Getting a Hawaii nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

Endorsement timeline, fees & requirements · Verified 2026-06-18

Not published. The board notes only that an incomplete application triggers a mailed deficiency notice.

Hawaii endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Hawaii grants license by endorsement (licensure without exam) to an already-licensed out-of-state RN. Under a 2024 law you may apply for a temporary permit and the endorsement license together on a single application for one fee.
Processing time: Not published. The board notes only that an incomplete application triggers a mailed deficiency notice.
Work while waiting: Yes. A temporary permit is valid until you obtain a full license, but no longer than one year. You must have accepted employment with a single Hawaii health-care entity, and that employer must certify it directly.
Requirements: Nursys verification from the originating board (or a paper verification for non-Nursys states; QuickConfirm is not accepted), an FBI and state fingerprint check through Fieldprint, a certified NPDB self-query, and passage of the NCLEX. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: A single combined fee covers both the temporary permit and the endorsement license: $304 if issued July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, or $236 if issued July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Fingerprint costs are separate.
Compact rules: Hawaii is not a compact state, so a multistate license from elsewhere does not authorize Hawaii practice. You must obtain a Hawaii license by endorsement.
Military spouse: A temporary military spouse license is available online through MyPVL, valid for the duration of the active-duty member's service in Hawaii.

The combined temporary-permit and endorsement application is mail or in-person only; the standalone military-spouse license is the online path.

Source: Hawaii Board of Nursing, combined temporary permit and license by endorsement, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Hawaii

1Confirm you need a Hawaii license: Hawaii is not a compact state, so an out-of-state license will not cover you.
2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).
3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.
4Submit the Hawaii Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.
5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Start at the source: Hawaii Board of Nursing or the online licensing portal. Not sure if you even need to endorse? The compact eligibility quiz sorts compact privilege from a required license in two minutes.

Hawaii endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Hawaii nursing license by endorsement?: Not published. The board notes only that an incomplete application triggers a mailed deficiency notice.
Can I work in Hawaii while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. A temporary permit is valid until you obtain a full license, but no longer than one year. You must have accepted employment with a single Hawaii health-care entity, and that employer must certify it directly.
Do I need a Hawaii license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Hawaii is not a compact state, so a multistate license from elsewhere does not authorize Hawaii practice. You must obtain a Hawaii license by endorsement.
How much does Hawaii endorsement cost?: A single combined fee covers both the temporary permit and the endorsement license: $304 if issued July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, or $236 if issued July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Fingerprint costs are separate.

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Hawaii endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Hawaii grants license by endorsement (licensure without exam) to an already-licensed out-of-state RN. Under a 2024 law you may apply for a temporary permit and the endorsement license together on a single application for one fee.
Processing time: Not published. The board notes only that an incomplete application triggers a mailed deficiency notice.
Work while waiting: Yes. A temporary permit is valid until you obtain a full license, but no longer than one year. You must have accepted employment with a single Hawaii health-care entity, and that employer must certify it directly.
Requirements: Nursys verification from the originating board (or a paper verification for non-Nursys states; QuickConfirm is not accepted), an FBI and state fingerprint check through Fieldprint, a certified NPDB self-query, and passage of the NCLEX. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: A single combined fee covers both the temporary permit and the endorsement license: $304 if issued July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, or $236 if issued July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Fingerprint costs are separate.
Compact rules: Hawaii is not a compact state, so a multistate license from elsewhere does not authorize Hawaii practice. You must obtain a Hawaii license by endorsement.
Military spouse: A temporary military spouse license is available online through MyPVL, valid for the duration of the active-duty member's service in Hawaii.

The combined temporary-permit and endorsement application is mail or in-person only; the standalone military-spouse license is the online path.

Source: Hawaii Board of Nursing, combined temporary permit and license by endorsement, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Hawaii

1Confirm you need a Hawaii license: Hawaii is not a compact state, so an out-of-state license will not cover you.

2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).

3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.

4Submit the Hawaii Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.

5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Hawaii endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Hawaii nursing license by endorsement?

Not published. The board notes only that an incomplete application triggers a mailed deficiency notice.

Can I work in Hawaii while my endorsement application is processing?

Yes. A temporary permit is valid until you obtain a full license, but no longer than one year. You must have accepted employment with a single Hawaii health-care entity, and that employer must certify it directly.

Do I need a Hawaii license if I already hold a compact multistate license?

Hawaii is not a compact state, so a multistate license from elsewhere does not authorize Hawaii practice. You must obtain a Hawaii license by endorsement.

How much does Hawaii endorsement cost?

A single combined fee covers both the temporary permit and the endorsement license: $304 if issued July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, or $236 if issued July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Fingerprint costs are separate.