Hawaii insurance exam study guide
Last updated
The Hawaii content outline from Pearson VUE prints how many scored questions come from each section of the Life and the Accident and Health exams. [1] That is the most direct study plan there is. This guide turns those counts into an order of study.
Step 1: know the exam
| Life | Accident and Health | |
|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | 50 scored plus 5 pretest | 50 scored plus 5 pretest |
| Hawaii specific | 35 scored plus 6 pretest | 35 scored plus 5 pretest |
| Time | General 75 minutes, state 45 minutes | General 75 minutes, state 45 minutes |
Counts from the outline; times from the handbook. [1] [2] The passing score is a scaled 70, which is not a percentage of questions answered correctly. [2] The exam fee is $75. [2] The Hawaii Insurance Division does not require a specific program of pre-licensing education. [2]
Step 2: Life general knowledge (50 questions)
| Order | Section | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I. Types of policies | 15 |
| 1 | II. Life provisions, riders, options, and exclusions | 15 |
| 3 | III. Completing the application, underwriting, and delivering the policy | 12 |
| 4 | IV. Retirement and other insurance concepts | 8 |
Sections I and II are 30 of the 50 general questions. [1]
Step 3: Accident and Health general knowledge (50 questions)
| Order | Section | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I. Types of policies | 16 |
| 2 | II. Policy provisions, clauses, and riders | 15 |
| 3 | V. Field underwriting procedures | 8 |
| 4 | III. Social insurance | 6 |
| 5 | IV. Other insurance concepts | 5 |
Sections I and II are 31 of the 50 general questions. [1]
Step 4: the Hawaii part (35 questions)
Both exams share Section I, Hawaii laws and rules common to all lines, with 23 questions. It covers the insurance commissioner, definitions, licensing, marketing practices and guaranty associations. [1] Section II has 12 questions on Hawaii laws for your line only: [1]
- Life: marketing methods and practices, variable contracts, policy clauses and provisions, group life, participation in surplus, and credit life.
- Accident and Health: marketing methods and practices, policy clauses and provisions, and long-term care.
Method: 23 of 35 Hawaii questions is about two thirds, so the common section deserves most of your state study time. Check yourself with the free Hawaii insurance law practice test.
Step 5: practice, then review the misses
For each question you miss, find the outline section it belongs to. Clusters of misses show you the next section to study.
Step 6: know the test day rules
- Pretest questions are mixed in with scored questions and are not identified, so answer every question carefully. [2]
- The tutorial does not reduce your exam time. [2]
- At a test center, you wait 24 hours to retest after a failed attempt. On OnVUE, the first retest after a failed online attempt requires a two week wait, and later OnVUE retests require four weeks. [2]
- A failing score report includes a numeric score and diagnostic information for the general portion. [2]
- Exam scores are valid for two years from the date of the exam. [3]
FAQ
How many questions are on the Hawaii life insurance exam?
85 scored: 50 general and 35 Hawaii, plus pretest questions. [1]
What should I study first?
The largest sections: types of policies and provisions in the general part, and Section I in the Hawaii part. [1]
Do I need pre-licensing education?
No. The Division does not require a specific program of pre-licensing education. [2]
Prep Retention is independent and is not affiliated with Pearson VUE or the state.
Sources
Laws and exam documents quoted as of October 2026.
- Pearson VUE, Hawaii content outlines 121201 (effective January 1, 2026): https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/121201.pdf
- Pearson VUE, Hawaii candidate handbook 121200 (January 2026): https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/121200.pdf
- HRS 431:9A-105: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol09_Ch0431-0435H/HRS0431/HRS_0431-0009A-0105.htm