Do you want a prospering career as a real estate agent today?
Helping people own their dream home or property can be very rewarding. You can choose your own schedule, and have unlimited income potential too.
Getting a real estate license in Hawaii is a great opportunity to get started.
Here’s what you need to do…
Prequalifications
To get a Hawaii real estate license, you first need to meet the following general requirements:
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a US citizen, US National or alien authorized to work in the US by the exam day
• Have a Social Security Number for identity verification
• Have proof of reputation of “competency, honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing”
How Can I Get a Hawaii Real Estate License?
Don’t know where to start? We’ve got your back. Here are the steps to guide you as you venture into this career.
Step One: Complete 60 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
All applicants must complete 60 hours of Hawaii Real Estate Commission approved Pre-Licensing Education course or its equivalent.
The Pre-licensing real estate education course is best taken online from accredited schools for convenience.
You must also pass the course final exam. The course exam consists of 130 questions, with a minimum passing score of 70%. A certificate of course completion will be given to you and is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance.
This requirement can also be satisfied through a Pre-licensing education equivalency, with school completion certification as proof. These are valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. They may either be:
• Licensed in another state with similar or superior education requirements as determined by the real estate commission Hawaii.
• A graduate of an accredited law school in the United States.
• A graduate of a Bachelor of Science degree in accredited US colleges or universities who have majored in real estate or business courses.
Step Two: Pass the Hawaii Real Estate License Exam
You must first register and schedule for your real estate exam.
For available dates, you may refer to the Hawaii Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin, which is distributed to those who have passed the pre-licensing education course, and to those who have been issued a Prelicensing Education Equivalency Certificate.
You may schedule directly with PSI. Walk-in testing is not allowed.
The next thing you need to do is pass the exam with at least a score of 70%. If you don’t pass one or both exams, you will need to schedule a retake on the next business day.
Step Three: Apply for your Hawaii Real Estate License
The testing center will inform all licensees of the necessary instructions, fees to pay, documentation, test scores, and application forms to comply.
You must file an application within two years of passing the licensing examination. All requirements for application should be sent by mail or hand-delivered.
Step Four: Sign with a Sponsoring Broker
To be actively selling with a real estate Hawaii license, you must be associated with an active real estate brokerage firm or sole proprietor in the state of Hawaii.
Getting signed with the right company is key to your professional success. Do consider their reputation as a company, their management, and their support for both their new and tenured agents.
Support and help may be in the form of continuing education, employee benefits, and marketing materials.
How much will it cost to get a Real Estate License in Hawaii?
Pre-license education course fees will depend on the schools you will enroll in. The course often costs a few hundred dollars with complete learning materials and exam reviewers already.
The registration fee to take the Hawaii Real Estate exam is $68. Retakes, regardless if you only need to take one of the two portions of the exam, will cost the same.
What is the Hawaii Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam?
The real estate licensing exam is divided into two parts: the National Exam and State Specific Exam. The national part comprises 80 questions. To pass, an examinee must answer 56 (70%) out of the 80 questions correctly.
The state part consists of 50 questions. An examinee must answer 35 (70%) of these questions correctly to pass. The total time allotted for the exams is 4 hours. You must finish within this time frame.
The licensing exam is computer-based. You will sit in front of a screen and use a keyboard to take the test. PSI allows you to bring a simple functioning calculator. 10% of the exam questions involve solving math problems.
Be sure to bring two proofs of identification to the testing site and arrive at least 30 minutes early. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you can no longer take your scheduled exam.
How Can I Get a Broker License in Hawaii?
After some time of practicing as a licensed real estate salesperson, it’s about time to level up to become a real estate broker. Here’s what you need:
Salesperson License
To apply as a broker in Hawaii, you must currently hold a Hawaii real estate salesperson license, or a current salesperson or broker license in another state that has an equivalent licensing law.
Experience
Before taking the licensing exam, candidates must have at least three (3) years within a five year period of full-time experience as a Hawaii real estate agent.
You’ll need to apply for an experience certificate of which the Commission will approve.
You may also request for a determination of equivalency of experience in case you hold a license from another state.
You must present the original experience certificate together with your application at the examination site. The certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance.
Education
New applicants for a broker license are still required to take a Pre-Licensing course. The course completion certificate is valid for 2 years.
Equivalency education may also meet the pre-license course requirement. This is the same requirement as for those applying as salespersons.
Examination
Schedule, and pass the broker’s license examination. You can directly apply at PSI.
Does Hawaii have a Reciprocity Agreement with the Other States?
No, Hawaii does not have a reciprocity agreement with any other state.
However, those who have a current real estate license in another state may be able to take only the Hawaii part of the exams when applying.
We hope this article helps you well as your course through your real estate profession. For questions, feel free to leave us a message in the Comments section below.
