StateLicensed

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in Hawaii

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
100 hrs
Upfront cost
$225
Exam
Written (Knowledge) Test, Clinical Skills Test
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) — Nurse Aide Program

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Hawaii Administrative Rules §16-89A-5 lists 'verification that the nurse aide is at least eighteen years of age' among the registry's required data fields, indicating an 18+ requirement to be entered on the registry. A criminal history background check is required for direct patient access employees at healthcare facilities under HRS §§321-15.2, 346-97, and 846-2.7, covering criminal history, abuse/neglect registries, and the sex offender registry. [4]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 100 hours of training (including 70 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. 100 total hours minimum: at least 30 classroom hours plus 70 hours of supervised practical (clinical) training, per Hawaii Administrative Rules §17-1444-4 (Department of Human Services). At least 16 of the classroom hours must be completed before any direct contact with residents. Within the 70 clinical hours: basic nursing skills must be taught/supervised by an RN for a minimum of 30 hours, basic personal care skills by an LPN under RN supervision for a minimum of 30 hours, and basic restorative services by a licensed/certified therapist under RN supervision for a minimum of 10 hours. [1]

  3. 3

    Written (Knowledge) Test

    Pass the Written (Knowledge) Test (fee: $50). 60 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes; an Oral version (headset, questions read aloud, English only) is available for $60 instead of $50. Must be taken with the Clinical Skills Test within three attempts and within two years of the first test date. A one-time, nonrefundable $25 Initial Application Processing Fee also applies (see fees). Combined Clinical Skills + Written pricing is $200 ($210 with Oral). [2]

  4. 4

    Clinical Skills Test

    Pass the Clinical Skills Test (fee: $150). Timed, hands-on demonstration of 5 randomly assigned skills (including Handwashing and Indirect Care), 31-40 minutes depending on skills assigned; all 5 skills must be passed. Same 3-attempt / 2-year window as the Written Test. Rescheduling within 5 business days of the appointment forfeits the full fee; rescheduling with more notice costs $25. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) — Nurse Aide Program with the $25 application fee. [2]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) — Nurse Aide Program issues your Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) for Hawaii.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $25
License fee [2] None specified
Renewal fee [2] $25
Written (Knowledge) Test [2] $50
Clinical Skills Test [2] $150
Reciprocity Fee (out-of-state transfer) [2] $25
Duplicate Score Report [2] $15
Duplicate Certificate [2] $15

No separate 'license' fee exists beyond the one-time, nonrefundable $25 Initial Application Processing Fee (application) charged with every route, and exam fees (see exams). If recertification is needed via the testing route rather than qualifying work hours, a $25 Recertification Fee applies (listed here as renewal).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Certification is valid up to 24 months and renewed biennially (Hawaii Administrative Rules §16-89A-4). For nurse aides in Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing facilities, renewal requires an annual facility performance review, facility-provided in-service training based on that review (no fixed statewide hour count is specified — set to null rather than guessed), a renewal application 30+ days before expiration, and verification of at least one full day (8 hours) of paid nursing/nursing-related direct patient care within the prior 24 months. If work-history renewal isn't met, retesting via the $25 Recertification Fee route is required.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Hawaii's Route 2 (Reciprocity/Out of State) lets a nurse aide certified in another state apply directly to Prometric with a copy of their current, active out-of-state CNA certificate; DCCA determines whether to add the applicant directly to the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry or require the Competency Exam. Prometric verifies the applicant's status with the other state's registry before granting reciprocity. A $25 Reciprocity Fee applies.

1 state-approved training provider in Hawaii — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $25
  • $50
  • $150
Total$225

Frequently asked questions

How many hours of CNA training does Hawaii require?

100 total hours: at least 30 classroom hours and 70 hours of supervised clinical/practical training, with at least 16 classroom hours completed before any direct contact with residents.

Who administers the Hawaii CNA exam?

Prometric, under contract with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). The exam has a Written (or Oral) Knowledge Test and a hands-on Clinical Skills Test.

How often do I need to renew my Hawaii CNA certification?

Every 24 months (biennially). Renewal generally requires documenting at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related direct patient care in that period, along with facility-based performance review and in-service training.

Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to Hawaii?

Yes. Under Route 2 (Reciprocity/Out of State), you submit a copy of your current, active out-of-state CNA certificate to Prometric; Hawaii DCCA will either add you directly to the registry or require you to take the Competency Exam, depending on your home state's status verification.

Sources

  1. [1] humanservices.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/17-1444-NATCEP1.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] prometric.com/sites/default/files/HI_CNA_CIB.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/har_89a-c2.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] health.hawaii.gov/ohca/home/how-to-obtain-a-background-check/ — accessed 2026-07-10