Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Hawaii
2026 data Hawaii board official source

Hawaii Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides basic patient care under supervision. Requires NCLEX-PN exam.

What the Hawaii data shows for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s

Becoming a licensed licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Hawaii means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,395 training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-PN, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Hawaii regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $174, with renewal running $129 on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, licensed practical nurse (lpn)s should know: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
48/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Hawaii

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,395 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$174
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$65/yr
$129 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Hawaii

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,395 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$174
Renewal Fee
$129
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) All Hawaii licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Hawaii licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Hawaii? ▼
Hawaii's requirements cover 1395 hours of education or training, the NCLEX-PN exam, and an initial fee of $174. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Hawaii? ▼
Hawaii licenses licensed practical nurse (lpn)s who complete its requirements (1395 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Hawaii licensing board.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to Hawaii from another state? ▼
For licensed practical nurse (lpn)s, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Hawaii licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Hawaii require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
Hawaii does require a background check before issuing a licensed practical nurse (lpn) license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Hawaii? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Hawaii, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $129.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed practical nurse (lpn) license

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Hawaii, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed practical nurse (lpn)-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Hawaii's licensed practical nurse (lpn) requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state licensed practical nurse (lpn) license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Hawaii's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Hawaii overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Hawaii licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.