Licensing authority
Hawaii Board of Nursing
Conditions & source context
Exact board heading on the captured current Board page.
Nursing licensure · NLC status table · EMS licensure
HI
Hawaii
Does this state recognize my multistate license?
Full license requiredHI
No — you need a state license
Hawaii is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license does not cover practice here. You need a Hawaii license, usually by endorsement.
Supporting evidence and conditions
Hawaii is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license does not cover practice here. You need a Hawaii license, usually by endorsement.
NCSBN · ncsbn.org · verified 15 Oct 2026
- Law enacted
- No not enacted
- In force
- No not in force
- Issuing multistate licenses
- No not issuing multistate licenses
Each answer links to the state rule it comes from. Open “Source quotation” for the exact wording.
Licensing authority
Board contacts, official applications and governing rules.
Authority website
Conditions & source context
Official Board page identifies the nursing regulator.
Licensing portal
Conditions & source context
The Board page publishes the exact MyPVL portal link.
Contact
- Phone
- 1-844-808-3222
- nursing@dcca.hawaii.gov
- Address
- P.O. Box 3469, Honolulu, Hawaii 96801
Conditions & source context
Only contact details in this quoted current manual block are included; the separate Licensing Branch number and street address are omitted.
Source quotation
Mailing Address P.O. Box 3469, Honolulu, Hawaii 96801 Phone 1-844-808-3222 Email nursing@dcca.hawaii.gov
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
License requirements
License types, exams, expiration dates and multistate eligibility.
Licence types
RN
- State title
- Registered Nurse
- Notes
- NLC issuance status is held separately pending explicit current compact verification.
LPN
- State title
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Notes
- NLC issuance status is held separately pending explicit current compact verification.
Conditions & source context
Current official chapter index contains both RN and LPN sections.
Source quotation
457-7 Registered nurses; qualifications; licenses; fees; title; existing licensed nurses; verification of licenses; eligibility 457-7.5 Delegation 457-8 Licensed practical nurse; qualifications; license; fees; title; existing licensed nurses; verification of licenses; eligibility
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · State statute
NCLEX required to get licensed
Yes
Conditions & source context
The current RN/LPN by-exam application explicitly identifies the licensing examination as NCLEX; HRS 457-7 and 457-8 separately require passing the Board-determined examination. This excerpt alone does not define examination vendor.
Source quotation
If you are not authorized to work in the U.S. and do not have a U.S. social security number issued to you, you may still apply to sit for the NCLEX, however, upon passing, you may be issued a conditional approval. This conditional approval is NOT a license to practice nursing.
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
Licence term
- Years
- 2
- Expires on
- The same date for everyone
- Fixed date
- June 30 of odd-numbered years
Source quotation
All nurse licenses expire on June 30 of every odd-numbered year
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
Working across state lines
Compact membership, license privileges and application requirements.
NLC law enacted
- Status
- No
Conditions & source context
NCSBN lists Hawaii among the jurisdictions that have not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
NLC law in force
- Status
- No
Conditions & source context
NCSBN lists Hawaii among the jurisdictions that have not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
Issuing multistate licences
- Status
- No
Conditions & source context
NCSBN lists Hawaii among the jurisdictions that have not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
Can I take a contract on privilege alone
No — you need a state license
Conditions & source context
Hawaii is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license does not cover practice here. You need a Hawaii license, usually by endorsement.
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
Apply from another state
Eligibility, application fees, background checks and temporary licenses.
Endorsement available
Yes
Source quotation
Endorsement: The board may issue a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse by endorsement to an applicant who has been licensed as a registered nurse under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country if the applicant has an unencumbered license and, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the qualifications required of registered nurses in this State at the time of graduation.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · State statute
What it is called
Combined Temporary Permit + License by Endorsement for LPNs and RNs
Source quotation
REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE – COMBINED TEMPORARY PERMIT + LICENSE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES AND REGISTERED NURSES
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
Where to apply
Conditions & source context
The exact published link target was retrieved from the Board page link.
Source context Board page publishes this combined form as a link; the exact PDF target was obtained from the page link at observation time.
Source quotation
RN/LPN Combined Temporary Nursing Permit + License By Endorsement Instructions and Application Form
Source quotation
RN/LPN Combined Temporary Nursing Permit + License By Endorsement Instructions and Application Form
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
What you must provide
Age and work authorization
- Detail
- At least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or alien authorized to work in the United States.
