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How to get a Registered Nurse (RN) license in Hawaii

Hawaii licenses registered nurses statewide through the Board of Nursing.1 For the Registered Nurse (RN) license you need a passing score on the NCLEX-RN1 and a criminal background check2. The board lists $40 for the application2 and $36 for the initial license3, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years2 and complete at least 30 hours of continuing education4.

Last checked · 12 official sources

Who issues it

Board of Nursing

Training and experience

An approved education program; see the requirements

Exam

NCLEX-RN1

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $402
Initial license fee: $363
Exam fee: $3505

Renewal

Every 2 years2, at least 30 hours of continuing education4

From another state

License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses16 Details

On this page
  1. Who needs a Registered Nurse (RN) license
  2. Requirements for a Registered Nurse (RN) license
  3. How much a Registered Nurse (RN) license costs
  4. How to apply
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. Moving to Hawaii with a license from another state
  7. Laws and rules
  8. Rule changes since January 2024
  9. Common questions
  10. Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

Who needs a Registered Nurse (RN) license

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Students in accredited nursing programs whose practice is incidental to the program are not in violation.1

Requirements for a Registered Nurse (RN) license

Minimum age
18 years old2
Education or training
Graduation from a state-approved or nationally accredited baccalaureate, graduate pre-licensure, associate degree or diploma RN program in the U.S., a board-recognized external degree program, or a foreign program evaluated as comparable; transcript sent directly by the school.2
Who may teach it: Board-approved/accredited nursing program; foreign education reviewed by a Board-approved credentials evaluator (TruMerit, Josef Silny, SpanTran, IEE, ERES, ECE).2
Alternative: Armed Forces program graduates: letter from the state board recognizing the program plus transcripts and course descriptions; the form warns these programs generally do not meet RN requirements.2
Experience
No practice experience is required for license by examination. Nurses who have not practiced in the U.S. or territories for five or more years may be required to retake the NCLEX or complete board-approved continuing education.2
Exam
NCLEX-RN1
Given by: National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX)5
Passing score: Set by NCSBN unless the board decides otherwise.1
When you can take it: After the board receives the complete application and transcript (or school completion letter); allow 3-4 weeks.2
Retakes: After three failures anywhere, a board-approved remedial course (60 hours didactic + 60 hours clinical) is required; apply within six months of the course; up to three more attempts before remediation again.1
Background check
Background check required2
Fingerprints required2
Yes answers on conviction/discipline questions need a signed statement and court documents or board orders; endorsement and temporary-permit applicants also submit an NPDB self-query report.1
Residency or citizenship
Must be a U.S. citizen, national or alien authorized to work; applicants without work authorization may sit for the NCLEX but receive only a conditional approval until they provide proof.2
Social Security number
Social Security Number and a legible signed Social Security card required for issuance.2
Also required
Applications incomplete for one year after notice are deemed abandoned.5

How much a Registered Nurse (RN) license costs

You pay the Board of Nursing (12 fees) and NCSBN (NCLEX registration) (exam fee).

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$402Board of NursingLicense by examination or endorsement. Not refundable
Initial license fee$363Board of NursingIssued in the second year of the biennium (July 1 even year - June 30 odd year)
Initial license fee$543Board of NursingLicense fees: First year of the biennium (original license fee, plus one-half of the biennial renewal fee): Registered nurse. Issued July 1 odd year - June 30 even year
Compliance resolution fund fee for licensed practical nurses and registered nurses$503Board of NursingNew license issued in the second year of the biennium ($100 biennial CRF if issued in the first year)
Center for Nurse Fee$607Board of NursingInitial license, renewal and restoration. Effective July 1, 2022
License by endorsement or reciprocity$1867Board of NursingEndorsement total (Application, License, Compliance Resolution Fund, Center for Nurse Fee). License by endorsement issued July 1 even year - June 30 odd year (applies to licenses issued July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027)
License by endorsement or reciprocity$2547Board of NursingEndorsement total (Application, License, Compliance Resolution Fund, 1/2 Renewal, Center for Nurse Fee). License by endorsement issued July 1 odd year - June 30 even year
Temporary license or permit$508Board of NursingTemporary nursing permit only. Not refundable
Temporary license or permit$2369Board of NursingCombined application, permit issued July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027. Not refundable. Effective July 1, 2026
Temporary license or permit$3049Board of NursingCombined application, permit issued July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 (past period). Not refundable
Inactive and reactivation fee$123Board of NursingRenewing in inactive status / reactivation
Exam fee$3505NCSBN (NCLEX registration)NCLEX registrations made on or after Feb. 1, 2027 (including retakes). Effective February 1, 2027
Dishonored payment service charge$257Board of NursingPayment dishonored by the bank

Each line is a separate charge, except the line “License by endorsement or reciprocity”, which is the board’s own combined figure for other charges; do not add it to the other lines.

