Real Estate License from California to Hawaii: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Hawaii Real Estate Commission (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) ↗
A real estate license transfers from California to Hawaii by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Hawaii Real Estate Commission (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division), verify your California license, and meet Hawaii's endorsement requirements. Hawaii is NOT reciprocal with any state; every applicant must pass the Hawaii licensing examination (Uniform/General portion + State portion). An applicant holding a current, active out-of-state real estate license may obtain (a) an equivalency to the prelicense education requirement, waiving the 60-hour course, and (b) an equivalency to the Uniform (General) section of the exam, so only the Hawaii STATE portion must be passed. Each equivalency is a separate application..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Hawaii publishes no agreement covering California, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Hawaii's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Hawaii Real Estate Commission (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) commits to in writing; for anything discretionary (exam waivers, education credit), get the commission's answer in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, California → Hawaii
| California (current) | Hawaii (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 135 | 60 |
| Application fee | $450 (Combined salesperson exam/license application (RE 435): $100 examination fee + $350 license fee = $450 due to DRE. Fingerprint fee about $49 (California residents pay the live-scan vendor directly; out-of-state applicants submit the fingerprint fee to DRE with the FD-258 card).) | $50–$100 (Each equivalency application is $50 non-refundable (education equivalency; optional uniform-section equivalency adds $50). Separate from the PSI exam fee and the salesperson license fee of $382 (odd-numbered year) or $282 (even-numbered year).) |
| Processing time | DRE does not publish a fixed processing time; exam application review commonly takes several weeks. | Not stated for equivalency processing; equivalency certificates are valid two years once granted |
| Licensing authority | California Department of Real Estate (DRE) | Hawaii Real Estate Commission (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Hawaii sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Hawaii's current requirements on the Hawaii Real Estate Commission (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Hawaii Real Estate Commission (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold a current out-of-state real estate license that was active within one year immediately prior to the equivalency application.
- File the Prelicensing Education Equivalency application ($50 non-refundable) to waive the 60-hour Hawaii prelicense course.
- Optionally file the Equivalency to the Uniform Section of the Hawaii Real Estate Licensing Examination (form UEE09, $50) to waive the general exam portion.
- Submit a Verification of License form completed and issued by the out-of-state licensing agency (photocopies not accepted).
- Register with and pass the required Hawaii examination portion(s) through PSI, then pay the license fee.
- Pay the fees ($50–$100 (Each equivalency application is $50 non-refundable (education equivalency; optional uniform-section equivalency adds $50). Separate from the PSI exam fee and the salesperson license fee of $382 (odd-numbered year) or $282 (even-numbered year).)) and allow Not stated for equivalency processing; equivalency certificates are valid two years once granted.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Hawaii accept a California real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from California to Hawaii by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Hawaii Real Estate Commission (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division), verify your California license, and meet Hawaii's endorsement requirements. Hawaii is NOT reciprocal with any state; every applicant must pass the Hawaii licensing examination (Uniform/General portion + State portion). An applicant holding a current, active out-of-state real estate license may obtain (a) an equivalency to the prelicense education requirement, waiving the 60-hour course, and (b) an equivalency to the Uniform (General) section of the exam, so only the Hawaii STATE portion must be passed. Each equivalency is a separate application..
Which exams will I take moving from California to Hawaii?
Hawaii is NOT reciprocal with any state; every applicant must pass the Hawaii licensing examination (Uniform/General portion + State portion). An applicant holding a current, active out-of-state real estate license may obtain (a) an equivalency to the prelicense education requirement, waiving the 60-hour course, and (b) an equivalency to the Uniform (General) section of the exam, so only the Hawaii STATE portion must be passed. Each equivalency is a separate application..
What does the move cost?
$50–$100 (Each equivalency application is $50 non-refundable (education equivalency; optional uniform-section equivalency adds $50). Separate from the PSI exam fee and the salesperson license fee of $382 (odd-numbered year) or $282 (even-numbered year).) (Each equivalency application is $50 non-refundable (education equivalency; optional uniform-section equivalency adds $50). Separate from the PSI exam fee and the salesperson license fee of $382 (odd-numbered year) or $282 (even-numbered year).).
Can I keep selling in California after I'm licensed in Hawaii?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the California license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Hawaii REB — Real Estate Licensing FAQs ('We are not reciprocal with any other State' + equivalency to prelicense education and to the Uniform Examination) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Hawaii REB — Instructions and Information for Prelicensing Education Equivalency (out-of-state licensee eligibility; $50 fee; uniform-section equivalency) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Hawaii REB — Examination Prerequisites (must complete prelicense course or obtain equivalency; exam has Uniform + State portions) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Hawaii REB — Application/Registration Fees (salesperson license $382 odd / $282 even year) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Hawaii REB — Salesperson Prelicense Curriculum (Total Estimated Minimum 60 hours) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California DRE - Out-of-State Applicants ('California has no reciprocity with any other state to allow a waiver of any of the requirements') ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California DRE - Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Salesperson License (three college-level courses, 45 hours each) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California DRE - Fees (salesperson exam $100 / license $350) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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