Real Estate School in Hawaii: Pre-Licensing Course Requirements
Hawaii requires 60 hours of Commission-accredited pre-licensing education for salesperson candidates and 80 hours for broker candidates, covering real estate law, finance, property ownership, contracts, disclosures, and Hawaii-specific topics like condominium law and HARPTA/FIRPTA. The Hawaii Real Estate Branch (REB) approves courses delivered online, via live Zoom, and in person, and a completion certificate from an accredited real estate school is required to sit for the state licensing exam administered by PSI Services.
Hawaii pre-licensing course requirements
The salesperson pre-licensing course is 60 hours and the broker course is 80 hours. Both require completion through a Commission-accredited provider. A MyPVL account through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is required at enrollment, because the account information is used to generate the course completion certificate needed to sit for the licensing exam (Hawaii REB Salesperson Prelicense Information[1]).
Hawaii requires candidates for the salesperson or broker examination to complete a prelicense course accredited by the Hawaii Real Estate Commission, unless granted a prelicense education equivalency. The Commission provides separate prelicense curricula for salesperson and broker candidates, and courses are available in both classroom and internet-delivered formats. A MyPVL account is necessary to sign up for a prelicense course, and the course completion certificate is required to sit for the licensing examination.
There is no age or residency requirement to enroll in a pre-licensing course, though candidates must meet state eligibility requirements to take the licensing exam. You do not need to be a Hawaii resident to take the course or apply for a license.
Hawaii requires real estate license applicants to be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or alien authorized to work in the United States. Salesperson candidates must complete Commission-approved prelicensing education and pass the PSI-administered exam with 70% or higher on both the national and state sections. A complete license application must be submitted within 2 years of the exam date, and to hold an active license, the applicant must be associated with an active Hawaii real estate brokerage firm. A MyPVL account is necessary to sign up for a prelicense course and receive the completion certificate required to sit for the exam.
The salesperson license covers all real estate activity in Hawaii, regardless of sector.
Hawaii does not issue a separate commercial real estate agent license. To work as a real estate agent in any sector, an individual must obtain a Hawaii real estate salesperson license by being at least 18 years old, holding a high school diploma or equivalent, completing Commission-approved prelicensing education, and passing the PSI-administered exam with 70% or higher on both the national and state sections. The salesperson must then be associated with a Hawaii-licensed real estate broker to practice on active status.
Broker candidates face an additional prerequisite: they must obtain a Broker Experience Certificate before registering for the broker exam. The certificate requires at least three years of full-time (40 hours per week) Hawaii-licensed salesperson experience within the five-year period immediately prior to submission (Hawaii REB Examination & Licensing[2]).
What the pre-licensing course covers
The Hawaii pre-licensing course covers real estate law, property rights and ownership, legal descriptions, titles and deeds, contracts, mandatory disclosures, finance and mortgages, appraisal, taxation, closing procedures, and professional ethics. The curriculum prepares candidates for both the uniform (national) and state portions of the PSI licensing exam. PSI Services has been Hawaii's testing agency since July 1, 2009, and the exam content outline is published in the PSI Candidate Handbook available through the REB website (Hawaii REB Real Estate Education[3]).
