How To Become a Real Estate Agent in Hawaii

Obtaining a license from the Hawaii Realty Commission to work as a real estate agent in Hawaii allows you to help clients buy and sell properties across the islands. Are you curious about what it takes to become a real estate salesperson?

This guide will explain everything you need to know about getting your HI real estate license, including real estate agent education requirements and information on the real estate license background check.

Hawaii Professional Real Estate License

Here is an overview of the Hawaii Realty Commission requirements to obtain a professional real estate license in Hawaii.

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must complete 60 hours of pre-license coursework
• Must undergo and pass the criminal background check (fingerprinting)

Each requirement will be expounded further in the article.

Foundational Criteria For Gaining a Real Estate License

To become a real estate agent in Hawaii, you must meet specific criteria regarding your age, education level, and background checks.

Here is a breakdown of the most important boxes to check before you can begin your real estate journey:

Age and Fundamental Academic Criteria

Real estate agents in Hawaii must be at least 18 years old by the time they take their real estate agent examination.¹ That means you could start preparing before your 18th birthday if you know you want to pursue a career in real estate.

Before you can take the exam to become a real estate agent, you must also have earned a high school diploma (or the equivalent) by your examination date.

Obligatory Pre-License Course Hours

In addition to obtaining a high school diploma, real estate agents to-be must complete 60 hours of obligatory pre-license coursework. Alternatively, you can apply for a “Prelicensing Education Equivalency – Real Estate.”²

Once you have finished the pre-license course, you will receive a certificate of completion. You must present this certificate when you arrive to take your licensure exam.

After you’ve passed the examination, you must also submit your certificate alongside your application for a real estate license.

Your certificate of completion is valid for two years from the date it’s issued.

To obtain a “Prelicensing Education Equivalency – Real Estate” certificate, you must check one of the boxes listed below:

• You are a licensed real estate agent in another state and your license was active within a year prior to your application date
• You have a law degree from an accredited university in the United States
• You graduated with a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree in real estate or business from an accredited university in the United States.

You must submit the application for “Prelicensing Education Equivalency – Real Estate” with supporting documents, including proof of your license or degree.

Cost of Pre-Licensing Training in Real Estate

Hawaii is home to several schools that offer real estate pre-licensing training courses.³ Some are online, and others are in-person real estate classes.

The table below breaks down the prices and learning methods for some of the state’s most well-known schools:

Real Estate School Name	Online/In Person	Pre-Licensing Training Course Price
Abe Lee Seminars	Online	$4754
Bly School of Real Estate	In Person	$5005
Carol Ball School of Real Estate	Online	$8956
REMI School of Real Estate	Online	$275-$5597
Vitousek RE Schools, Inc	Online	$4758
Colibri Real Estate	Online	$377-$6989
The CE Shop	Online	$419-$68510

Mandatory Real Estate Background Check (Fingerprinting Center Information)

Before you can become a real estate salesperson in the state, the Hawaii Realty Commission requires you to also pass a criminal background check.

The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center provides background checks for the state of Hawaii based on fingerprints.

Fingerprinting services provided in-office are available by appointment only. You can schedule an appointment by calling the Criminal History Record Checks Unit at (808) 587-3279.

Before arriving for your in-office background check, download and print the HCJDC-073 form (Fingerprint Background Check and Fingerprint Services/Card).¹¹ You must also pay a service fee of $55.

The turnaround time typically takes between three and five business days.

If you wish, you can also submit fingerprints by mail. To do this, download and print the HCJDC-073 form (Fingerprint Background Check and Card Scan) and complete parts 1, 2, & 3.¹² Then, mail the form back with a full set of fingerprint card(s) to this address:

Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
Attn: CHRC Unit
465 S. King Street, Rm 102
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

You must also pay a service fee of $35. Include a USPS postage-paid, certified envelope if you want to receive the results of the background check by mail.