The real estate industry in Hawaii is relatively slow, and the business does not really play well with others in terms of looking for recruits. This is because there are more real estate salespersons than there are potential home buyers. In addition, Hawaii has one of the most expensive housing costs there is in the market. Even if an aspiring real estate agent does get through all the requirements listed below for earning a real estate license, Hawaii law dictates that he will require a bit more talent and expertise to excel in the industry.

 

Hawaii, as with all the other states in the United States of America, require a real estate license from all would-be salespersons or agents and businesses for them to process transactions concerning properties. The Hawaii Real Estate Branch (REB), under the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (P&VLD) of the Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA), is the one responsible for licensing, education and regulation of potential licensees.

 

Obtaining the real estate license

Hawaii-based individuals seeking to obtain a real estate license in Hawaii are subject to the following general requirements:

1. Applicant must be a United States Citizen or a national/alien legally permitted to work in the Unites States of America, and should be 18 years at the time of the filing of the application.

2. A social security number must be provided to verify applicant’s identity and for compliance with federal laws that require it to be recorded on the application license.

3. Applicant must hold a record or have a reputation of competency, honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing. Should any applicant be doubtful of his being inadequate on such attributes, he can apply to the Real Estate Commission for a preliminary, non-binding decision to receive an advise whether an application is approved or not. This prevents an applicant from starting his pre-licensing education requirement and taking the examination. This procedure however, is only consultative and does not bind the commission to subject or appeal. If preliminary decision does approve of an application, the applicant must still proceed with pre-licensing requirements before applying for his license.

4. Complete application for licensure should be submitted within two years of passing the salesperson’s or broker’s examinations. Applications are issued to successful applicants at the test site and must be received by the Commission within two years; otherwise such will be considered unsuccessful and are subject for a retake of the examination.

 

Real estate salespersons are also expected to fulfill the following conditions:

1. Education – Meet the pre-licensing requirements – the appropriate Commission approved pre-license course – given in Hawaii preceding the examination. Otherwise, they can apply and obtain a “Pre-licensing Education Equivalency – Real Estate” from the Commission. Applicants must then be able to meet any one of these categories :

a. Licensed in another state – must hold a current license that was active within one year prior to the date of the equivalency application as a salesperson or broker in another state with similar or superior pre-licensing education requirements as determined by the Commission

b. Law degree – must be a graduate of an American Bar Association accredited law school

c. Real Estate or Business Major – graduates with Bachelor of Arts or Science degrees, with business or real estate majors, from accredited colleges or universities.

d. College course – must have completed at least six semester credits on real estate, business law, real estate development or finance courses from accredited colleges or universities.

e. Professional designation – hold a professional real estate designation or other recognized certificate as accepted by the Commission.

 

2. Examination – pass the salesperson’s license examination. Apply directly to the testing agency to register for the exam. The Hawaii Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin will be distributed to those who have passed pre-licensing education course (salesperson or broker) and to those who have been issued a Pre-licensing Education Equivalency Certificate. Walk-in testing is not allowed.

 

Real estate brokers need to fulfill these additional conditions

1. Salesperson or Broker License – applicants must hold a current Hawaii real estate salesperson’s license or a current estate salesperson or broker license in another state or jurisdiction recognized by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials, with an equivalent real estate licensing law as determined by the commission.

2. Experience – Brokers must have an experience of at least three years of the five years prior to submission of the experience certificate application, as a full-time Hawaii-licensed salesperson associated with a Hawaii-licensed broker. They must be certified by the principal broker or broker in charge to have practical real estate salesperson experience. The applicant may request for a determination of equivalency for the experience requirement based on real estate salesperson license experience or current real estate broker license in another state or jurisdiction recognized by the Association of Real Estate Licensing Law Officials, with an equivalent real estate licensing law as determined by the commission.

 

Licensees can proceed to an online pre-licensing educational course after satisfying all the requirements. After being licensed, they must still attend ten hours of continuing education for two years before renewing their license every November 30th of every even numbered year. Failure to renew licenses by the 1st of January of the consecutive year can be a cause for a real estate agent’s license to be canceled. As with previous steps of the application, certificates of completion of the education should be presented upon the renewal of a license.

 

Tips for new agents:

• New agents and real estate salespersons should strengthen their network and try to take hold of memberships into associations which can provide them services that would assist their business and link them to possible clients in the market. The real estate industry can be quite tight in Hawaii and a lot of buyers demand for an agent to be a member of a legitimate organization, to avoid fraud.

• The rigidity of the processes involved make it hard to obtain real estate licenses; Hawaii red tape also makes it advisable for salespersons and brokers to keep track of their licenses’ validity and continuing education for easier processing.