This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
TABLE OF CONTENTSThe process of how to become a real estate agent in Hawaii is straightforward. First, complete the 60 hours of required prelicensing education from a Hawaii Real Estate Branch (HREB) accredited school. Then pass the Hawaii real estate licensing exam, find a sponsoring brokerage, and submit your application. Follow the steps below to get your Hawaii real estate license so you can say “Aloha!” to a successful career in real estate.
Hawaii has a few prerequisites to get your real estate license and become an agent in the Aloha State. You must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, and be a lawfully admitted resident of the U.S. In addition, you must have a reputation for or a record of competency, honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity, and fair dealing.
This means that if you have a criminal background, you may have difficulty getting a real estate license in Hawaii. If this is the case, before enrolling in prelicensing courses, complete the Request for Preliminary Decision Application and submit supplemental documentation outlining the offense(s). The HREB will review your information to determine whether you qualify for licensing.
Hawaii doesn’t have reciprocity agreements with any other state, but you may qualify for an Equivalency to the Prelicense Education Requirement and/or the Equivalency to the Uniform Examination if you’ve had a real estate license in another state for a year or more. If you qualify, you won’t need to complete prelicensing education, but will still be required to submit an application and pass the state portion of the real estate exam in order to obtain your real estate license in Hawaii.
Also, Hawaii is a physical state in terms of portability. Agents and brokers from other states can do business in Hawaii, but aren’t allowed to enter Hawaii for the purpose of conducting real estate business. They must do so remotely and may not enter the state for showings, closings, or any other reason.
Once you’ve determined you meet the legal requirements to become a real estate agent in Hawaii, it’s time to enroll in real estate prelicensing courses. This is an important investment, as classes prepare you not only to take the state licensing exam but also for success in your chosen career. The HREB requires you to complete 60 hours of education in person or at an accredited online real estate school.
The cost of prelicensing courses for aspiring Hawaii real estate agents ranges from $345 to $849, and they encompass the following topics:
If you have a law degree or a bachelor’s degree in real estate or business from an accredited U.S. school, you can bypass the prelicensing education requirements and skip right to the application and exam portion of the Hawaii real estate licensing process.
If you’re looking to get your licensing education started, we recommend Colibri Real Estate’s online prelicensing courses. Choose from four package options and tailor your education to your needs. All tiers include 60 hours of education, instructor support, and two real estate e-books. Higher-tier packages also have more interactive online elements, such as live instructor question-and-answer sessions and exam preparation.
The Hawaii real estate exam is split into two sections, the general/uniform and state sections, and you must pass both to obtain your real estate license in Hawaii. The average pass rates for the general/uniform portion is 56% and the state portion is 46%, so while the exam is difficult, it is not impossible.
Your test will be administered on the computer and your score will be displayed on the screen at the end of the examination period. If you fail, a diagnostic report identifying your strengths and weaknesses will be emailed to you so you can use it as a study tool. If you pass one section of the exam but fail the other, you’ll only be required to retake the failed section.
You must pass both sections within two years of your first examination date. To retake one or both sections of the exam, you can reschedule 24 hours after your first attempt.