U.S. Social Security Number
- Detail
- A U.S. Social Security Number is required for the endorsement route.
Current out-of-state license
- Detail
- Current RN or LPN license from another state, territory, or foreign country; all licenses unencumbered.
Nursing education and examination
- Detail
- Graduate of an approved nursing program and has passed NCLEX-PN for LPN or NCLEX-RN for RN; the form also recognizes specified predecessor exams.
Conditions & source context
The form also lists the State Board Test Pool Exam for Canadian provinces and certain predecessor state exams as alternatives.
Source quotation
PART 2: LICENSE You must meet the following requirements to qualify for a license by endorsement: BY ENDORSEMENT 1. You are at least 18 years old; REQUIREMENTS 2. You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or an alien authorized to work in the U.S.; 3. You have a U.S. Social Security Number; 4. You are currently licensed as an LPN or RN under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country, and all of your licenses are unencumbered; 1 5. You graduated from an approved nursing program, subject to Hawaii Administrative Rules (“HAR”) 16-89-17 and HAR 16-89-18; 6. You have already passed: a. The NCLEX-PN if you are applying for an LPN license by endorsement; b. The NCLEX-RN if you are applying for an RN license by endorsement; c. The State Board Test Pool Exam (Canadian provinces only); or d. A state board licensing examination in another jurisdiction of the United States prior to the inception of the SBTPE in that jurisdiction.
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
Temporary licence
- Available
- Yes
- Type
- combined temporary permit with endorsement
- Fee
- 236
- Eligibility
- Valid and unencumbered RN/LPN license elsewhere, accepted appointment/employment with one Hawaii health care entity, work authorization, age 18+, and no nursing discipline; valid until full license or one year, whichever comes first.
Source quotation
If granted, a temporary permit is valid until the applicant obtains a full license, but no longer than one year from the date of issuance.
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
Background check
- Required
- Yes
- State check
- Yes
- FBI check
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Vendor
- Fieldprint Inc.
- From out of state
- Applicants outside the U.S. without access to a Fieldprint location may request a mailed fingerprint card in writing.
Conditions & source context
Fingerprint fee amount is charged directly by Fieldprint and not published in the instructions.
Source quotation
CRIMINAL HISTORY All applicants for licensure by endorsement are required to submit to an FBI fingerprint check RECORD CHECK through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (“HCJDC”). To obtain an FBI National Criminal History Record Check and State of Hawaii Criminal History Record Check, go to http://fieldprinthawaii.com to set up an appointment at a Fieldprint Inc. location within the U.S. You must use the Fieldprint code FPHIBrdNursing (not case sensitive) when making an appointment and designate the Hawaii Board of Nursing as the agency, or else we will not be able to retrieve your results and you will be required to get refingerprinted and pay another fee. You are required to bear the cost of the fingerprint processing. All fingerprinting fees shall be paid directly to Fieldprint. Applicant Notification and Record Challenge: Your fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the FBI. Your fingerprints will also be retained by the HCJDC and the FBI for all purposes and uses authorized for fingerprint submissions, which may include participation in the state and national rap back programs. You can complete or challenge the accuracy of the information contained in the FBI identification record. The procedure for obtaining a change, correction, or update to an FBI identification record is set forth in Title 28, CFR, 16.34. Applicants Outside the U.S.: If you live outside of the U.S. and do not have access to a Fieldprint location, please submit an application to us along with a written request for a mailed fingerprint card. Please provide us with an address to send the fingerprint card packet.
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
Application fee
- Amount
- 236
- Per
- application
- Non-refundable
- Yes
- Scope
- Combined temporary permit plus RN/LPN endorsement; permit issued 2026-07-01 through 2027-06-30
- Also payable
Applicant-paid Fieldprint fingerprint processing
Conditions & source context
Fee applies to the combined temporary-permit-plus-endorsement route for permits issued 2026-07-01 through 2027-06-30. Fieldprint charges are separate and applicant-paid but amount is unpublished.
Source quotation
If your temporary permit is issued between July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, the fee is $236.00.
