Hawaii Excavating, Grading and Trenching Contractor (C-17) Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package

The Hawaii Excavating, Grading and Trenching Contractor (C-17) Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package is designed for contractors preparing for the Hawaii C-17 specialty contractor licensing exam and the business/law knowledge connected with Hawaii contractor licensing. This Ultimate package combines excavation trade reference rentals, Hawaii business and law references, 1 year of course access, and Application Service in one organized preparation option.

The C-17 Excavating, Grading and Trenching Contractor classification is connected with earthwork, excavation, grading, trenching, site preparation, pipe excavation concepts, soil-related jobsite decisions, equipment awareness, slope and grade work, construction safety, and practical contractor responsibilities. Excavation and trenching work requires strong preparation because site conditions, soil stability, water, access, underground utilities, equipment movement, trench protection, and worker safety can all affect the job.

This package is built for students who want a more complete preparation path. The rental books provide access to the listed trade and business references, while the course helps organize study into a clearer routine. Application Service is included to support students with the licensing application side of the process while they focus on exam preparation.

Because this package is prepared for a closed book test, the included books are used before the exam as study references. Students should review the books, complete course lessons, revisit difficult sections, and practice applying the information to contractor-level questions. The goal is to build recall, understanding, and confidence with the C-17 trade and Hawaii business/law content.

Exam Details

The Hawaii Excavating, Grading and Trenching Contractor (C-17) exam is part of the licensing process for applicants pursuing this specialty contractor classification. Hawaii contractor licensing is handled through the Hawaii Contractors License Board under the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Contractor examinations are administered by PSI Services, LLC after the applicant has been approved by the Board to test.

Applicants must receive approval from the Hawaii Contractors License Board before registering for the applicable contractor examination. After approval, the applicant receives examination eligibility information with scheduling instructions. This makes it important to prepare for both the trade knowledge connected with the C-17 classification and the business/law knowledge connected with contractor licensing in Hawaii.

The C-17 trade preparation focuses on excavation, grading, trenching, earthwork, pipe excavation, site layout, slope control, soil conditions, construction equipment awareness, jobsite access, underground utility awareness, masonry and commercial construction coordination, building code concepts, and OSHA construction safety. Students preparing for this classification should review both the technical side of earthwork and the contractor-level judgment needed to plan and perform excavation activities safely and professionally.

The business and law materials support preparation for contractor management and Hawaii-specific contractor responsibilities. These references help students review business operations, project management, contracts, public contract requirements, wages and hours on public works, wage determinations, and related compliance topics that may affect contractors in Hawaii.

Closed Book Test

The Hawaii Excavating, Grading and Trenching Contractor (C-17) exam preparation covered by this package is for a closed book test. Books, printed notes, loose papers, tabs, highlights, and outside reference materials are not used as exam-room resources for this product’s preparation path. The included rental books are intended for study before exam day.

Closed book testing requires students to focus on retention, understanding, and application. Students should not rely on simply recognizing where information appears in a reference book. Instead, they should work toward understanding the concepts well enough to answer questions without looking up the material during the exam.

For trade preparation, students should review excavation planning, grading principles, trenching methods, soil conditions, slope and benching awareness, shoring concepts, pipe excavation, backfill, compaction, drainage, site layout, utility protection, equipment safety, masonry and commercial construction coordination, code-related concepts, and OSHA safety. For business and law preparation, students should study project management, contracts, public works rules, wage requirements, and Hawaii contractor responsibilities.

A strong closed book study plan includes reading assigned references, reviewing course lessons, taking notes, answering practice questions, and returning to weak areas until the information becomes easier to recall. Repetition is important because contractor exams often require practical understanding rather than simple memorization.

Licensing Steps

The licensing process begins with selecting the correct contractor classification. Applicants pursuing the Hawaii C-17 Excavating, Grading and Trenching Contractor license should make sure the classification matches the type of work they intend to perform. The C-17 classification is intended for specialty work involving excavating, grading, and trenching activities within the scope allowed by Hawaii.

