Hawaii Life & Health Insurance Exam 2026

Welcome to your FREE Hawaii Life & Health Insurance exam preparation guide. This comprehensive study resource covers Hawaii-specific insurance laws, regulations, and requirements you need to pass your state licensing exam.

Note: This guide covers Hawaii state-specific content. You should also study national Life & Health insurance concepts, as the majority of the exam tests general insurance knowledge.

Why Get Licensed in Hawaii?

Hawaii offers unique opportunities for insurance professionals:

• Island Market: Exclusive, isolated market with limited competition
• Tourism Economy: High demand for travel insurance and hospitality-related coverage
• Military Presence: Significant insurance needs from military families at Pearl Harbor, Schofield Barracks, and other bases
• Aging Population: Growing demand for Medicare supplements, long-term care, and health insurance
• No Pre-License Education: One of the easiest states to enter the insurance profession
• Diverse Population: Multicultural market requiring cultural competency and language skills
• High Cost of Living: Creates strong demand for life insurance and financial protection products

What This Guide Covers

This FREE study guide includes:

• Hawaii Insurance Law & Regulations - Insurance Division structure, Commissioner powers, HRS Chapter 431
• Life Insurance - Hawaii-specific provisions, policy requirements, beneficiary rules
• Health Insurance - Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act, state mandates, consumer protections
• Licensing Requirements - Application process, exam structure, CE requirements
• Practice Questions - Quiz questions in each chapter to test your knowledge

Exam Format & Requirements

Pre-License Education

Hawaii does NOT require pre-licensing education for Life & Health insurance. However, completing an approved pre-license course is highly recommended to prepare for the exam. Most successful candidates complete a preparatory course covering:

• General insurance concepts and principles
• Life insurance products and policies
• Health insurance types and coverage
• Hawaii insurance laws and regulations
• Ethics and professional conduct

Exam Tip: While Hawaii doesn't mandate pre-licensing education, the exam is comprehensive. Consider taking a 20-40 hour course to strengthen your chances of passing on the first attempt.

Exam Structure

Combined Life & Health Option

You may also take a combined Life, Accident & Health exam if pursuing both lines of authority.

Exam Costs

• Life Insurance Exam Fee: $75
• Health Insurance Exam Fee: $75
• Combined L&H Exam Fee: $75
• License Application Fee: $36
• Fingerprinting/Background Check: Approximately $45-60 (if required)

Testing Options

Hawaii offers two testing methods through Pearson VUE:

1. In-Person Testing: Available at Pearson VUE testing centers across Hawaii
2. Online Testing (OnVUE): Remote proctored exams from your home or office

ID Requirements

You must bring two forms of government-issued ID with your signature, at least one of which includes a photograph.

Application Process

Steps to Get Licensed

1. Study and Prepare: Complete recommended pre-license course (not required but recommended)
2. Schedule Exam: Book with Pearson VUE online at pearsonvue.com or by phone at (800) 274-2608
3. Pass Exam: Score 70% or higher on both General Knowledge and State Law sections
4. Submit Application: Apply through NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry) or Hawaii Insurance Division
5. Background Check: Complete fingerprinting at IdentoGO or approved location (if required)
6. Receive License: Hawaii Insurance Division issues license

Exam Exemptions

An individual who applies for an insurance producer license in Hawaii and who was previously licensed for the same lines of authority in another state shall not be required to complete any prelicensing education or examination if:

• The person is currently licensed in another state, OR
• The application is received within 90 days of the cancellation of the applicant's previous license

Exam Content Areas

General Knowledge Section

The general knowledge portion covers fundamental insurance principles:

1. General Insurance Concepts (15-20%)

   • Risk and insurance fundamentals
   • Policy structure and provisions
   • Insurable interest and indemnity
   • Insurance company operations

2. Life Insurance Products (25-30%)

   • Term life insurance
   • Whole life and universal life
   • Variable life products
   • Annuities and retirement products

3. Health Insurance Products (25-30%)

   • Major medical and comprehensive plans
   • Medicare and Medicaid
   • Disability income insurance
   • Long-term care insurance

4. Policy Provisions & Contract Law (15-20%)

   • Policy structure and interpretation
   • Standard provisions
   • Optional provisions
   • Policy riders and endorsements

Hawaii State Law Section

The Hawaii-specific portion focuses on state laws and regulations:

1. Hawaii Insurance Division & Regulation

   • Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs structure
   • Insurance Commissioner appointment and powers
   • Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 431 (Insurance Code)
   • Producer licensing and continuing education