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
Nursys verification
- Verification for endorsement
- Yes
- Conditions
- Nursys verification is required for the temporary-permit document set when the applicant holds a multistate license. Verification directly from a board is accepted when the jurisdiction does not use Nursys.
Conditions & source context
License verification is required. The combined application distinguishes multistate-license holders from applicants whose boards do not use Nursys.
Source quotation
Verification of all your licenses, whether current or expired, completed by the originating state board, via:
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
Renewal and education
Renewal dates, required education and reinstatement options.
Renewal interval (years)
2
Source quotation
All nurse licenses expire on June 30 of every odd-numbered year
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
State-specific requirements
RN/LPN licensees must complete one continuing-competency activity option before renewal unless an exemption applies. The Board may audit documentation.
Conditions & source context
The manual describes exemptions for qualifying current national certification and recent nursing graduates; review the exemption conditions in Sources.
Source quotation
Continuing Competency Renewal Requirements Beginning on July 1, 2017, all Hawaii nurse licensees are required to complete one of the learning activity options for continuing competency prior to the renewal of their Hawaii nurse license. Please review the Continuing Competency Manual . (Pursuant to HRS §457-9 and HRS §457-9.2(a) and (e).) The board may conduct a random audit to determine whether the continuing competency requirements have been met.
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
If your licence lapses
- Restoration window years
- 2
- Requirements
- Meet restoration requirements; electronic fingerprint-based criminal-history check and proof of continuing competency are required for restoration/reactivation.
Conditions & source context
Current manual table applies the restoration window to the 2027 license cycle; restoration requires application, fees and continuing competency. The general two-year formulation is not asserted beyond that stated cycle.
Source quotation
Forfeited license within 2 May restore by submitting restoration application, paying fees, and years (by June 30, 2029) meeting all restoration requirements including continuing competency. License not restored within 2 License is TERMINATED. Must reapply as a new applicant and meet years (after June 30, 2029) all current initial licensure requirements.
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
Renewal competency and CE
RN
- Mandated topics
None
- Alternatives
- One of nine learning activity options per biennium. The 30-contact-hour CE option is only one option; other options include refresher, post-licensure study, precepting, research/project, publication, education presentation, residency, or pre-approved similar activity.
- Exemption note
- Current national certification or graduation within 12 months of first renewal can exempt RN/LPN from the activity requirement.
LPN
- Mandated topics
None
- Alternatives
- One of nine learning activity options per biennium. The 30-contact-hour CE option is only one option; other options include refresher, post-licensure study, precepting, research/project, publication, education presentation, residency, or pre-approved similar activity.
- Exemption note
- Current national certification or graduation within 12 months of first renewal can exempt RN/LPN from the activity requirement.
Conditions & source context
Manual covers the 2025–2027 biennium. Exactly one listed option is required; 30 CE contact hours is one option and not a universal hours total. Current certification/recent-graduate exemptions are stated separately in the manual.
Source quotation
GROUND RULES - READ FIRST: • You must complete exactly ONE learning activity option per biennium. • You may NOT combine activities or hours from different options. • Activities must be completed between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2027. • Activities completed before July 1, 2025 do NOT count for this biennium. # OPTION NAME MINIMUM REQUIREMENT 1 Continuing Education (CE) 30 contact hours from approved providers 3 Board-Approved Refresher 60 hours didactic + 60 hours clinical Course 4 Post-Licensure Academic Minimum 2 semester credits from an accredited nursing Education program 5 Preceptor Activity 120 hours as a preceptor in a one-to-one organized preceptorship program 6 Nursing Research / Evidence- Completed IRB-approved research study or Board pre- Based Practice (EBP) Project approved EBP project as principal/co-principal investigator 7 Peer-Reviewed Publication Author or co-author a published nursing or health-related article, book, or book chapter 8 Nursing Education Presentation Minimum 5 contact hours of organized instruction qualifying as CE 9 Nurse Residency Program Completion of a Board-recognized nurse residency program 10 Similar / Other Activity Board pre-approval required before starting
cca.hawaii.gov · State Board of Nursing
Ask the board of nursing
Hawaii's published rules don't answer these. Ask before you apply — cca.hawaii.gov.
- Multistate licences issued. Does Hawaii issue multistate licences?
- Conditions for privilege. What do I have to satisfy for multistate privilege to apply in Hawaii?