A Guide to Nursing Licenses and Renewals in Hawaii
There are so many things to do in Hawaii it’s hard to know where to begin. Relaxing at the beach, snorkeling with the fish, and don’t forget surfing. There are many historical spots like the USS Arizona at the Salute to Pearl Harbor site. Take a boat, helicopter, or jeep around the islands for magnificent vistas. And don’t forget to put on your grass skirt and join a luau.
If you are a registered nurse (or are thinking of becoming one) read on to find the information you need, from licensing info, continuing education requirements, and renewals.
In this article, we will cover:
- How to get your Hawaii nursing license
- Licensing fees
- How to renew your Hawaii nursing license
- Continuing education requirements
- How to contact the Hawaii Board of Nursing
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How to get your Hawaii nursing license
Step 1: Education
Apply for entry at an accredited nursing school and take all required courses to earn your nursing degree. There are many levels of nursing you can achieve, including:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.
Step 2: Apply
A month or two before you graduate from nursing school, submit an application to the Hawaii Board of Nursing.
The application is available online on the website of Hawaii’s Professional & Vocational Licensing Division.
The application requires a legible copy of your:
- Government-issued photo ID that includes your date of birth (same photo ID to be used for entry into the exam); and
- “Signed” Social Security card.
If you are not authorized to work in the United States, conditional approval may be required if you pass the NCLEX.
Step 3. Transcripts
School transcripts must be requested and sent directly from your nursing program. The state will not accept transcripts unless they are in a sealed envelope from your nursing program.
Step 4: Fingerprints
Hawaii nurse licensure applicants are required to be fingerprinted for a criminal history record check.
Appointments can be made on the fieldprint website. Enter code FPHIBrdNursing or call (877) 614-4361.
Applicants pay the cost of fingerprinting fees. Fingerprinting must be completed within 30 days of submitting your application.
Step 5. Take the NCLEX
The National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) test is the end point of your nursing education and the key to getting your nursing license.
It consists of 75-145 questions that you are expected to complete within five hours. Candidates for nurse licensure in Hawaii have three chances to pass the NCLEX. Failure to pass after three attempts requires completion of a board-approved remedial course before being approved to sit for the NCLEX again.
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Licensing fees
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Hawaii whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Hawaii from another state. For more information visit the Hawaii licensing page.
Licensing fee by examination (first-time nurses)
- NCLEX fee: $200
- Application fee: $60
Licensing fee by endorsement (already have RN licensure)
- Application fee: $234 (between 7/1 odd years and 6/30 even years); $166 (between 7/1 even years and 6/30 odd years)
- APRN application fee: $194 (between 7/1 every odd year and 6/30 every even year; $126 between 7/1 every odd year and 6/30 every even year
License renewal fees
- Application fee: $196 (RN/LPN); $36 (APRN)
*Fees are subject to change.
**Most states require a background check, but prices are not always listed.
How to renew your Hawaii nursing license
Step 1. Submit renewal application
Hawaii’s nursing licenses expire on June 30th of each odd-numbered year, no matter what date the license holder’s original license was issued.
Applications for renewal are generally available approximately 60 days prior to that date and can be requested or picked up from:
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
335 Merchant Street, Room 301,
Honolulu, HI
- Nurses who have not had any disciplinary action pending or taken or who have not had a conviction during the two years prior to their renewal date can apply online.
- Nurses who were licensed in Hawaii before July 1, 2017 may be selected at random to complete a Complete Background Check.
- Nurses who have not practiced for more than five years may be required to pass the NCLEX exam and to complete appropriate continuing education courses approved by the Hawaii Board of Nursing.
Step 2. Fulfill continuing competency requirements
Hawaii offers nurses renewing their licenses 10 options to meet their continuing competency requirements. They are:
- National certification of recertification related to the nurse’s practice role.
- 30 contact hours of continuing education activities.
- Completion of a board-approved refresher course.
- Completion of a minimum of two semester credits of post-licensure academic education related to nursing practice from an accredited nursing program.
- Participation as a preceptor, for at least one nursing student or employee transitioning into new clinical practice areas for at least one hundred twenty hours, in a one-to-one relationship as part of an organized preceptorship program; provided that the licensee may precept more than one student or employee during the one hundred twenty hours and shall be evidenced by documentation of hours completed and objectives of the preceptorship by the institution supervising the student.
- Completion as principal or co-principal investigator of a nursing research project that is an institutional review board project or evidence-based practice project that has been preapproved by the board.
- Authoring or coauthoring a peer-reviewed published nursing or health-related article, book, or book chapter.
- Developing and conducting a nursing education presentation or presentations totaling a minimum of five contact hours of actual organized instruction that qualifies as continuing education.
- Completion of a board-recognized nurse residency program.
- A similar type of learning activity option provided that the type of activity shall be recognized by the Board.
Online CEUs for Hawaii are available online for you to take at your convenience at no cost on Incredible Health’s website.
Step 3. Submit your renewal application
Your renewal application can be submitted via the state’s Professional Vocational Licensing page.
Continuing education requirements
RN/LPN/APRN
To renew licensure, nurses must complete one of the following learning activities:
- 30 contact hours of continuing education activities
- Authoring/co-authoring a peer-reviewed and published article, book, or book chapter on a relevant nursing or health-related topic
- Completion of a Board-approved refresher course
- Completion of a Board-recognized nurse residency program
- Completing a minimum of 2-semester credits of post-licensure academic education from an accredited nursing program related to their nursing practice area
- Completion as a principal nursing research project that is either a review board or evidence-based practice project (must be pre-approved by the Nursing Board)
- Developing/conducting five contact hours of a nursing education presentation or presentations of organized instruction that meets the continuing education qualifications
- National certification or recertification related to the area of practice
- Participating as a preceptor for at least one nursing student or employee transitioning into new clinical practice areas for at least 120 hours in a 1:1 relationship as part of an organized preceptor program. See additional requirements of this learning activity on the Board of Nursing website
Except for the pharmacotherapeutics requirement for APRNs, there are no mandates for specific nursing CEUs in Hawaii. APRNs must complete 30 contact hours, with 8 of those hours related to pharmacology.
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Hawaii Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
How to contact the Hawaii Board of Nursing
Hawaii Board of Nursing
Phone: (808) 586-3000
Fax: (808) 586-2689
Mailing Address:
PVLD/DCCA
Attn: Board of Nursing
PO Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
Physical Address:
King Kalakaua Bldg
335 Merchant Street
Room 301
Honolulu, HI 96813
More Resources
- Best hospitals in Hawaii
- Best nursing schools in Hawaii
- Average salary for RNs in Hawaii