2. Hawaii Life Insurance Laws

   • Policy delivery requirements
   • Free look period (10 days minimum)
   • Beneficiary designation rules
   • Policy replacement regulations

3. Hawaii Health Insurance Laws

   • Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act (unique to Hawaii)
   • Mandatory employer health coverage
   • State health insurance mandates
   • COBRA continuation rights

4. Hawaii-Specific Regulations

   • Prohibited practices and unfair trade practices
   • Claims handling requirements
   • Cancellation and non-renewal rules
   • Consumer protection laws

Hawaii's Unique Insurance Environment

Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act

Hawaii is the only state with a mandatory employer-sponsored health insurance law. The Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act (1974) requires:

• Employers to provide health insurance to employees working 20+ hours per week for 4 consecutive weeks
• Coverage must meet minimum benefit standards
• Employers must pay at least 50% of premiums
• Employees cannot be charged more than 1.5% of their wages for dependent coverage

This unique law significantly impacts the health insurance market and is heavily tested on the exam.

Military Market Considerations

Hawaii has significant military presence:

• Multiple major military bases (Pearl Harbor, Schofield Barracks, Marine Corps Base Hawaii)
• Service members and families need life, health, and supplemental insurance
• Tricare and VA benefits coordination
• SGLI/VGLI transition assistance
• SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) compliance required

Multicultural Market

Hawaii's diverse population requires cultural competency:

• Large Asian and Pacific Islander communities
• Multiple language needs (Japanese, Tagalog, Chinese, Korean)
• Cultural considerations in insurance sales
• Understanding of extended family structures

License Maintenance & Continuing Education

CE Requirements

• Total Hours: 24 hours every 2 years
• Ethics Requirement: 3 hours of ethics CE required
• Deadline: CE must be completed before license expiration

License Renewal

• Renewal Period: Every 2 years
• Renewal Process: Through NIPR or Hawaii Insurance Division
• Late Renewal: Additional fees may apply

Reporting Requirements

• Report address changes within 30 days
• Report administrative actions within 30 days
• Maintain records for required period

Study Strategy

Recommended Study Plan

Week 1-2: National L&H Fundamentals

• Insurance principles and terminology
• Life insurance products and policies
• Health insurance coverages
• Policy provisions and contract law

Week 3: Hawaii-Specific Content

• Hawaii Insurance Division and regulations
• Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act
• State insurance statutes
• Producer licensing requirements

Week 4: Practice & Review

• Take practice exams
• Review missed questions
• Focus on weak areas
• Memorize key numbers and dates

Key Numbers to Memorize

Exam Requirements

• Passing Score: 70%
• Life Exam: 96 questions in 120 minutes
• Health Exam: 95 questions in 120 minutes
• Exam Fee: $75 per exam

Licensing Requirements

• Pre-License Education: Not required
• Continuing Education: 24 hours every 2 years
• Ethics CE: 3 hours every 2 years
• License Application Fee: $36

Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act

• Employee threshold: 20+ hours per week for 4 consecutive weeks
• Employer contribution: At least 50% of premium
• Maximum employee contribution for dependents: 1.5% of wages

Hawaii Insurance Resources

Official Resources

• Hawaii Insurance Division: cca.hawaii.gov/ins
• Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 431: capitol.hawaii.gov
• Pearson VUE Exam Information: pearsonvue.com
• NIPR Licensing Portal: nipr.com

Important Contacts

• Hawaii Insurance Division: (808) 586-2790
• Pearson VUE Testing: (800) 274-2608
• NIPR Licensing: (816) 783-8990

Getting Started

This study guide is organized into chapters covering Hawaii-specific requirements:

Chapter 1: Hawaii L&H Regulation & Licensing

• Hawaii Insurance Division structure
• Producer licensing requirements
• Continuing education requirements
• Prohibited practices and ethics

Chapter 2: Hawaii Life Insurance

• State policy requirements
• Free look and replacement rules
• Beneficiary provisions
• Group life insurance

Chapter 3: Hawaii Health Insurance

• Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act
• State health mandates
• Medicare supplement regulations
• Long-term care requirements

Chapter 4: Hawaii Ethics & Professional Conduct

• Producer duties to clients
• Unfair trade practices
• Claims handling requirements
• Record keeping and documentation

Ready to start? Begin with Chapter 1 to learn about Hawaii's regulatory structure and licensing requirements.

Disclaimer

This study guide is for educational purposes only and reflects Hawaii insurance laws and regulations as of January 2026. Insurance laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Hawaii Insurance Division before relying on any information for licensing or business decisions.

Good luck on your Hawaii Life & Health insurance exam!