Whether you feel called to the peaks of Maui’s Haleakala National Park, the big waves of the North Shore beaches of Oahu, or somewhere in between, the opportunities to explore paradise are plentiful in Hawaii. What pairs better with that than a fulfilling, flexible career in real estate? That’s why we’ve done our research to pair you with the best real estate school in Hawaii for your needs.
After all, before you can sit for your Hawaii real estate license exam, you’ll need to complete 60 hours of mandatory prelicensing coursework. The following six real estate schools provide a range of learning options—self-paced, in-person, on-demand, and more—to ensure you’re fully equipped with the knowledge and study materials needed to pass both your course and licensing exams.
Ready to dive into the next steps of your real estate career in the Aloha state? Let’s find the school that’s right for you.
6 Best Real Estate Schools in Hawaii
| Our Top Picks | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: Maui Real Estate School | ||
| Best for Online Learning: Colibri Real Estate | |
|
| Best for Self-paced Learning: The CE Shop | ||
| Best for Instructor Support: Abe Lee Seminars | ||
| Best for Live Online Instruction: Carol Ball School of Real Estate | ||
| Best of Both Worlds: Vitousek Real Estate School |
(Hawaii prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
Hawaii Real Estate Governing Board:
The Real Estate Commission of the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Prelicensing Requirements:
60 hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
None
Continuing Education Requirements:
20 hours every 2-year license period
Throughout the 60 hours of required prelicensing coursework, you’ll cover a variety of topics like licensing laws and regulations, ethical standards, the basic principles of real estate, financing and valuation, and more. Also, real estate licensees in Hawaii are required to complete 20 hours of approved continuing education (CE) every two years. To get a better idea of what these courses entail, jump to the helpful info section below.
Already actively licensed in another state? While Hawaii does not have reciprocity with any other states, you can apply for equivalency. That allows you to skip past your prelicensing classes and simply take the Hawaii portion of the real estate license exam.
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Best Overall Real Estate School in Hawaii: Maui Real Estate School
Maui Real Estate School offers:
- Prelicensing
- Hawaii state-only course (for out-of-state agents)
- One-day real estate school crash course
- Broker courses
No matter which island of Hawaii you’re studying from, Maui Real Estate School is a fantastic local pick that offers flexibility and comes with a complete range of study materials included. When you enroll, you’ll get immediate access to the 60-hour online course with 12 months to complete your studies. If live classes are your speed, you can level up to the Instructor Series course, which gives you access to nine instructor help sessions (three classes per week over three weeks) in addition to the 60-hour online course.
Although Maui Real Estate doesn’t do refunds, they do offer payment plans—and as a bonus, course exam retakes are free. Worry not, though—past students described the school’s study materials as great resources to feel well-prepared for the exam. Other students mentioned feeling supported and encouraged by the school’s instructors and customer service throughout the course.
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Maui Real Estate School Pricing
Regardless of the course delivery option you choose, you’ll have access to a wide range of study materials, including audio books, physical books, online quizzes with more than 800 questions, a vocabulary app, electronic flashcards, and a state licensing exam guide.
- Online Self-paced Course ($450): This package gives students 24/7 on-demand access to the school’s online learning platform. When it comes time to pick a company to affiliate with, you can refer to its brokerage guide and lean on the school to help connect you with local brokers.
- Hawaii Instructor Series ($849): You get the complete online self-paced course package plus nine Zoom sessions (three times per week over three weeks) with a local Hawaii instructor. Both morning and evening sessions are available.
(Hawaii prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
Best Feature
Maui Real Estate school’s base package comes complete with everything you need to study and prepare for the Hawaii real estate exam. Study on the go with electronic flashcards, audio books, and a real estate vocab app. Level up to the Instructor Series package for hands-on learning with the support of a local expert.
Room to Improve
Maui Real Estate offers nearly everything you could think of for a well-rounded real estate education in Hawaii, but it would be great to see continuing ed courses incorporated into their lineup.
Bottom Line
With direct instructor support, thorough study materials, and brokerage contacts, Maui Real Estate School is a top-tier local learning option to kick off your real estate career.
