Hawaii Nursing Continuing Education Requirements
Hawaii continuing competency and caregiver training requirements vary by profession and work setting. Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) generally renew by June 30 of each odd-numbered year. Unless exempt, each nurse must complete one approved continuing competency activity during the two-year renewal period. Completing 30 contact hours of continuing education is one available option, although nurses may also qualify through another recognized activity, such as national certification, post-licensure nursing education, precepting, a refresher course, or an approved nursing project.
The Hawaii Board of Nursing specifically states that continuing education courses approved by the Florida Board of Nursing are acceptable. C-E-U.com is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing as Provider #50-47308, so qualifying C-E-U.com nursing courses may be used toward Hawaii’s 30-contact-hour continuing education option. Courses must be related to nursing practice or healthcare, and a nurse choosing the CE option must complete the full 30 contact hours rather than combining partial hours with another competency option. Official Hawaii Board of Nursing Continuing Competency Booklet:
Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs), home health aides, personal care aides, residential care staff, and other direct-care professionals have separate training and competency requirements based on their role, employer, and care setting. C-E-U.com courses may support applicable annual in-service, dementia, safety, infection-control, and employer-required caregiver training when accepted by the responsible employer, facility, agency, or program.
Hawaii CE Requirements at a Glance
| RN | LPN | CNA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required CE or Training | 30 contact hours as one continuing competency option | 30 contact hours as one continuing competency option | 12 hours of annual in-service training in covered nursing facilities |
| Renewal Period | Every 2 years | Every 2 years | Certification every 2 years; in-service annually |
| Governing Body | Hawaii Board of Nursing | Hawaii Board of Nursing | Hawaii Nurse Aide Program / CMS |
| Additional Requirements | Must complete one full approved competency option | Must complete one full approved competency option | Registry renewal also requires qualifying paid nurse-aide work |
Hawaii RN and LPN Continuing Competency Requirements
Hawaii Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses generally renew their licenses by June 30 of each odd-numbered year. Unless exempt, nurses must complete one Board-recognized continuing competency activity during each two-year renewal period.
Completing 30 contact hours of continuing education is one available option. Nurses choosing the continuing education pathway must complete the full 30 contact hours and may not combine partial CE hours with another competency option.
Complete 30 contact hours of General/Elective CE Contact Hours
Completing 30 contact hours of continuing education is one available option.
Hawaii CNA Renewal and In-Service Training
Hawaii Certified Nurse Aides renew their certification every two years, but the requirements vary by work setting. CNAs working in Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facilities must complete an annual performance review, regular facility-provided in-service training based on that review, and qualifying paid nurse-aide work during the previous 24 months.
Federal nursing-facility rules require at least 12 hours of CNA in-service training each year, including dementia management and resident abuse-prevention education. C-E-U.com courses may support a facility’s in-service training program when accepted by the employer, but online education alone does not satisfy Hawaii’s employment, performance-review, competency, or renewal requirements.
12 hours of in-service training each year
The 12-hour minimum and required subject areas come from federal nursing-facility standards, while Hawaii separately regulates CNA recertification and work requirements.
Hawaii Home Health Aide In-Service Training
Hawaii home health aides and other direct-care workers may have additional orientation, in-service, competency, or employer-required training based on their care setting. Learners should confirm applicable requirements and course acceptance with their employer, agency, facility, or regulatory authority.
General/Elective CE Contact Hours
Completing 30 contact hours of continuing education is one available option.
Hawaii Nursing Resources and References
Hawaii Board of Nursing
https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/nursing/
Hawaii Board of Nursing — Continuing Competency Requirements
https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/nursing/continuing-competency-requirement/
Hawaii Nursing Continuing Competency Booklet — 2025–2027
https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PVL_Resource_Nursing_Continuing_Competency_-Booklet_2026-04.pdf
The current booklet explains Hawaii’s approved continuing competency options, the 30-contact-hour CE pathway, eligible course topics, documentation requirements, audits, and renewal deadlines. It specifically states that CE courses approved by the Florida Board of Nursing are acceptable.
Hawaii Board of Nursing — Applications and Publications
https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/nursing/application_publications/
Hawaii Nursing Statutes and Administrative Rules
https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/nursing/statute_rules/
Hawaii MyPVL License Renewal and Management Portal
https://mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov/
Hawaii Professional License Search
https://mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov/public-license-search/
Hawaii Nurse Aide Program
https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/programs/nurse/
Hawaii CNA Registry, Testing, and Recertification — Prometric
https://www.prometric.com/exams/nurseaide-hi/
Hawaii Nurse Aide Administrative Rules — Chapter 16-89A
https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/har_89a-c1.pdf
Federal Nursing-Facility CNA In-Service Training Requirements
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-B/section-483.95
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Frequently Asked Questions: Hawaii Nursing CE
Hawaii RNs must complete one approved continuing competency activity during each two-year renewal period. Completing 30 contact hours of continuing education is one available option.
Nurses who choose the CE pathway must complete the full 30 contact hours rather than combining partial CE hours with another competency option. Qualifying C-E-U.com courses may be used because Hawaii recognizes continuing education approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Hawaii LPNs must complete one approved continuing competency activity during each two-year renewal period. Completing 30 contact hours of continuing education is one available option.
LPNs who choose the continuing education pathway must complete the full 30 contact hours rather than combining partial CE hours with another competency option. Qualifying C-E-U.com courses may be used because Hawaii accepts continuing education approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Hawaii does not require specific CE topics for general RN or LPN license renewal. Nurses who choose the 30-contact-hour continuing education option may select courses related to nursing practice or healthcare that strengthen professional knowledge, judgment, or clinical skills.
Employment orientation, facility-specific policies, personal-development courses, programs designed for the general public, and certifications such as BLS, ACLS, and PALS do not qualify toward the continuing competency requirement.
C-E-U.com offers a wide variety of nursing-focused courses that may be used toward Hawaii’s 30-contact-hour option.
Hawaii nurses do not report completed continuing education through CE Broker. Instead, nurses attest to meeting the continuing competency requirement when renewing their licenses and must retain supporting documentation for at least four years.
The Hawaii Board of Nursing conducts random audits. Nurses selected for an audit must submit proof of completion within 60 days of receiving notice from the Board.
If a Hawaii nurse does not complete an approved continuing competency activity before the renewal deadline, the license cannot be renewed. Hawaii RN and LPN licenses expire on June 30 of each odd-numbered year.
A license that is not renewed by the deadline becomes forfeited, and the nurse may not practice until it has been restored to active status. Nurses generally have two years after forfeiture to restore the license and must meet the applicable continuing competency, application, and fee requirements.
After the two-year restoration period, additional relicensure requirements may apply.
Start Your Continuing Education Today!
Complete online continuing education and training at your own pace. Access practical courses, downloadable certificates, and eligible CE Broker reporting for one year.