Overview
The Hawaii Board of Nursing is committed to working with licensees and the public to achieve the optimum balance between thoughtful and fair regulation, and consumer protection. The Hawaii Board of Nursing works toward efficient and expedient processing of applications, licenses, and renewals to ensure the public has choices amongst competent, licensed practitioners.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) & Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure by Examination
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Submit a completed application along with the $40 non-refundable application fee and any required official documents to:
Hawaii Board of Nursing
DCCA, PVL Licensing
P.O.Box 3469
Honolulu, Hawaii 96801
OR
Deliver to office location at:
335 Merchant St., Rm. 301
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 586-3000
- Type or print legibly in dark ink.
- Answer all applicable questions.
- Application must be signed. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned for completion. Applications are kept on file for two (2) years. Failure to complete the licensing requirements within two (2) years will void your application, and you will be required to re-file an application and fee.
Note: Applications for RN and PN license are considered separate applications. You must submit official documents and fees for each application. If you have been granted one type of nurse license and are now applying for the other type of nurse license, you must attach copies of your official documents, or if applicable, have transcripts sent directly to the Board. Copies of documents will not be made from the former application.
- Your social security number is used to verify your identity for licensing purposes and for compliance with the below laws. For a license to be issued you must provide your social security number or your application will be deemed deficient and will not be processed further.
- U.S. GRADUATES: If you have just graduated or will be graduating soon, have your nursing school send the following directly to the Board:
- An official final transcript verifying degree conferred or
- An official letter from your school certifying the successful completion of your nursing program which must be received in the Board’s office first in order to be deemed eligible to sit for the exam. (An official final transcript verifying degree conferred must follow and be received prior to licensure.)
- FOREIGN GRADUATES: Each foreign school graduate must have successfully completed a nursing program which is equivalent to U.S. nursing education standards. This is accomplished by having your nursing school transcripts evaluated by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). You are to arrange with the CGFNS to have one of the following reports prepared for you:
- Credentials Evaluation Service (CES): Full Education Course-by-Course Report. English competency or CGFNS examination required OR
- Certification program (CEP): It includes an English competency exam, the CGFNS exam and an education credentials evaluation.
- Once you have completed the evaluation process, your report will be accessed online provided it was done within one (1) year of filing your application with the Board. You are required to provide your CGFNS ID to the Board in order for the Board to be able to access your report.
- If you have completed the evaluation over one (1) year prior to filing your application with the Board, you must submit a copy of your report.
- Applications will be accepted on a year-round basis. There will be no specific filing deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to file their application early, to allow sufficient time for evaluation.
- After a completed application and fee are received, your eligibility for examination will be determined by the Board.
- Eligible candidates will be mailed an NCLEX/CAT Candidate Bulletin and registration form. You must then register for the examination directly with Pearson Vue Professional Testing.
- Once the NCLEX/CAT Data Center has processed your registration and verified your eligibility with the Board of Nursing, you will be mailed an Authorization To Test along with a list of Testing Centers.
- Select and call the Pearson Professional Center of your choice to schedule your appointment to take the test. You do not have to take the NCLEX in the same jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure.
Fees
Attach appropriate amount made payable to: COMMERCE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS. (Check must be in U.S. dollars and be from a U.S. financial institution.)
- Initial Application Fee For Registered Nurses – $40.00
- Initial Application Fee for Practical Nurses – $40.00
Note: The application fee is not refundable.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) & Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure by Endorsement
Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:
- Successful completion of ONE of the following is required:
- The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) in another state or U.S. jurisdiction; having passed or received a score of at least 1600 for RN, or 350 for LPN; OR
- The SBTPE (State Board Test Pool Exam) in another state or Canadian province (prior to 1970); having passed or received a score of at least 350 in each part; OR
- A state board constructed exam prior to the inception of the SBTPE in that jurisdiction.
NOTE: CANADIAN NURSES – CNATE IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE HAWAII BOARD OF NURSING
- Must be a graduate of an accredited board-recognized baccalaureate, associate degree or hospital nursing program in the United States or U.S. jurisdiction whose curriculum is approved by the Hawaii Board of Nursing or other state boards of nursing.
- Foreign school graduates who are licensed in another state or U.S. jurisdiction are not required to have their educational credentials evaluated by a professional evaluator. However, the original state or U.S. jurisdiction board of nursing must approve/recognize that the nursing program from which the nurse has graduated is equivalent to a U.S. Accredited Nursing Education Program. This APPROVAL/RECOGNITION must be so indicated on the attached State of Hawaii License Verification form or equivalent form.
NOTE: If this approval/recognition is not indicated, you may be required to have your educational credentials evaluated by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).
- Submit a completed application.
- Type or print legibly in dark ink.
- Answer all questions. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
- Application must be signed. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned for completion. Failure to provide all the requested information will delay the processing of your application.
- Your social security number is used to verify your identity for licensing purposes and for compliance with the below laws. For a license to be issued you must provide your social security number or your application will be deemed deficient and will not be processed further.
- Verification of your exam scores, educational credentials and out-of-state licensure must be completed. Send your request to the state/territory board of nursing of ORIGINAL LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION with the appropriate service fee that the originating board requires. Please verify with the respective state board for fee information
- PROVIDE DATE YOU REQUESTED A LICENSE VERIFICATION FROM YOUR ORIGINAL STATE (see application).
- If your state uses NURSYS to verify their licenses, you must contact the National Council via their website and request a verification of your license.
- License verifications are valid for one year only. If no Hawaii nurse application is received within that 1 year, a new verification of license will be required.
Fees
Attach appropriate amount made payable to: COMMERCE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS. (Check must be in U.S. dollars and be from a U.S. financial institution.)
- If license will be issued between JULY 1, ODD-NUMBERED years (2011, 2013, 2015) and JUNE 30, EVEN-NUMBERED years (2012, 2014, 2016), pay $202.00 (Application-$40, License-$24, Compliance Resolution Fund -$86, 1/2 Renewal-$12, Center for Nurse Fee -$40)
- If license will be issued between JULY 1, EVEN-NUMBERED years (2010, 2012, 2014) and JUNE 30, ODD-NUMBERED years (2011, 2013, 2015), pay $146.00 (Application -$40, License-$24, Compliance Resolution Fund -$42, Center for Nurse Fee-$40)
For more information visit the official Hawaii Board of Nursing website.
References:
http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/nursing/application_publications/