Best Real Estate School in Hawaii for Online Learning: Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Continuing ed (via McKissock Learning)
With its range of course packages and user-friendly, on-demand learning platform, Colibri Real Estate is our top pick for students looking to complete the prelicensing process online. As a student, you’ll find a range of tools to help you stay organized, such as checklists, goal and progress trackers, real estate resources, and study tips.
Although Colibri Real Estate doesn’t offer any live class options, the higher tier packages have the next best thing: instructor Q&A sessions and live webinars for exam prep. What’s more, if you don’t pass the exam on your first try, you’ll be eligible for the school’s “pass or don’t pay” guarantee. Wondering what past students thought of their learning experience with Colibri Real Estate? Reviews mention the course was user-friendly, easy to navigate, interesting and organized, and great for studying at your own pace.
Colibri Real Estate Pricing
In Hawaii, Colibri offers four different packages:
- The Basics ($377): For self-guided learners, this package includes the 60-hour prelicensing course, instructor support via phone or email, and three e-book study guides.
- Exam Preparation ($484): This package includes everything listed above plus interactive exam prep through CompuCram. You’ll get access to simulated exams, flashcards, audio review guides, and readiness assessments.
- Exam Preparation Plus ($578): For students who crave live instruction, this package includes everything mentioned above plus access to Colibri’s Exam Crammer webinars and instructor-led Q&A sessions.
- Ultimate Learning ($698): For career-minded individuals, this package covers everything mentioned in the above packages plus a printed textbook and one year of access to business resources such as how-to videos, job aids, checklists, and customizable action plan templates.
(Hawaii prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
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Best Feature
Designed with online learners in mind, Colibri Real Estate’s intuitive platform is our favorite feature. Not only does it allow for on-demand studying, but the platform itself is well-organized and easy to navigate. You have checklists, goal and progress trackers, real estate resources, and course outlines at your fingertips.
Room to Improve
While Colibri Real Estate does offer a dash of live instruction through Q&A and exam prep sessions for Hawaii students, the school could increase its value by introducing livestream course packages as well. They do offer the livestream option in states like Illinois and Virginia, so we know it’s within the realm of possibility!
Bottom Line
Colibri Real Estate is a go-to option for self-paced virtual learning with an exam prep edge. The approachable user interface will make your online real estate education feel like a breeze.
Best Real Estate School in Hawaii for Self-paced Learning: The CE Shop
The CE Shop offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Continuing ed
- Broker courses
Is self-paced learning your top priority? Look no further than The Close’s favorite one-stop shop for new real estate students, The CE Shop. With this school, you can truly knock out all of the courses you’ll need as you embark on a new career in real estate. Start with your 60-hour prelicensing course, take advantage of exam prep, and return for continuing ed courses to renew your license. When you’re ready for more, consider enrolling in the 80-hour broker course.
But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves! The course is primarily text-based, but The CE Shop’s proprietary content platform creates a more engaging and interactive course experience. Fast learners can finish the course in as little as two weeks, but note that you have up to six months to access and complete your studies.
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The CE Shop is the only school on our list that lets you test drive their courses and features before you buy. Visit their website today!
The CE Shop Pricing
No matter which prelicensing course package you choose, you’ll be equipped with business e-books, digital flashcards, downloadable course content, career resources, and more.
- Courses Only ($419): This basic package also includes the mandatory 60-hour prelicensing course, digital flashcards, a real estate glossary, and study schedules.
- Standard Package ($485): Get everything listed above plus Exam Prep Edge, which covers everything you’ll need to know for both the national and state-specific portions of the licensing test.
- Value Package ($525): Want help launching your real estate business? This package includes all of the features and materials listed above, plus business-building courses for new agents.
- Premium Package ($685): Cover all of your new-to-real-estate bases with this package. It includes all of the previously mentioned features and materials, plus the 20 hours continuing ed courses you’ll need to complete before your first license renewal. You also get one year of access to a Hawaii prelicensing e-book.
(Hawaii prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
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Best Feature
The CE Shop makes self-paced, on-demand learning easy. That’s why we think their best feature is the variety of continuing education courses. Whether you opt for a CE package or individual classes, you’ll be on the right track to renew your license when the time comes.
