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HRS §373-5

How to apply for an employment agency license

This section explains who must apply for a license to run an employment agency and what they need to do. It also covers the exam for principal agents, what happens if they become inactive, and the honesty requirements for applicants.

businessesemployeesemployers

The statute, as written — Application for license

(a) Every individual, partnership, corporation, or association seeking a license to operate an employment agency shall file a written application with the director that shall contain such information and shall be in such form as the director may prescribe; provided that in addition to complying with all other requirements of this chapter, no license shall be issued unless the applicant either has passed a certified employment consultant examination as designated by the director or has in the applicant's employ a principal agent. (b) Every principal agent shall file a written application with the director that shall contain such information and shall be in such form as the director may prescribe and no license shall be issued unless the applicant has passed a certified employment consultant examination as designated by the director. The examination shall cover the following: (1) Interview principles and techniques; (2) Job descriptions and specifications; (3) Placement procedure, including recruitment, solicitation, and referral; (4) Aids for applicants; (5) Agency management; (6) General principles of business law; and (7) State statutes and rules relating to an employment agency. (c) A principal agent who does not engage in the employment agency business in the State during the succeeding year shall not be required to pay the renewal fee as long as the principal agent remains inactive. Should the principal agent wish to resume work as a principal agent at some future time, the principal agent shall so notify the director and remit the renewal fee for the current biennial period. (d) Every applicant, including all officers, directors, partners, members, or managers of the applicant, shall possess a reputation for honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, and fair dealing and shall not have been convicted of a felony directly related to the operation of a commercial employment agency, unless the conviction has been expunged or annulled.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.