How Do You Start the Background Check Early (Before Finishing Education) ?

Question

I’ve been told it’s possible—and even recommended—to start the background check and fingerprinting process early, since it can take about three weeks to complete. I’m currently around 80% done with the pre-licensing education and planning to take the exam in about 3–4 weeks, so starting the background check now would be ideal.

I created an account on MyPVL and began the application process. After filling out the initial basic info pages, the system asks me to upload the entire application along with all supporting documents and certificates.

Has anyone successfully started the background check process before completing their education? If so, how did you do it on the MyPVL system? Any help would be much appreciated!

Mahalo

UPDATE: I just found this note on the DCCA Real Estate Branch website:

Based on this, it sounds like it may not be possible to trigger the fingerprinting/background check process before passing the exam. Can anyone confirm whether that’s true? Or is there a workaround I’m missing?

Bruce Lynn · Answer

I would guess it doesn't matter what order you do it.  My thought if you are sure you are going to complete all classes and pass the test, then you can do it all at the simultaneiously and get started ealier than doing them one step at a time.

I guess if you are in HI, check with the Hawaii Real Estate Commission or whoever issues licenses.

Hopefully this is not you, but on our state website they have pass rates by school.  I think some schools only have about a 50% pass rate and some maybe 60%, so no need to waste money on application and background check if you can't pass the test.  I don't think it is a reflection on the school, but rather the student and perhaps the method of study they choose.

Good luck and best wishes.

Ben Na · Answer

I passed the national and state of Hawaii exams a while back, and I’m in the process of paying the fees and having my formal license application reviewed. What I’ve noted is that many of the blogs, online and physical school websites - all seem to lack clarity on the very specific requirements. Often they provide conflicting information on the exact prerequisites.

This is old, but it’s from the state of Hawaii at least, and not some random blog, and says background checks are not required. Hopefully someone licensed in Hawaii can confirm if it’s now a requirement or not. https://cca.hawaii.gov/reb/files/2019/02/bull0219.pdf

Fouad Hajji · Answer

Yes, I’m in Honolulu. I had actually been told — and also saw in a RE video on YouTube — that you could start the background check process early while you're still finishing your education. The idea is that since it can take up to three weeks to process, doing it early could save time so you’re not waiting on it after you pass the exam.

However, all of the information I listed above, including the note I quoted, came directly from the Hawaii Real Estate Commission’s website. According to that, it seems the official license application — which includes instructions for fingerprinting and the background check — is only given to candidates after they pass the exam. So unless I’m misunderstanding something, it doesn’t look like you can start the background check early in Hawaii.

I was a bit surprised to learn that, since other states sometimes let you handle the background check earlier in the process. But I do appreciate your point — no sense in paying for the background check or license application until you're fairly confident you'll pass.

Thanks again for your input and best wishes to you too!

Fouad Hajji · Answer

" NOTE:  The Salesperson and Broker (Individual) license application is provided to candidates upon successfully passing the Hawaii real estate salesperson or broker examination at the test site.  Successful examination candidates may also obtain the application by calling, writing, or faxing the Real Estate Branch "