Room to Improve
While The CE Shop is our pick for self-paced learning, the six-month time limit on course access makes for a smaller window of opportunity for students studying part-time or on a more sporadic basis. An extended expiration—plus more direct access to instructors—would make The CE Shop even more appealing.
Bottom Line
If you’re new to real estate and looking to cover all of your bases in one go, The CE Shop is a solid option. Hawaii licensees can choose from every course needed to keep their real estate career moving.
Best Real Estate School in Hawaii for Instructor Support: Abe Lee Seminars
Abe Lee Seminars offers:
- Prelicensing
- Continuing ed
As you begin the 60-hour journey into Hawaii real estate education, you’ll want to know that your instructors have your back. In our research, we found an abundance of reviews that mention Abe Lee Seminars’ knowledgeable and experienced instructors. If you appreciate a healthy learning environment and engaging anecdotes that bring otherwise murky concepts to life, you will likely succeed with Abe Lee Seminars.
Although the school doesn’t provide any exam prep or broker courses, you can choose between online independent study or live webinars for your prelicensing education. As you prepare for the Hawaii real estate exam, explore the online video archives to review any missed or confusing material from the course. Better yet, bring your questions directly to your Abe Lee Seminars instructor via mail, email, and phone.
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Abe Lee Seminars Pricing
- Online Independent Study ($475): You’ll get access to the 60-hour online prerecorded course, textbook, and study materials. International textbook shipping costs an additional $50. This package also includes supplemental audio and video archive access.
- Live Webinar Classroom ($500): Similar to classroom-style learning, these live, scheduled classes provide a more structured, interactive experience. With the aid of an included textbook, you’ll complete the 60-hour course through GoTo webinars over four weeks with three sessions per week.
(Hawaii prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
Best Feature
We’re big fans of Abe Lee Seminars’ No Pass No Pay guarantee for live webinar students, which states that if you don’t pass the school’s final exam with a 70% score or higher, you can re-attend the courses once more at no additional charge. The only catch? You must re-attend within six months of taking the course exam.
Room to Improve
We’d like to see Abe Lee Seminars offer exam prep and broker courses. Given rave reviews that mention their instructor’s engaging anecdotes and relaxing-yet-informative teaching style, exam prep courses would certainly benefit students who want a little more support in that area. And such expertise would likely make for great broker courses as well.
Bottom Line
Abe Lee Seminars is a great, affordable local learning outlet for real estate students. You can’t beat the combination of direct access to knowledgeable instructors, live webinars, and online video archives.
Best Real Estate School in Hawaii for Live Online Instruction: Carol Ball School of Real Estate
Carol Ball School of Real Estate offers:
- Prelicensing
- Continuing ed (via Continuing Ed Express)
- Broker courses
- Exam prep
Looking for live online instruction to carry you through the prelicensing process? Carol Ball School of Real Estate’s live online Zoom classes provide students with a well-rounded assortment of learning mediums, including lectures and discussions, daily quizzes and reviews, anecdotes, reading materials, and memory aids.
Past students described the live classes as intense and fast-paced, but credit the instructors with being readily available for help and making the course material informative, memorable, and fun. Based on these reviews, this combination makes for a personable and interactive learning experience that ultimately sets a solid foundation for real estate success.
Carol Ball School of Real Estate Pricing
With Carol Ball School of Real Estate, you can complete the 60-hour course entirely independently or live via Zoom:
- Online Course ($429): Modeled after the school’s live class, this on-demand and self-paced course is offered through Continuing Ed Express. You’ll get everything you need to study independently, including end-of-chapter snapshots, audio prefaces from the instructor on each chapter, course overviews, visual aids, chapter quizzes, and study tips. The course content also links you directly to the instructor via email, should any questions arise as you study.
- Live Zoom Course ($895): This interactive, 60-hour prelicensing course is held over Zoom and includes all textbooks and materials for Maui students (off-island registrants must pay additional shipping and handling costs). Instruction includes directed reading, lectures, PowerPoints, Q&A sessions, small group discussions, drills, daily quizzes, and reviews.
