Hawaii Registered Nurse

Hawaii nursing law requires continuing competency rather than a fixed CE count (HRS 457-9.3). Each RN must complete one learning activity option per biennium: (a) thirty contact hours of continuing education from board-recognized providers; (b) board-approved refresher course; (c) at least two semester credits of post-licensure nursing academic education; (d) one hundred twenty hours as a preceptor; (e) board pre-approved nursing research project; (f) authoring a peer-reviewed nursing article, book, or chapter; (g) developing and conducting a nursing education presentation of at least five contact hours; (h) board-recognized nurse residency program; or (i) current board-recognized national certification in the licensee's practice role. Options cannot be combined. Contact hour means sixty minutes of organized instruction; CE approved by another state board of nursing is not acceptable. Exemptions apply for nurses with a current board-recognized national certification, for recent graduates within twelve months of first renewal, and (partially) for graduates twelve to twenty-four months out (fifteen contact hours, one semester credit, or a nurse residency program). A licensee holding both LPN and RN licenses completes only one learning activity option to renew both. Records must be retained for at least four years or two prior bienniums; the board conducts random audits. BLS, ACLS, PALS, NALS, and instructor certifications do not satisfy the CE pathway. Criminal history record check via fingerprinting is required at initial renewal but is a one-time process.

CE courses from providers approved by these accreditors count toward your Hawaii Registered Nurse renewal requirements.