C. 2 years is correct. Hawaiʻi's producer licensing requirements specify that an applicant must have passed the applicable licensing examination for each requested line of authority within the two years immediately preceding issuance of the license . The current statutory framework was clarified by Act 111 of 2021 and continues to use the two-year examination-validity standard.
Passing an examination does not itself create authority to transact insurance. The applicant must still complete the licensing process, satisfy age and character requirements, pay the appropriate fees, submit required fingerprints and background information, and obtain the license before engaging in regulated producer activity.
If too much time passes after the examination, the examination result no longer satisfies the licensing requirement and the applicant may need to retake the applicable examination unless another statutory exemption applies.
Six months and one year are therefore shorter than Hawaiʻi's stated validity period. Five years materially exceeds the period permitted.
The 2026 Hawaiʻi Insurance Examination Content Outline separately tests producer licensing requirements and the substantive Life-General Knowledge material that candidates must pass before applying for authority.
Reference topics: HRS §§431:9A-105 and 431:9A-106; Producer Examination; Application for License; Two-Year Examination Validity.
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