(Hawaii prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
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Best Feature
Carol Ball Real Estate School’s live classes are its winning feature, based on its many positive reviews. Past students mentioned their appreciation for the instructor’s ability to incorporate humor and fun into the course content. While several schools on our list offer some class time via Zoom, Carol Ball Real Estate School gives you all 60 hours in this format. For fast-paced learners who thrive in a more structured, interactive learning environment, Carol Ball Real Estate School is an excellent—and local—option.
Room to Improve
It’s clear that exam prep is naturally built into the live course offering, but the additional $200 cost of the Hawaii real estate book for exam prep is a steep add-on for students enrolled in the on-demand course. Alternatively, a specific exam prep course—especially one that would be as engaging and informative as the Zoom course—would benefit both independent students and those with established real estate experience who might be expanding their reach to Hawaii.
Bottom Line
For live online instruction that injects a little more life and laughter into the learning experience, look no further than Carol Ball School of Real Estate. We look forward to seeing more rave reviews from future Hawaii real estate students.
Best Real Estate School in Hawaii for Best of Both Worlds: Vitousek Real Estate School
Vitousek Real Estate School offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Broker courses
As our learning landscape continuously adapts to online courses, you might be wondering where in-person learning is still an option. Enter: Vitousek Real Estate School, our pick for the best of both worlds in Hawaii real estate schools. The In-Classroom/Home Study combination package gives students the opportunity to learn in a structured, scheduled Honolulu-based classroom before completing the remainder of the course from home at their own pace. According to past students, the in-person class size was perfect for discussion and the experience provided real-life examples and tips that you wouldn’t get from static learning.
It’s also worth noting that the school is known for its caring team and commitment to providing student support—such as offering additional study sessions after the course concludes—until candidates successfully pass the state exam. Reviewers double down on this, calling out the professional and knowledgeable instructors who are committed to their students’ success and work to ensure they understand the course content.
Vitousek Real Estate School Pricing
In Hawaii, Vitousek Real Estate School offers three learning options for would-be agents:
- Hard Copy Independent Study ($450 plus $50 textbook): Learn offline with this self-directed, hard-copy course. With the aid of a textbook, exam prep book, and study guide, you will complete the workbook’s lessons, assignments, and quizzes at your own pace.
- Online Independent Study ($475): This fully on-demand, online 60-hour class includes the course text, interactive quizzes, reading assignments, instructional graphics, and chapter reviews.
- In-Classroom/Home Study ($495 plus $50 textbook): This package includes seven in-person classes and four self-paced home-study sessions to cover the required 60 hours of prelicensing coursework. Materials include quizzes, supplemental handouts, and a workbook.
(Hawaii prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
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Best Feature
The most balanced prelicensing course on this list, Vitousek Real Estate School’s In-Classroom/Home Study package is something we haven’t seen offered by any other real estate schools in Hawaii. It truly is a best-of-both-worlds option for Oahu-based students who want to split their time between a classroom and their own space—and for a good price, at that.
Room to Improve
Course enrollment through Vitousek Real Estate School is a little outdated, requiring potential students to print and mail their registration and payment. This also applies to exam prep kit purchases. A little updating could go a long way for future students!
Bottom Line
Whether you’re an adaptable learner who likes a classroom environment as much as an independent study session or you’re simply indecisive (we’ve all been there), Vitousek Real Estate School’s combination course will tick all the boxes. And better yet, they’ll stick with you until you pass your Hawaii real estate exam.
Helpful Info
At a glance, the journey to getting licensed in the state of Hawaii might seem overwhelming. But we’re here to make sure that deciding on the right school—whether for prelicensing, exam prep, or continuing education—is an easy step in the process. Next, we’ll walk you through the requirements and expectations that come with each stage of your real estate education.
Prelicensing Courses
In Hawaii, real estate students are required to complete 60 hours of prelicensing courses and pass an in-class test before registering for the state exam. We explored what makes each of the six schools on our list the best-in-state for prelicensing courses and shared the findings of our research above. For more in-depth information on what to expect from the overall licensing process, check out our guide on how to become a real estate agent in Hawaii.
