Online Pre-Licensing

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the approximate costs involved in obtaining a Hawaii Real Estate License?
2. What are the licensing requirements in Hawaii?
3. What are the educational requirements to obtain a real estate license in Hawaii?
4. Is it possible to apply for an educational equivalency?
5. What are the Hawaii Department of Taxation Requirements?
6. What is the process for completing the Abe Lee Seminars Independent Study Course?
7. What is the course content?
8. How long will it take me to complete the Independent Study Course?
9. What is the minimum passing score on the tests?
10. What happens if I don't pass an online Module Test?
11. What is the process involved to take the Independent Study Course Final Exams?
12. How long will it take to receive a Certificate of Completion?
13. How long does a student have to take the real estate exam after receiving the Course Completion Certificate from Abe Lee Seminars?
14. What is the process for taking the Hawaii real estate exam?
15. May the Hawaii real estate exam be taken on the mainland?
16. How soon after the state exam do I have to activate my real estate license?
17. How long will it take to receive my real estate license from the State of Hawaii?
18. What is the policy on attendance and grades?
19. What is the policy on refunds, substitutions, transfers, and withdrawals?
20. How quickly can I expect a response to my email?

No individual shall be eligible for the licensing examination unless the individual is a United States citizen, a United States national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States, and of the age of majority (18),  and has satisfactorily completed a commission-approved prelicensing course for real estate salesperson or broker, or its equivalent as determined by the commission.  You must also take and pass the State licensing exam; make written application for your license; and pay the appropriate fees.  As a "Salesperson" you must "hang" your license with an existing brokerage company and conduct your real estate activities under the supervision of the firm's Principal Broker.  Or, you may apply for your license and place it directly on an "inactive" status.

Salesperson:  The education requirement for the salesperson license examination shall be satisfied by successful completion of a curriculum in real estate at an accredited institution, consisting of a minimum of 60 hours and conforming to the approved curriculum for salesperson adopted by the commission or such equivalent education or experience as shall be determined by the commission. The Abe Lee Seminars Independent Study Pre-Licensing Course statisfies these requirements.

Broker:  The education requirement for the broker license examination shall be satisfied by successful completion of a curriculum in real estate at an accredited institution, consisting of a minimum of 80 class hours and conforming to the approved curriculum for brokers adopted by the commission or equivalent education or experience as shall be determined by the commission. A "class hour" as used in this section means sixty minutes of classroom instruction.

The real estate commission may grant an equivalency to the respective education requirements for applicants for the salesperson and broker license examinations for:

• Those who hold a current license that was active within one year immediately prior to the date of application as a salesperson or broker in another state with similar or superior education requirements as determined by the commission;

• Graduates of an accredited law school;

• Bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree graduates of accredited colleges and universities who have majored in real estate or business;

• Those who have successfully completed at least six semester credits in real estate, business, business law, real estate development, or finance courses at an accredited college or university; and

• Those who have received a professional designation and recognized certificates of completion as accepted by the commission including a GRI designation; certificate in advanced real estate from the University of Hawaii, small business management program.

All requests for equivalency to the educational requirements shall be submitted in writing, together with all supporting documents of an official nature to the Hawaii Real Estate Commission, 335 Merchant Street #333, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 for its review, prior to filing the application for examination.

Anyone considering applying for a real estate license should resolve all outstanding tax obligations with the Hawaii Department of Taxation prior to submission of an application and preferably prior to taking the prelicensing course and licensing examination.

In order to receive a course completion certificate from Abe Lee Seminars, students will be required to:

Overview of the real estate business, license laws, property description and characteristics, real estate economics, real property interests, forms of and transfer of ownership, land use controls, law of agency, law of contracts, working with the standard Hawaii form (DROA), mortgage concepts, real estate financing, real estate valuation, real estate taxes and reporting requirements, deeds and other means of acquiring property, closing and settlement procedures, landlord tenant code, real estate property management and leasing, fair housing and consumer protection and ethics and real estate regulations.

Students complete the course at their own pace; provided the course is completed within one year of registration.  The State requires a student to reasonably expend 60 hours in completing the course for certification.  A student on Kauai finished the course in a week.  That is extraordinary.  Depending on a student's urgency, and their other time commitments to family and employment, completion time varies widely.  Typical is 45-90 days.

