How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Hawaii?

If you’re considering getting a real estate license in Hawaii, you need to get a clear picture of how much you need to spend.

From classes to the license application, costs add up. So, you have to prepare the right budget as early as now.

We’ve done all the research for you. Keep reading to see what the total financial investment could be when getting a real estate license in the Aloha State.

Pre-Licensing Coursework: $900+

To start the real estate licensing process, you need to enroll at one of the nearest real estate schools in Hawaii.

A set pre-licensing course for both a salesperson license and a broker license is required.

The salesperson course is 60 hours and the broker course is 80 hours. Brokers must also have at least three years of experience as a Hawaii-licensed salesperson within the prior five years.

Course schedules can be found online where you can also register and create your real estate license profile.

The cost of the pre-licensing education in Hawaii varies by year. In an odd-ending year, the cost is $1,026, but in an even-ending year, the cost is $963.

Exam Fee: $61

The real estate license exam in Hawaii is offered through PSI exams. The cost to take the exam, regardless of license type, is $61.

To register for the exam, you can go online, or call 855-579-4640.

On the day of your exam, arrive at least 30 minutes early to sign in. Bring proper identification with you as well. Your ID must have your signature and photo, and should not be expired.

You’ll have 240 minutes to complete the two-section exam regardless of license type, although the distribution of questions does vary.

On the salesperson exam, you have 150 minutes to answer 80 questions within the national section, and 90 minutes to answer 50 state-specific questions.

For the broker license exam, you are given 150 minutes to complete all 75 questions in the national section.

For the state-specific portion, you have 90 minutes to answer all 50 questions.

Exam Retake: $61

The passing rate for the salesperson real estate license exam in Hawaii is at least 70 percent. For those working toward their broker license, the minimum pass rate is 75 percent.

You’ll receive your score as soon as you complete the exam. Should you fail only one section of the exam, you only have to retake that portion.

In Hawaii, you have two years to retake the failed section, starting from the date you first pass. If you don’t pass within the two-year period, you must retake both sections.

You’ll also need to have an unexpired Hawaii School Completion Certificate or Pre-licensing Education Equivalence Certificate to continue retaking.

Each retake, regardless of how many sections you’re taking, costs $61. You can schedule a retake the following day after receiving a failing grade.

For example, if you fail the real estate license exam on a Tuesday, you can contact PSI on Wednesday, and retest as soon as Thursday if there’s an opening in the schedule.

You can avoid retakes by reading our guide on how to pass the Hawaii real estate exam the first time.

Background Check: $25

Once you’ve passed the real estate license exam in Hawaii, you’ll also need to submit documents for a background check.

The cost is $25, and you’ll receive detailed information at the testing site once you’ve passed. This information is reviewed along with your license application.

We discuss this process in detail, plus your chances of getting licensed with past convictions in our guide on getting a Hawaii real estate license with violations on your record.

License Application: $65 to $382

Because of the set license renewal schedule in Hawaii, the license application fee is a little less straightforward than one price per license.

The broker license, however, is simple. It’s $65, no matter when you submit your license application.

The salesperson license is a bit more difficult. Cost varies based on the year. Those applying within an even-numbered year pay $282. Those in an odd-numbered year pay $382.

Continuing Education: $150+

Real estate agents in Hawaii are required to complete 20 hours of approved continuing coursework for each two-year license period.

The hours must include:

• 6 hours of commission-designated core coursework
• 14 hours of elective credit hours

Hours must get completed by November 30 within their renewal year, and can be taken through any approved school.

Again, you’ll use your Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs Online Education account to update all your information and submit completion documents.

Education costs begin at $150 for a single 30-hour course and $50 for each additional. Shorter courses may carry a separate cost.

License Renewal: $268+

The Hawaii real estate license renewal fee varies by license type. You’ll need to renew your license every two years.

• Salesperson renewal: $268
• Sole proprietor broker renewal: $298
• Corporation/partnership broker renewal: $343

Real estate licensing fees in Hawaii are on the pricey side when you total everything up, so you might be thinking about ways to tighten up the budget.

While some prices are set in stone, there are a few options you may have when it comes to cutting down costs, including:

1. Buying a package from an approved real estate school that includes the course itself and study materials, instead of purchasing everything separately.

2. Trying to take your pre-licensing course online. Learning without a physical classroom can end up being less expensive than a class that’s totally in person.

To know more about the benefits of taking your education remotely, read our guide  comparing the pros and cons of real estate classes online vs. classroom courses.

3. Putting in the time to fully prepare for your real estate license exam so you pass it on the first try. Fewer retakes can mean a significant savings.

Read our tips on how to pass the real estate exam the first time.

Taking the real estate licensing process in Hawaii seriously, and putting in the maximum effort, can potentially help shave dollars off the total cost.

It can also help ensure you’ve made the process as efficient and possible, which means less money wasted in the long run.

Taking care of the licensing expenses is just one of the requirements of getting a real estate license in Hawaii. The process involves more steps to ensure you achieve your goal of being licensed in the state.

To allocate your time efficiently, read our article on how long to get a real estate license in Hawaii.

For your license to be activated, you have to be sponsored by a broker.

It’s a must to choose the right broker to work for to ensure you’re associated with a firm with the best credentials in the state. Find one by browsing our directory of the top-rated real estate brokerages.

When you get your license, you can then start planning your next steps after passing the real estate exam. Make sure the actions you take are aligned with your career goals.

You also don’t want to be in the dark when starting a real estate career.

It helps to know what experienced agents went through by reading their insight on the life of a real estate agent as a career.

Also, include joining a real estate team in your plans. There, you can meet established agents with the right wisdom you can apply when starting your own real estate business.

To help you build and grow your real estate career quickly, we at Real Estate Bees created a directory for real estate professionals.

It’s designed to help you get more exposure for your business, including receiving leads. Create a free profile by signing up here.

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About the Author

Kristina Morales is a REALTOR® with over 20 years of professional experience. She actively practices real estate in Ohio but also has practiced real estate in California and Texas. Conducting her real estate business in three states has allowed her to gain unique experiences that make her a well-rounded realtor. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and her MBA with a concentration in Banking and Finance. Prior to real estate, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking and treasury. She ended her finance career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX.