Real Estate License from Hawaii to Montana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) ↗
A real estate license transfers from Hawaii to Montana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry), verify your Hawaii license, and meet Montana's endorsement requirements. National portion waived under the Out-of-State Licensee/Waiver Process: the applicant passes only the Montana STATE portion of the salesperson examination; the 70-hour pre-licensing education required of new applicants is not required.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Montana publishes no agreement covering Hawaii, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Montana's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) 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, Hawaii → Montana
| Hawaii (current) | Montana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 60 | 70 |
| Application fee | $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).) | $80 ($80 application fee; separate Pearson VUE examination fee paid to the test vendor) |
| Processing time | Not stated for equivalency processing; equivalency certificates are valid two years once granted | Board of Realty Regulation does not publish a processing-time range |
| Licensing authority | Hawaii Real Estate Commission (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) | Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Montana sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Montana's current requirements on the Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Pass the Montana STATE portion of the salesperson examination (taken via Pearson VUE).
- Provide official license verification from every state/jurisdiction in which the applicant holds or has ever held any professional license.
- Be employed by or under contract with a Montana broker who holds a Supervising Broker Endorsement.
- Provide proof of Professional Liability / Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance (MCA 37-51-325).
- Disclose and document any prior discipline.
- Pay the fees ($80 ($80 application fee; separate Pearson VUE examination fee paid to the test vendor)) and allow Board of Realty Regulation does not publish a processing-time range.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Montana accept a Hawaii real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from Hawaii to Montana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry), verify your Hawaii license, and meet Montana's endorsement requirements. National portion waived under the Out-of-State Licensee/Waiver Process: the applicant passes only the Montana STATE portion of the salesperson examination; the 70-hour pre-licensing education required of new applicants is not required.
Which exams will I take moving from Hawaii to Montana?
National portion waived under the Out-of-State Licensee/Waiver Process: the applicant passes only the Montana STATE portion of the salesperson examination; the 70-hour pre-licensing education required of new applicants is not required.
What does the move cost?
$80 ($80 application fee; separate Pearson VUE examination fee paid to the test vendor) ($80 application fee; separate Pearson VUE examination fee paid to the test vendor).
Can I keep selling in Hawaii after I'm licensed in Montana?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Hawaii 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.
- MT Board of Realty Regulation — Real Estate Salesperson license information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MT Board of Realty Regulation — Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Requirements & Application Checklist (Updated 11/2025; Out-of-State Licensee/Waiver Process; $80 fee; 70-hour pre-licensing) ↗ (accessed 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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