After identifying the correct classification, applicants submit the required application materials to the Hawaii Contractors License Board. The Board reviews the application according to state licensing rules and procedures. Applicants must be approved by the Board before they can register for the applicable contractor examination.

Once the applicant receives approval to test, the exam may be scheduled through PSI. Applicants should follow the instructions provided in the examination eligibility information, including scheduling procedures, identification requirements, testing-center rules, and exam-day instructions.

Passing the required exam is one part of the full licensing process. Applicants must also complete the remaining requirements established by the Board before a license may be issued. These requirements are separate from this study package and may include business documentation, required fees, insurance-related information, responsible managing employee information, or other materials required for the applicant’s license type.

The Application Service included in this Ultimate package is intended to support students through the application side of the process. This added support helps students stay more organized while managing licensing paperwork and exam preparation at the same time.

State Requirements

Hawaii contractor licensing is regulated by the Hawaii Contractors License Board. The Board oversees contractor classifications, license applications, examinations, license issuance, renewals, and related licensing matters. Applicants must follow the state process and receive approval before registering for the contractor examination.

The C-17 Excavating, Grading and Trenching Contractor classification is a specialty contractor classification. Students preparing for this license should understand the trade scope and the responsibilities connected with professional excavation, grading, and trenching work. This includes knowledge of site preparation, soil conditions, grade control, trench safety, pipe excavation, backfill, compaction, equipment safety, and practical jobsite procedures.

Hawaii contractor licensing also includes business and law responsibilities. Contractors may need to understand public contracts, expenditure of public money, wages and hours on public works, wage determinations, project management, and general contractor business practices. The business books included in this Ultimate rental package support study of those topics.

Course enrollment, book rental, and Application Service do not replace the state licensing process. Students must still complete the application process, receive approval to test, schedule the exam properly, and satisfy all requirements set by the Hawaii Contractors License Board.

Reference Books

Please allow up to 15 business days for ultimate book package orders.

• Included Book: International Building Code, 2018
  This reference supports review of building code concepts, construction standards, site-related requirements, structural coordination, fire and life safety considerations, and code-based knowledge that may relate to excavation and site work.
• Included Book: Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction 11th Edition
  This book supports study of commercial construction methods, project sequencing, site work coordination, materials, construction systems, jobsite procedures, and practical construction knowledge useful for C-17 exam preparation.
• Included Book: Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter 10th edition
  This masonry reference supports review of masonry materials, foundations, wall systems, construction coordination, and related building knowledge that may connect with site preparation, excavation, and structural support work.
• Included Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This excavation reference supports study of pipe installation, trenching, excavation procedures, backfill, compaction, jobsite planning, equipment use, and practical field methods related to excavation contracting.
• Included Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This OSHA construction safety reference supports review of jobsite safety standards, excavation and trenching safety, hazard recognition, worker protection, equipment safety, fall protection concepts, and contractor safety responsibilities.
• Included Book: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management Hawaii edition 1st edition 2022
  This business and law reference supports study of contractor business practices, project management, contracts, financial management, labor topics, licensing responsibilities, and Hawaii-specific contractor requirements.
• Included Book: Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 103 Expenditure of Public Money and Public Contracts
  This Hawaii statute reference supports review of requirements related to public money, public contracts, and contractor responsibilities on public projects.
• Included Book: Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 104 Wages and Hours of Employees on Public Works
  This statute reference supports study of wage and hour requirements connected with public works projects and contractor labor responsibilities in Hawaii.
• Included Book: Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 12, Chapter 22 Wage Determinations
  This administrative rules reference supports review of wage determination requirements and related public works compliance topics for Hawaii contractors.

Test Information and Study Materials

The study materials in this Ultimate rental package support two major areas of preparation: C-17 trade knowledge and Hawaii contractor business/law knowledge. The trade books help students review excavation, grading, trenching, pipe excavation, site work, commercial construction coordination, masonry-related construction knowledge, code concepts, and OSHA safety. The business books help students review project management, contracts, public works rules, wage-related requirements, and Hawaii-specific legal topics.