The minimum passing grade on each Module Test and each section of the Course Final is 70% for Sales Candidates.  We recommend that the student set a goal of obtaining scores in the 80% range on each of the Module Tests.  They can then rest assured that they will be well prepared for the Course Finals and the Hawaii Real Estate Exam.

It usually indicates that the student needs to invest more reading and study time before they attempt a Module Test:

The student will first need to find a test proctor, (someone not related) that will be present during the online testing.  The test proctor must sign an affidavit verifying the identity of the student and the validity of the testing process.  A friend, business associate, real estate broker, title or escrow officer etc.

The course finals include two sections that are graded independently.  Minimum passing score on each section is 70% for Sales candidates.  The Uniform Portion includes questions about real estate in general throughout the United States; and the State Portion includes specific questions relating to Hawaii rules and regulations.  You may elect to take them on separate days.

How long will it take to receive a Certificate of Completion?

Please allow one week processing time from the date Abe Lee Seminars receives the Final Exam and you successfully pass both course finals to receive the Course Completion Certificate.  You need to take the original Course Completion Certificate with you to the State Exam Test Site.

We suggest you schedule the state real estate exam soon after completion of our course; however, the certificate from Abe Lee Seminars is effective for a period of two years from the date of issue, allowing you to take the licensing exam any time during that period.

What is the process for taking the Hawaii real estate exam?

The State Real Estate Licensing Examination program is administered by Promissor, under contract with the Hawaii State Real Estate Commission.  Click here to review the Promissor Real Estate Candidate Handbook.

The real estate exam is normally offered twice a month on the Big Island, Kauai and Maui;  typically the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month.  Testing on Oahu is available Tuesdays through Saturdays each week. 

Big Island of Hawaii = Waikoloa Elementary School, 1730 Hooko Street, Waikoloa, HI  96738.

Kauai = Kauai Community College, Lihue, HI 96766.

Maui = Maui Family Foot Care, 415 Dairy Road, Suite 3-D, Kahului, HI 96732.

Oahu = Promissor Assessment Center, Kapiolani Business Plaza, 1580 Makaloa, Suite 900, Honolulu, HI 96814. Testing on Oahu is available Tuesdays through Saturdays each week. 

The exam has two parts; the "uniform" portion covering general real estate principles and practices, and the "State Law" section dealing with specific Hawaii statutes. Each section of the exam is graded separately and requires a passing score of 70% for Salespersons. Candidates failing either portion of the exam must retake that portion of the test, and pay an additional testing fee. The exam consists of multiple choice questions only.

Test reservations need to be arranged with Promissor at least four business days prior to your preferred testing date.  Phone reservations are accepted at 800-274-7301 or click here to go their website Promissor.  The  cost of taking the exam is currently $68.00

On the neighbor islands the test site is sometimes fully booked weeks in advance, so plan accordingly.  You may consider scheduling a test date on Oahu if the neighbor island test sites are fully booked.

Please allow one week processing time from the date you successfully pass the course finals to receive the Course Completion Certificate.  You need to take the original certificate with you to the State Exam Test Site to gain entrance to the exam.

Hawaii real estate candidates may now test at any Promissor test center in the United States at no additional charge.  There are currently more than 200 test sites available.  Interested candidates may make a reservation at 800-274-7301.

If candidates are interested in the test site locations, they may log on to www.promissor.com   Under "Find Test Information" click on "State Regulatory Exams - Real Estate/Appraiser exams."  From the drop-down menu, click on "Hawaii Real Estate," and under "Testing Services" click on "Locate Test Center.

Anyone who successfully passes the Salesperson exam must apply for their license in writing within two years of the exam date, or their test scores will be declared invalid, and they must retake the test and the pre-licensing course to obtain an updated certificate of course completion. It is possible to apply for a license and have it placed directly on "inactive" status, but the same licensing fees are required.

Please allow at least 2 to 3 weeks from the date you submit your completed application, along with the appropriate fees to the Hawaii Real Estate Commission.

The State requires a student to reasonably expend 60 hours in completing the course for certification. Students must also pass the class final exam to be certified. Minimum passing grade for sales candidates is 70%.

Independent Study Course (Home Study): No refunds or withdrawals once the materials have been shipped from our office.  No substitution of students.  No transfer from Independent Study to Classroom

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How quickly can I expect a response to my email?

The instructor attempts to respond to email within 24 hours.  However, if the email is received after business hours, on weekends or holidays it may take a bit longer. 

If you have further questions or concerns about any material listed here please contact Abe Lee Seminars using any method listed below.