HVAC Contractor Permit Requirements in Hilo, HI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Hawaii Department of Taxation — General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii has no sales tax. Instead the state levies a General Excise Tax on the gross income of the business itself, and unlike a sales tax it reaches services, commissions and rent as well as goods. Every business must register for a GET licence with the Department of Taxation on Form BB-1 before doing business. The rate is 4% statewide, rising to 4.5% on Oahu because of the 0.5% county surcharge, and it is owed on gross income whether or not it is passed on to the customer.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)·Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)

   Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

2. EPA Section 608 Certification (for refrigerants)

   Technicians who purchase, recover, or handle refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification. Required by federal law regardless of state.

   Official government source

   $20–$100 (exam)·1–2 days

   $20–$100 (exam)

   1–2 days

1. Hawaii Contractors License Board — HVAC Contractor License (C-52)

   HVAC contractors in Hawaii hold a C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning classification from the DCCA Contractors License Board. A qualifying individual — the sole proprietor or a responsible managing employee — takes the business and law examination and the trade examination. Technicians handling refrigerants separately need federal EPA Section 608 certification. A licence is required unless the aggregate contract price is $1,000 or less and no building permit is needed.

   Official government source

   $50 application fee, $75 per examination part (most classifications require two parts), and a license fee of $494–$663 for a contracting entity or sole proprietor ($334–$438 for a responsible managing employee), depending on where the issue date falls in the two-year licensing cycle. Biennial renewal is $338 for an active entity or sole proprietor.·Applications filed by the first Tuesday of a month are reviewed at the following month's Board meeting (the Board does not meet in December); the qualifying individual must pass the exams within six months of approval

   $50 application fee, $75 per examination part (most classifications require two parts), and a license fee of $494–$663 for a contracting entity or sole proprietor ($334–$438 for a responsible managing employee), depending on where the issue date falls in the two-year licensing cycle. Biennial renewal is $338 for an active entity or sole proprietor.

   Applications filed by the first Tuesday of a month are reviewed at the following month's Board meeting (the Board does not meet in December); the qualifying individual must pass the exams within six months of approval

2. Hawaii State General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii County does not issue a general county business license. Every business operating in Hilo must obtain a State of Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license, a one-time $20 filing with the Dept. of Taxation. Specific business types may need separate state or county permits.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)·Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)

   Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

3. Hawaii County Department of Public Works, Building Division — Mechanical Permit (per project)

   A mechanical permit must be obtained from the Hawaii County Department of Public Works, Building Division for each HVAC installation or major repair in Hilo — the County Finance Department has no building or permitting role. Inspections are required on completion.

   Official government source

   Set by the Hawaii County building permit fee schedule on the declared value of the work; there is no flat per-project rate published online·Applications are filed through the county's EPIC online permit system; review time depends on scope and whether plans require engineering review

   Set by the Hawaii County building permit fee schedule on the declared value of the work; there is no flat per-project rate published online

   Applications are filed through the county's EPIC online permit system; review time depends on scope and whether plans require engineering review

Official Sources

• Hawaii Contractors License Board — HVAC Contractor License (C-52)
• County of Hawaii Finance Department

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