For excavation and grading preparation, students should focus on the relationship between site conditions, layout, slope, drainage, cut and fill, compaction, equipment movement, access, and safe job planning. Earthwork requires careful attention to site conditions because soil type, water, utilities, grade requirements, and nearby structures can affect how the work should be performed.

For trenching and pipe excavation preparation, students should review trench safety, access and egress, utility awareness, bedding, pipe support, backfill, compaction, grade control, and equipment coordination. Trenching work is especially safety-sensitive, so students should connect OSHA safety principles with practical excavation decisions.

For safety preparation, the OSHA reference is an important study tool. Excavation work can involve cave-in hazards, heavy equipment, spoil placement, struck-by hazards, underground utilities, water accumulation, hazardous atmospheres, access issues, and public protection concerns. Students should study safety material as practical contractor knowledge rather than isolated regulation text.

For business and law preparation, students should study the NASCLA Hawaii guide and the Hawaii statutes and rules included in this package. These materials support review of contractor operations, public contracts, project responsibilities, wage requirements, public works obligations, and compliance topics that may apply to Hawaii contractors.

Because the exam is closed book, students should use an active study routine. A strong plan includes reading assigned sections, reviewing course lessons, answering practice questions, writing down difficult terms, and revisiting weak areas until the material becomes easier to recall. The course helps turn the books into a more organized study process.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps students prepare through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, business/law preparation, practice-oriented learning, and confidence-building study structure. Many contractor applicants have field experience but still need help turning that experience into exam-ready knowledge. This Ultimate package gives students a guided way to study the C-17 trade material and the Hawaii business/law content together.

The included course helps students move through the material with a clearer plan. Instead of trying to study several books without structure, students can review important topics, practice exam-style thinking, and return to the reference books when they need reinforcement. The rental books provide the source material, while the course helps organize the study path.

For trade study, 1 Exam Prep supports review of excavation, grading, trenching, pipe excavation, site preparation, OSHA safety, commercial construction coordination, and jobsite procedures. For business and law study, the package supports review of contractor management, public works rules, wage requirements, project responsibilities, and Hawaii-specific business topics.

Application Service adds another layer of support for students working through the licensing process. No course can guarantee a passing score, licensing approval, or a specific exam outcome. The value of this package is in the organized preparation support, access to the listed rental books, 1 year of course access, Application Service, and a study structure designed for contractor exam candidates.

FAQ Section

What is included in this Hawaii C-17 Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package?

This package includes rental access to the listed C-17 trade books, rental access to the listed Hawaii business and law books, 1 year of course access, and Application Service.

Which trade books are included?

The trade books include International Building Code, 2018; Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction 11th Edition; Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter 10th edition; Pipe and Excavation Contracting; and Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA).

Which business books are included?

The business books include NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management Hawaii edition 1st edition 2022; Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 103; Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 104; and Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 12, Chapter 22.

How much does the Ultimate package cost?

The package price is $1,705. The refundable deposit is $550. The total due today is $2,255.

Is Application Service included?

Yes. Application Service is included with this Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package.

How long is the course access?

This Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package includes 1 year of course access.

Is the Hawaii C-17 exam open book?

No. This package is prepared for a closed book test. The books are used as study references before the exam and are not exam-room materials.

Who administers Hawaii contractor exams?

Hawaii contractor examinations are administered by PSI Services, LLC after the applicant has been approved by the Hawaii Contractors License Board.

Do I need approval before scheduling the exam?

Yes. Applicants must be approved by the Hawaii Contractors License Board before registering for the applicable contractor examination.

Can this package guarantee that I will pass?

No. This package provides rental references, course access, Application Service, and organized exam preparation support, but it does not guarantee a passing score, licensing approval, or any state licensing outcome.