Key Takeaways
- Hawaii salesperson applicants must complete 60 hours of pre-license education from an approved provider
- The exam has 80 national questions and 50 state-specific questions, requiring 70% on each portion to pass
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Hawaii licenses expire on the licensee's birthday in even-numbered years (2-year term)
- Continuing education requires 20 hours per renewal period, including mandatory topics
Hawaii License Requirements
Hawaii has specific requirements for salesperson and broker licenses set by HREC and HRS Chapter 467.
Salesperson License Requirements
1. Basic Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Social Security Number | Required for application |
| Background | No disqualifying criminal history |
| Honest and truthful | Character and fitness |
2. Pre-License Education
Complete 60 hours of approved real estate education:
| Course Component | Hours |
|---|---|
| Real estate principles | 20 |
| Real estate law (including HRS 467) | 20 |
| Real estate practice | 20 |
| Total | 60 |
Note: Courses must cover Hawaii-specific content including HRS Chapter 467 (Real Estate) and HRS Chapter 514B (Condominiums).
3. Examination
| Detail | Salesperson Exam |
|---|---|
| National portion | 80 questions |
| State portion | 50 questions |
| Total questions | 130 |
| Passing Score | 70% on EACH portion |
| Exam Provider | Prometric |
4. Background Check
All applicants must submit fingerprints for background check:
- FBI and Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
- Check for disqualifying offenses
- Results sent directly to HREC
5. Fees (Approximate)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | ~$75 |
| Exam fee | ~$85 |
| License fee (2 years) | ~$80 |
| Recovery fund fee | ~$10 |
Broker License Requirements
To become a Hawaii real estate broker:
Experience Requirement
Must have held an active salesperson license for at least 3 years within the preceding 5 years.
Education Requirements
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Original 60 hours (salesperson) | 60 |
| Broker pre-license courses | Additional courses required |
Broker Examination
| Detail | Broker Exam |
|---|---|
| National portion | 80 questions |
| State portion | 50 questions |
| Passing Score | 70% on each portion |
License Term and Renewal
License Expiration
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Term length | 2 years |
| Expiration date | Licensee's birthday in even-numbered years |
| Grace period | 90 days after expiration (inactive status) |
Unique to Hawaii: Licenses expire on the licensee's birthday in even-numbered years, not a fixed date.
Continuing Education
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Total per renewal | 20 hours |
| Mandatory topics | Core (varies by renewal period) |
| Electives | Remaining hours |
| Cycle | Every 2 years |
Mandatory CE Topics
Topics that must be covered include:
- Hawaii real estate license law updates
- Fair housing
- Agency law
- Ethics
- Condominium law (HRS 514B)
Application Process
- Complete 60-hour course with HREC-approved school
- Pass course final exam (school-administered)
- Submit fingerprints for background check
- Submit application to Real Estate Branch
- Schedule exam with Prometric
- Pass state exam (70% on each portion)
- Activate license with sponsoring broker
How many hours of pre-license education are required for a Hawaii salesperson license?
What is the passing score for each portion of the Hawaii real estate exam?
When do Hawaii real estate licenses expire?