Pass Your Hawaii Real Estate Exam the First Time
Hawaii's exam heavily tests leasehold vs. fee simple ownership - more common here than anywhere else in the US! Understanding land court registration (Torrens system) and Hawaiian Homes Commission Act lands is essential for your exam.
Questions
130
80 NAT / 50 STATE
To Pass
70%
~91 / 130 TO PASS
Time Limit
4 Hrs
240 TOTAL MINUTES
Provider
PSI
DCCA
Pass your Hawaii Salesperson or Broker License
Hawaii is the only state running two parallel title systems simultaneously, and the DCCA tests which recording method applies with every title question.
No other state operates this way, which means no national course was built to teach it correctly. AI models trained on content from the other 49 states cannot generate accurate questions for Hawaii’s unique title structure. Candidates who prepare with generic tools arrive unprepared for a state portion that tests rules found nowhere else in American real estate law.
The License Professor is written by licensed Hawaii professionals who understand what the PSI exam actually tests. Every question on Hawaii’s title systems, property ownership structures, and disclosure rules was built from Hawaii statute and DCCA regulation.
Hawaii Sample Exams
Experience the real study interface — no account required.
Salesperson
Individuals new to real estate who want to start their career helping clients buy and sell property
Broker
Experienced professionals who want to operate independently or run their own brokerage
Three Topics that Trip Up Hawaii Students Most
Land Court (Torrens) vs. Regular
Hawaii is the only state running two parallel title systems — the government-guaranteed Land Court (Torrens) system from the monarchy era and the race-notice Regular System at the Bureau of Conveyances — exam questions test whether you know which recording method applies and what "conclusive proof of ownership" actually means.
Read more →Ohana Dwelling Rules
"Ohana" sounds simple until the exam asks whether a second kitchen needs a county building permit, what lot size is required, or why you cannot condominiumize an Ohana unit on Oahu — rules that change by county and trip up candidates who assume one island’s laws apply statewide.
HARPTA/FIRPTA Math
Candidates must calculate both the 7.25% state HARPTA withholding on non-Hawaii-resident sellers AND the 15% federal FIRPTA withholding on foreign sellers from the same sales price — double-layered math that accounts for some of the highest exam error rates on the state portion.
The Hawaii Real Estate License Professor includes specialized deep dives for each of these.
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Hawaii Real Estate Practice Questions
Sample questions from the Hawaii real estate exam — with answers and explanations.
1. If a real estate broker or salesperson was denied membership in the Kauai Board of Realtors due to their religion, this would violate which law(s)?
- A.Federal Fair Housing law.
- B.Hawaii Anti-Discrimination law.
- C.Both of the above.
- D.Neither of the above.
2. In which of the following real estate transactions would you most likely attach a Plain Language Addendum to the purchase agreement?
- A.An undeveloped vacant lot near Kona on the Big Island selling for $21,000.
- B.A time share unit selling for $25,750 FS.
- C.A four bedroom home on 2 acres in Kihei being purchased by Japanese nationals.
- D.An oceanfront leasehold condo selling for $92,000.
3. To renew a real estate salesperson's or broker's license in Hawaii, the licensee must:
- A.Pay a fee of $250.
- B.Complete 10 hours of continuing education in the last two years.
- C.Show proof of active participation in the real estate business for the previous year.
- D.Complete 6 hours of continuing education in the previous two years, 3 in the area of Real Estate Ethics and Appraisals.
More on Hawaii Licensing
Deeper reading on the topics that matter most for Hawaii candidates.
How to Get Your Hawaii License
Requirements, costs, and steps to get licensed in Hawaii.
Read more →Hawaii Exam Study Plan
A realistic plan to pass the Hawaii real estate exam.
Read more →Hawaii Leasehold Properties: What the Exam Actually Tests
What the Hawaii exam tests on this topic.
Read more →Hawaii Runs Two Title Systems. The Exam Tests Both.
Hawaii uses both the Torrens and regular deed recording systems. The PSI exam tests both systems, when each applies, and what protections each provides buyers.
Read more →
Hawaii Real Estate Exam Structure: What to Expect
The Hawaii salesperson exam is administered by PSI and combines 80 national questions with 50 Hawaii-specific state questions — 130 questions total — in 240 minutes.
The two-portion structure
National portion: 80 questions, 150 minutes
Standard PSI national content: property ownership, land use controls, valuation, financing, agency, contracts, closing, and practice.
Hawaii portion: 50 questions, 90 minutes
Topics:
- License Law and DCCA rules
- Leasehold and fee simple ownership
- Land Court (Torrens) and Recording
- Hawaiian Homes Commission Act lands
- Condominium and timeshare law
- Hawaii property disclosures
- Trust accounts
Time management
240 minutes for 130 questions = about 111 seconds per question overall (150 min / 80 questions on the national portion, 90 min / 50 questions on the state portion). Moderate pacing. Practice under timed conditions.
Cost structure
- Pre-licensing (60 hours): $400-$800
- Exam fee: $70 per attempt
- License application: $120
- Background check: ~$50
- Total: $640-$1,040
Retake rules
Retakes allowed. Each attempt costs $70. Score report shows weak content areas.
Topics Covered on the Hawaii Real Estate Exam
The Hawaii salesperson exam tests defined topics. PSI publishes the content outline used for every test form.
Hawaii's exam combines a national portion with a Hawaii-specific portion, like most states.
National Exam Topics (80 questions)
- Property Ownership — Estates, joint ownership, condominiums, leasehold (heavy Hawaii focus)
- Land Use Controls — Zoning, deed restrictions, government powers
- Valuation — Three approaches to value, comparative market analysis
- Financing — Mortgages, FHA/VA, RESPA, TILA, leasehold financing
- Agency — Agency relationships, fiduciary duties
- Contracts — Listing agreements, purchase contracts, options
- Closing — Closing procedures, prorations
- Practice — Working with buyers and sellers, fair housing, advertising
Hawaii State Exam Topics (50 questions)
- Leasehold and Fee Simple — Hawaii's distinctive leasehold ownership structure
- Land Court (Torrens System) — Hawaii's unique parallel title registration
- Hawaiian Homes Commission Act Lands — Ancestral Hawaiian lands with special rules
- Condominium and Timeshare Law — Heavy concentration in Hawaii
- DCCA Regulations — Hawaii Real Estate Branch rules
- Hawaii Property Disclosures — Specific disclosure requirements
Why this list matters
Leasehold, Land Court, and Hawaiian Homes lands are uniquely Hawaii topics that national prep doesn't cover. Together they generate 12-18 questions on the exam. Skip them and you've left major points on the table.
What this list doesn't tell you
Topic outline tells you what's tested, not how. PSI writes scenario-based questions that test application. Practice questions, not just topic review.
Hawaii Exam FAQ
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