Exam Preparation
For some students, the exam portion of the licensing process is the most daunting part. We get it! You’ve completed your 60-hour prelicensing course and dedicated even more time to studying—you want to pass on the first try. What can you expect from the in-person exam? With 80 national and 50 state-specific questions, you’ll need to score a minimum of 70% on each.
Many of the schools on our list have incorporated exam prep materials—like digital flashcards, live Q&A sessions, audio review guides, practice tests, and more—into the course fee, but you might benefit from investing in additional exam prep courses or workbooks. Certain Hawaiian real estate schools even provide a little exam wiggle room for students. For example, exam retakes are free for Maui Real Estate School students, while Abe Lee Seminars offers a course retake for students who don’t pass the exam after two attempts.
Continuing Education
Once you’re a licensed real estate agent, it’s never too soon to start thinking about license renewal and the continuing education (CE) requirements that come with it. First, you need to know about Hawaii’s licensing biennium. To successfully renew your real estate license in Hawaii, you’ll need to complete 20 hours of state-approved CE classes every two years. Of those 20 required hours, six will be dedicated to core coursework and the remaining 14 to elective courses.
Here at The Close, we recommend turning to schools like Colibri Real Estate, McKissock Learning, and The CE Shop for CE coursework. For locally based options, try Abe Lee Seminars’ proprietary CE classes or Carol Ball School of Real Estate’s CE courses via Continuing Ed Express.
Methodology: How We Selected the Best Real Estate Schools in HI
We are dedicated to making sure The Close’s Hawaii readers choose the best real estate school for their needs. That’s why our team of licensed real estate professionals, writers, and editors use a weighted rubric to score national and local state schools based on criteria such as:
Read more about The Close’s methodology here.
FAQs
Still have lingering questions about real estate licensing in Hawaii? We can help.
How do I become a real estate agent in Hawaii?
Once you choose an accredited real estate school that fits your learning style, you’ll need to complete a 60-hour mandatory prelicensing course. From there, you will schedule your licensing exam and dedicate time to studying for both the national and state portions of the exam. After earning a 70% or higher on the exam, you can move on to applying for your license. In order to maintain an active license, you must be employed or associated with a real estate brokerage firm or sole proprietor licensed in Hawaii. For more details, take a look at our guide to becoming a real estate agent in Hawaii.
How much does it cost to get your real estate license in Hawaii?
This will depend on the school and course package you choose. While most national schools offer course packages at different price points, local schools tend to offer fewer course options with limited price ranges. Our selection of best real estate schools in Hawaii range from $377 for a self-guided course to $895 for a live course over Zoom. You will find that many schools offer payment plans, money-back guarantees, and promo codes to ease the cost of learning as you begin your new career.
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Hawaii?
In general, it usually takes prospective real estate agents two to four months to get their license in Hawaii. You will dedicate a majority of your time to completing the required 60-hour prelicensing course and preparing to pass the state exam. Depending on the school, course, and time commitment you choose (e.g., full-time learning versus self-paced), the prelicensing course can be completed in as little as two weeks. But most schools give students six to 12 months of course access.
Additional steps, such as background checks, exam registration and completion, licensing applications, and finding a sponsoring broker, will take anywhere from three to six weeks in total.
How much do real estate sales agents earn in Hawaii?
A real estate agent’s earnings depend on their location within the state, number of deals, and commission split structure. According to The Close’s salary information database, the average real estate agent in Hawaii makes $71,128 per year.
How many Realtors are there in Hawaii?
As of October 31, 2023, Hawaii had 10,457 members enrolled in the National Association of Realtors.
Does Hawaii have reciprocity with any other state?
Unfortunately, Hawaii does not have reciprocal agreements with any other states. But active agents who are licensed in other states can apply for equivalency to bypass the required 60-hour prelicensing coursework and move straight into taking the Hawaii portion of the real estate license exam. Check out Maui Real Estate School for a Hawaii state-only course designed for out-of-state agents.
Bringing It All Together
With so many factors to consider, we hope this guide on the best real estate schools in Hawaii provided useful insight into which schools offer the most flexible learning schedules, interactive courses, supportive instructors, and more.
The Close is dedicated to providing thorough research and resources to guide you through every stage of your real estate career. Have additional thoughts or questions? Let us know in the comment section below!
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