The following table summarizes the main curriculum areas covered by approved providers:
| Curriculum area | Topics covered |
|---|---|
| License law and regulations | License law, qualifications for licensure, brokerage operations, complaints, violations, penalties |
| Property rights and ownership | Estates, tenancies, titles, deeds, ownership restrictions, types of interest in real estate |
| Legal descriptions | Metes and bounds, lot and block, rectangular survey system |
| Contracts and disclosures | Real estate contracts, mandatory disclosures, agency relationships |
| Finance and mortgages | Real estate finance, mortgage market, mortgage terminology, computations |
| Closing and settlement | Title closing procedures, title reports, escrow |
| Appraisal and valuation | Property valuation methods, appraisal processes |
| Taxation | Taxes affecting real estate, HARPTA, FIRPTA |
| Housing laws | Federal and state fair housing laws |
| Planning and zoning | Land use, planning, and zoning regulations |
| Professional ethics | Code of ethics, brokerage relationships |
| Real estate investment | Investment analysis, property management basics |
Hawaii-specific curriculum topics
The Hawaii Real Estate Commission includes several Hawaii-specific handouts in the Salesperson Prelicense Curriculum that address state laws and practices not covered in the national portion of the exam (Hawaii REB Salesperson Prelicense Information[1]). These handouts cover topics unique to Hawaii real estate transactions:
| Handout | Topic |
|---|---|
| Anatomy of a Preliminary Title Report | Reading and interpreting Hawaii preliminary title reports |
| Condominium Handout | Hawaii condominium law and the Condominium Property Act |
| Directory of Real Estate Designations | Professional designations recognized in Hawaii |
| HARPTA/FIRPTA Handout | Hawaii Real Property Tax Act and foreign investment withholding requirements |
| Mortgage Terminology Defined | Key mortgage terms as used in Hawaii transactions |
| Property Management Basics | Fundamentals of property management as practiced in Hawaii |
These topics are integrated into the salesperson curriculum rather than offered as separate credentials.
Hawaii does not issue a separate property manager license. Property management is covered as a topic within the real estate salesperson prelicense curriculum, which includes a Property Management Basics handout published by the Hawaii Real Estate Branch. Individuals pursuing property management in Hawaii follow the standard real estate licensing path: complete Commission-approved prelicensing education, pass the PSI exam with 70% or higher on both sections, and obtain a salesperson license associated with a Hawaii-licensed broker.
Property management topics are included within Hawaii's real estate prelicense curriculum and continuing education courses, both of which can be completed online. The Real Estate Branch course search tool allows filtering by medium, including "internet," and there is no limit to the number of CE hours that may be taken online. Continuing education core courses cover property management and legislative updates, while the salesperson prelicense curriculum includes a Property Management Basics handout among its required topics.
Course formats: online, live instruction, and in-person
Hawaii pre-licensing courses are available in three primary delivery formats, and candidates can filter by medium when searching the REB course database.
Yes. The Hawaii Real Estate Branch permits both classroom and internet-delivered pre-licensing courses, and candidates can search approved providers by medium on the REB website. Approved education providers offer self-paced online and live virtual formats for the 60-hour salesperson pre-licensing course and the broker pre-licensing course.
| Format | Typical duration | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Self-paced online | 2 to 6 weeks | Flexible schedule, audio and video content, quizzes, mobile access, managed seat-time requirement |
| Live Zoom or webinar | Approximately 3 to 5 weeks | Scheduled sessions, real-time Q&A, mailed textbooks, exam prep included |
| In-person classroom | 2.5 days to 5 weeks | Face-to-face instruction, evening and weekend schedules, networking |
Self-paced online realty classes allow students to complete the course requirement on their own schedule. Online providers enforce a minimum seat-time requirement through their delivery platforms, ensuring students spend the required hours engaged with course content. At a full-time study pace, an online course can be completed in under two weeks; at a part-time pace, the course takes approximately five weeks.
Live Zoom and webinar courses follow a set schedule, typically running approximately three to five weeks. These real estate classes combine live instruction with reading assignments, quizzes, and sometimes additional exam prep sessions. Textbooks and printed materials may be mailed to students.
In-person classroom courses are available on Oahu and Maui, with some schools serving students from all islands. Classes may be held on evenings and weekends to accommodate working students. Some programs offer three consecutive weekend sessions or multi-week evening schedules.
How to find an approved Hawaii real estate school
Approved Hawaii real estate schools must register with the REB and are subject to Commission oversight of their curriculum and instructors. The REB charges prelicense school registration fees of $1,436 in odd-numbered years or $1,373 in even-numbered years for schools offering both salesperson and broker courses, and $1,026 (odd year) or $963 (even year) for schools offering either salesperson or broker courses. Instructor registration costs $218 in odd years or $155 in even years (Hawaii REB Application & Registration Fees[4]).
