Getting your Hawaii property and casualty license is the first step toward becoming a P&C insurance agent in Hawaii.
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division requires you to complete a five-step process to obtain your property & casualty license – from taking the P&C insurance exam to applying for a P&C license.
These steps will take a few weeks to complete so we recommend you bookmark this page so you can use it as a reference throughout the process.
How to Get Your Hawaii Property and Casualty Insurance License
- Complete a Hawaii Pre-License Education Course (Kaplan – $139)
- Take the Hawaii Licensing Exam (Pearson VUE – $75)
- Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check (Fieldprint Hawaii – $63)
- Complete a Hawaii License Application (National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – application fee depends on your date of birth and when the DCCA Insurance Division receives your application + $5.60 transaction fee)
- Watch for Your Application Results
Property and Casualty Insurance License Hawaii
Obtaining your Hawaii P&C license is easy. Just follow these five simple steps to start your journey toward becoming a property and casualty insurance agent. Once you earn this license, check out our guide on how to get your Hawaii life insurance license as well.
Step 1: Complete a Hawaii Pre-License Education Course
Before you take the Hawaii P&C insurance licensing exam, it’s important to make time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need to pass this exam on your first attempt. Completing a pre-license education course will equip you with the necessary information and tools you’ll need to prepare for your exam.
While Hawaii doesn’t have any formal pre-license education requirements, most insurance professionals opt to take a pre-license education course online. Pre-license education courses are self-paced and include study materials like practice exams and flashcards. Others purchase books or self-study materials to prepare themselves for the exam.
A pre-license education course provides very specific industry knowledge that insurance professionals will encounter during the exam. There are very few questions on this test that you can answer with “common sense” information.
You can complete insurance licensing courses on your own schedule and at your own pace when you choose online courses. Taking a pre-license education course will also give you a solid understanding of your duties as a P&C insurance agent.
Recommended
Doing a pre-licensing education course dramatically increases your chance of passing your exam on your first attempt, which can end up saving you both time and money in the long run. For pre-licensing education, StateRequirement recommends:
Step 2: Take the Hawaii Licensing Exam
After you complete a pre-licensing education course and/or your own independent study, it’s time to take the Hawaii P&C license exam.
Hawaii uses Pearson VUE as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.
The Hawaii P&C insurance exam is split into two exams: property and/or casualty. The property and/or casualty exam:
- Includes 83 scored questions (property insurance exam) or 91 scored questions (casualty insurance exam) that cover two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general sections deal with basic property and casualty insurance product knowledge. The state-specific sections cover P&C insurance concepts and terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Hawaii.
- Gives you 120 minutes (property insurance exam) or 135 minutes (casualty insurance exam) to complete the test. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
- Costs $75, a fee you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.
Passing the Hawaii P&C license exam can prove challenging, but taking an exam prep course and following a good study program can help prepare you to pass on your first attempt.
Pearson VUE also allows Hawaii exam takers to need to wait 24 hours before they can retake the exam.
Tip
Check out our in-depth insurance exam guide for tips to help you pass on the first attempt.
Step 3: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check
After you take the Hawaii P&C license exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from Fieldprint Hawaii. The fee for fingerprinting services is $63. Schedule your appointment, and then enter “HI-DCCA-INS” as the code to identify the DCCA Insurance Division as the recipient of your fingerprint results.
Once complete, Fieldprint Hawaii will send your fingerprinting results directly to the DCCA Insurance Division.
Step 4: Complete a Hawaii License Application
Once you pass the P&C insurance exam and complete a fingerprint-based background check, you can apply for your P&C insurance license.
In Hawaii, you must apply online via the NIPR. See the NIPR’s Hawaii Licensing Fees document for relevant applicant fees.
The DCCA Insurance Division will issue a P&C insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. You must submit the completed license application and applicable licensing fee within 60 days of the date of your fingerprinting appointment.
To apply for a life insurance license in Hawaii, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Hawaii Insurance Code.
If you have any questions or need to forward supporting documents related to your license application, send them to insurance@dcca.hawaii.gov.
Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results
After you complete the previous four steps, the DCCA Insurance Division will review your application and background check. This process usually takes three to 10 business days from the date you submit your application.
You can print your license from the NIPR website or the Hawaii Insurance Licensee Services page. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. If you need to search for and manage your license, you can find it by using Hawaii’s Insurance License Search tool.
Congratulations!
You’re now ready to get started as a P&C insurance agent in Hawaii.
Next Steps After Securing Your Hawaii Property and Casualty Insurance License
Once you complete the above steps and have your Hawaii P&C insurance license, here’s what you should pursue next.
Get a Job in the Insurance Field
Once you hold a P&C license, you can consider several different insurance-related careers. The P&C license gives you authorization within your state to sell P&C insurance policies and related products that’ll provide financial protection to your clients against loss or damage.
You can find P&C insurance job postings on our Insurance Jobs Board.
When applying for an insurance-related job, potential employers will request your license number and National Producer Number (NPN).
Complete Continuing Education and Renew Your License
In Hawaii, you must take 30 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. Hawaii CE requirements for property/casualty lines of authority include 18 credit hours relating to the property/casualty class of insurance and two credit hours focusing on ethics and/or Hawaii insurance laws.
If you have a non-resident license that satisfies the CE requirements in your home state, you don’t need to take CE courses in Hawaii.
To avoid delays in renewing your license, you must complete the required CE hours at least 60 days before your license expires. The renewal fee is $100 and the late fee is $300. You can renew your license at the DCCA Insurance Division’s Insurance License Extension/Renewal portal or via the NIPR.
For more detailed information, check out how to renew your license with our Hawaii insurance license renewal guide.
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division Contact Information
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 3614
Honolulu, HI 96811
Phone: (808) 586-2790
Email: insurance@dcca.hawaii.gov
Website: http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/
License Search: Hawaii Insurance License Search
Hawaii Property and Casualty License FAQ
How much does it cost to get a property and casualty insurance license in Hawaii?
The total cost of getting a property and casualty (P&C) insurance license in Hawaii is at least $333.60, but can reach nearly $500 based on the type of pre-license course you choose and the relevant application fees. The costs include:
Insurance Pre-license Education Course Fee: $139 via Kaplan
Exam Fee: $75 via Pearson VUE
Fingerprint-Based Background Check Fee: $63 via Fieldprint Hawaii
Application Fee: It depends on your date of birth and when the DCCA Insurance Division receives your application + $5.60 transaction fee via the NIPR
How long does it take to process a property and casualty insurance license application in Hawaii?
It will take up to three to ten business days for you to become an insurance agent You’ll receive an email once the DCCA Insurance Division reviews your application.
Can I get a temporary property and casualty insurance agent license in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii provides a 180-day, temporary P&C insurance license. To apply for a temporary license, see initial license instructions at the DCCA Insurance Division.
Can I get an emergency property and casualty insurance agent license in Hawaii?
No. An emergency license isn’t available for life insurance agents in Hawaii.
What can I sell with a property and casualty insurance license in Hawaii?
With a Hawaii P&C license, you can sell insurance products like homeowners insurance, renters insurance, auto insurance, general liability insurance, and workers’ compensation policies.
How much can you make with a property and casualty insurance license in Hawaii?
According to ZipRecruiter, P&C insurance agents earn an average salary of between $30,000 and $44,500+ per year. P&C insurance agents who sell homeowners and auto insurance also can earn a 5 percent to 20 percent commission based on policy premiums.
What are the limitations of a Hawaii property and casualty insurance license?
Unless you have multiple licenses to sell various types of insurance products, having a Hawaii P&C license only gives you the authority to negotiate and sell P&C insurance policies. You’ll need additional licenses to sell other types of insurance.
Can I cancel my property and casualty license in Hawaii?
Yes. To cancel your license, complete the Voluntary Surrender of Insurance License form. Go to the DCCA Insurance Division’s Forms for Insurance Licensing page, and then download and complete Form VS.
How hard is it to get a property and casualty insurance license in Hawaii?
The process is quite simple! Follow the steps above and get started today!