing systems, other (non-water) extinguishing systems, and/or fire alarm systems
ICC Kitchen Suppression Technician
Install & service wet chemical systems over commercial cooking.
Named in: Certificate of Fitness to maintain and test portable fire extinguishers, water-based extinguishing systems, other (non-water) extinguishing systems, and/or fire alarm systems
Sources
Statutes, administrative codes and licensing agency pages, checked November 13, 2026. Rules change; the agency's current text governs.
- HAR 16-77 Exhibit (specialty classifications list)
- HAR 16-77-39 (Examination part I), via Cornell LII
- Prometric Hawaii C-20 content outline (listed; download blocked to automated fetch)
- HAR 12-44.1-1 (Definitions), eff. 7/30/2018, via Cornell LII
- HAR 12-44.1-2 (General provisions), via Cornell LII
- Hawaii State Fire Council, Systems Testing Information (rule-making Q&A, 2015)