How to apply

  1. Have your nursing program send your official transcript (or completion letter) directly to the Board; foreign graduates arrange a Board-approved credentials evaluation.2
  2. Get electronic fingerprints at Fieldprint using code FPHIBrdNursing, and file the application within 30 days.2
  3. Apply online on MyPVL (RN Online License Digitized Application) or mail the current paper form with copies of your photo ID and signed Social Security card and the $40 non-refundable fee.2
  4. Once the Board finds you eligible, register for and pass the NCLEX-RN, then pay the license fees due after passing.2
Temporary or provisional license
Out-of-state nurses employed by a Hawaii health care entity can get a temporary permit ($50); a valid license from another state, territory or country is required, so new graduates are not eligible.8
Processing time
Exam eligibility: allow 3-4 weeks; endorsement: normally 15-20 working days.2

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years2
When it expires
All RN licenses expire June 30 of each odd-numbered year; renew on MyPVL (next deadline June 30, 2027).2
Renewal fee
$1963 (Biennial on-time renewal, active status (renewal $36 + biennial CRF $100 + Center for Nursing $60))
Continuing education
At least 30 hours each renewal period4
Required topics
Complete exactly one learning activity option per biennium; options cannot be combined.4
Option 4: 120 hours as a preceptor; Option 3: 2 semester credits of post-licensure academic education; refresher course 60 h didactic + 60 h clinical.4
Approved courses
CE must come from approved sources listed in the manual (e.g. nationally accredited nursing schools, accredited providers).4
Exemptions
Exempt: RNs with a current board-recognized national certification; RNs also holding an active APRN license with national certification; graduates within 12 months of first renewal. Graduates more than 12 months but less than two years before first renewal need 15 contact hours or an alternative.10
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $303 (in addition to renewal costs; total shown by the board for RN active status is $226)
If it expires
Unrenewed licenses are forfeited on June 30 of the odd year; they may be restored within 2 years (fingerprints and continuing competency required); after 2 years the nurse reapplies as a new applicant.11

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Hawaii Registered Nurse (RN) license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Hawaii with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of Nursing publishes for the Registered Nurse (RN) license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
RNs licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction apply for a license without examination: verification of license from the original state (Nursys accepted), NPDB self-query, fingerprints; foreign-educated nurses must have passed the NCLEX-RN or SBTPE.1
Conditions
Graduates of non-U.S. programs licensed elsewhere must have passed the NCLEX-RN (or SBTPE, Canada).1
Fee
$1867
Route
Temporary license or permit
What the board says
Nurse with a valid, unencumbered RN license in another state, territory or country and a job with a single Hawaii health care entity may get a one-time temporary permit for that employer ($50, employer certification, Nursys or license verification).1
Fee
$508
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Active-duty service members or spouses on PCS orders to Hawaii with a license actively used in the prior two years and in good standing get a temporary license for the length of the service member's Hawaii assignment; RN fee $254 or $186 depending on issue date.6
Fee
$1866
Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
Hawaii is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state: it is absent from the NLC jurisdiction list, so multistate licenses from other states do not authorize practice in Hawaii.12

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • February 1, 2027: NCLEX registration fee rises to $350 (U.S.) for registrations on or after Feb. 1, 2027.5

Common questions

Can I transfer my registered nurse license to Hawaii?

The Board of Nursing publishes these routes for the Registered Nurse (RN) license: license by endorsement1 and temporary license or permit1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Registered Nurse (RN) license in Hawaii?

Every 2 years2. Continuing education: at least 30 hours4. The renewal fee is $1963.

Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. HAR Title 16 Chapter 89 NursesHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Board of NursingDated September 6, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
  2. RN/LPN License by Examination Requirements and ApplicationHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  3. HAR Title 16 Chapter 53 Fees (Oct 2016)Department of Commerce and Consumer AffairsDated October 10, 2016Checked November 7, 2026
  4. Continuing Competency Manual 2025-2027Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Application Forms, Requirements, Fees and InstructionsHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Temporary Military Spouse license applicationHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  7. RN Requirements and License Application Form (endorsement or without exam)Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  8. RN/LPN Temporary Nursing Permit Instructions and Application FormHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  9. RN/LPN Combined Temporary Nursing Permit + License By EndorsementHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  10. HRS 457-9.2 Continuing competencyHawaii State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  11. Board of NursingHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  12. NLC Map PDFNurse Licensure Compact (NCSBN-administered)Dated September 6, 2023Checked November 7, 2026