The Hawaii Real Estate Branch provides a Prelicense School and Course Search tool on its website that allows candidates to search by school, course dates, title, island, and medium, including both classroom and internet-delivered options. Candidates must register a MyPVL account to sign up for a prelicense course. The course completion certificate is delivered through the MyPVL system and is required to sit for the licensing examination.
The Hawaii Real Estate Branch maintains a Prelicense School and Course Search tool on its website where candidates can find Commission-accredited providers searchable by school, course dates, title, island, and delivery format. All listed schools have met Hawaii Real Estate Commission accreditation requirements for pre-licensing education. The Real Estate Branch also publishes a quarterly School Files bulletin covering real estate educational issues.
The Hawaii Real Estate Branch provides a Prelicense School and Course Search tool that allows candidates to search for approved courses by delivery medium, including both classroom and internet-delivered options. All providers on the state's approved-education list meet Hawaii Real Estate Commission accreditation standards. Candidates must create a MyPVL account when enrolling, as the course completion certificate required to sit for the exam is delivered through that system.
Course tuition varies by provider, format, and package tier. Self-paced online courses generally range from approximately $275 to $600, while live-instruction and premium packages reach higher price points. Additional fees for the state exam, background check, and license application apply separately.
When comparing schools, candidates should consider delivery format, schedule, included exam prep materials, retake policies, and instructor support. Some schools offer policies that allow students who fail the state exam to repeat the course at a reduced administrative fee. Candidates with possible disqualifying background issues may request a preliminary decision from the Real Estate Commission before enrolling in a pre-licensing course (Hawaii REB Salesperson Prelicense Information[1]).
Completing the course: final exam and certificate
Most approved providers require students to pass a school-administered final exam to earn the Hawaii School Completion Certificate. The school final exam is separate from the state PSI licensing exam, and its format varies by provider. Some schools set their own minimum passing score and limit the number of retake attempts, while others administer longer comprehensive exams lasting several hours.
After a student passes the final exam, the school issues a signed completion certificate and reports the completion to the Hawaii Real Estate Commission. Providers typically post completion information to the student's MyPVL account within a week or two of course completion. The original completion certificate must be submitted with the license application after passing the state exam (PSI HIRE Program Application[5]).
PSI Services, Hawaii's testing agency since July 1, 2009, offers a National Real Estate Salesperson Practice Test with 100 questions covering the national portion content applicable to Hawaii, with 365 days of access. The PSI Candidate Handbook, downloadable from the PSI website, includes the full test content outline for both the national and state portions of the exam. PSI also offers a study bundle with over 1,150 sample questions for additional preparation. The national practice test does not cover state-specific Hawaii law or protocol.
Course certificate validity and next steps
The Hawaii School Completion Certificate is valid for two years from the date of issuance. Candidates must pass both sections of the state licensing exam within two years of the first passed section, using an unexpired certificate. If both sections are not passed within that window, the candidate must retake both sections (Hawaii REB Examination & Licensing[2]). Candidates who fail to submit a complete license application within two years of the examination date must retake the exam (PSI HIRE Program Application[5]).
After completing the pre-licensing course and passing the PSI exam, the next steps are to submit the license application, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, and begin practicing. Once licensed, salespersons must complete 20 hours of Commission-approved continuing education per two-year renewal cycle to maintain an active license.
To become a REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent or broker must join a local REALTOR® association, which also provides membership in the state and national associations. NAR national membership dues are $156 per year for 2027, plus a $45 annual special assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign, totaling $201 per member. REALTORS® agree to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics and must complete ethics training and Fair Housing training every three years.
To get started, create a MyPVL account through the DCCA website, search for an approved pre-licensing course using the REB's Prelicense School and Course Search tool, and enroll in a format that fits your schedule and budget.
Sources
- Hawaii REB — Salesperson Prelicense InformationGovernmentAugust 2026
- Hawaii REB — Examination & LicensingGovernmentAugust 2026
- Hawaii REB — Real Estate EducationGovernmentAugust 2026
- Hawaii REB — Application & Registration FeesGovernmentAugust 2026
- PSI — HIRE Program Application PDFGovernmentMay 2026