Hawaii Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements

Hawaii registered nurse licenses are regulated by the Hawaii Board of Nursing, under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. Hawaii is not currently a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), though eNLC legislation has been pending.

At a Glance

Detail	Information
Regulatory Body	Hawaii Board of Nursing (DCCA)
Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years (biennial, odd-numbered years)
Renewal Deadline	June 30 of odd-numbered years
CE Hours Required	30 contact hours (or alternative competency option)
Renewal Fee	$196
Compact State (NLC)	No (legislation pending)
Online Renewal	Yes — myHawaii account (DCCA)

Continuing Competency Requirements

Hawaii uses a continuing competency model with multiple learning activity options. You must complete one of the following during the 2-year renewal period:

1. 30 contact hours of CE from a Board-recognized provider
2. National certification or recertification related to your nursing practice role
3. 120-hour refresher course (evenly split between didactic and clinical)
4. 2 semester credits of post-licensure education related to nursing
5. 120 hours as a preceptor for a nursing student or new nurse
6. Nursing research study or evidence-based practice project
7. Peer-reviewed publication (article, book, or chapter on nursing/health topic)
8. Developing and conducting nursing education presentations totaling at least 5 contact hours
9. Board-approved nurse residency program

Important Rules

• You must choose ONE option only. You cannot combine partial completion of multiple options (e.g., 15 hours of CE plus 15 hours of another activity).
• Only learning activities completed within the prior biennium are accepted.
• CE approved by another state's Board of Nursing is NOT acceptable — courses must be from providers recognized by the Hawaii Board.

APRN Requirements

• APRNs with active national certification are exempt from the continuing competency requirements above
• APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete at least 30 hours of CE, including 8 hours in pharmacology and 22 hours in their practice specialty

Hawaii-Specific Notes

• Not a compact state. Hawaii does not participate in the NLC. You must hold a Hawaii-specific license to practice in the state, regardless of licenses held elsewhere. eNLC legislation has been introduced but not yet implemented.
• Fixed renewal date for all nurses. All Hawaii RN and LPN licenses expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years, regardless of when the license was issued.
• Renewal window opens 60 days before expiration (approximately May 1).
• Variable initial license fee. The initial license fee varies depending on whether it's issued in an odd or even year (since all licenses align to the June 30 odd-year expiration).
• Forfeiture for non-renewal. Licenses not renewed by the expiration date are forfeited. You may not practice. Forfeited licenses can be restored within 2 years by meeting restoration requirements and paying applicable fees. After 2 years, the license is terminated and you must reapply as a new applicant.
• Random audits. The Board may conduct random audits to verify continuing competency compliance.
• Fingerprinting required for all applications received after July 1, 2017, through Fieldprint (code: FPHIBrdNursing).
• No grace period. If you don't renew by June 30, you are unlicensed and may not practice.

How to Renew

1. Complete one learning activity option during the 2-year renewal period
2. Log in to your myHawaii account through DCCA online licensing
3. Complete the online renewal application
4. Attest to continuing competency compliance
5. Pay the $196 renewal fee
6. Retain CE documentation for at least 4 years

Fees

Fee Type	Amount
RN Renewal	$196
Temporary Permit	$50
Restoration (within 2 years)	Contact Board for current fees

Contact Information

Hawaii Board of Nursing

• Website: cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/nursing
• Email: nursing@dcca.hawaii.gov
• Phone: (808) 586-2695
• Address: P.O. Box 3469, Honolulu, HI 96801

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This page is for informational purposes only. Requirements may change — always verify current requirements with the Hawaii Board of Nursing before renewing. Last reviewed March 2026.

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