Returning to Nursing in Hawaii

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Hawaii Board of Nursing · 2026-06-22

The Hawaii RN reinstatement fee is $226, plus any back renewal fees. What else your return takes depends on how long the license has been lapsed: short lapses are paperwork and CE, long ones can add a refresher course.

Grace period: No formal grace period; licenses that are not renewed by June 30 become inactive and the nurse must not practice until the license is restored

What your lapse length means in Hawaii

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Hawaii: $226) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Hawaii: $226) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Hawaii: $226) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Reinstating usually means catching up on continuing education. Earn it cheaply: free CE in Hawaii.

Refresher course rules in Hawaii

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Hawaii works on a restoration window: a forfeited license can be restored within 2 years of expiration. After 2 years, the license terminates and you reapply as a new applicant.
What it takes: Restoration requires continuing-competency proof (one learning-activity option from the board's continuing-competency list) plus electronic fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
Re-examination: Re-examination can apply when there is no documented practice in Hawaii or another US state within the past 5 years; confirm your case with the board.

Source: Hawaii Board of Nursing (DCCA), last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Hawaii

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.
2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.
3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.
4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.
5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).
6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Start at the source: Hawaii Board of Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Hawaii reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Hawaii?: The Hawaii RN reinstatement fee is $226, plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Hawaii Board of Nursing before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Hawaii nursing license?: Hawaii works on a restoration window: a forfeited license can be restored within 2 years of expiration. After 2 years, the license terminates and you reapply as a new applicant. Restoration requires continuing-competency proof (one learning-activity option from the board's continuing-competency list) plus electronic fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Hawaii license back?: Re-examination can apply when there is no documented practice in Hawaii or another US state within the past 5 years; confirm your case with the board.
Is there a grace period after my Hawaii license expires?: Hawaii's published rule: No formal grace period; licenses that are not renewed by June 30 become inactive and the nurse must not practice until the license is restored. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Hawaii license reinstatement take?: Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Hawaii Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Inactive vs lapsed: which path costs less

CE requirements for returning nurses

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Returning to Nursing in Hawaii

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Hawaii Board of Nursing · 2026-06-22

Grace period: No formal grace period; licenses that are not renewed by June 30 become inactive and the nurse must not practice until the license is restored

What your lapse length means in Hawaii

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Hawaii: $226) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Hawaii: $226) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Hawaii: $226) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Reinstating usually means catching up on continuing education. Earn it cheaply: free CE in Hawaii.

Refresher course rules in Hawaii

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Hawaii works on a restoration window: a forfeited license can be restored within 2 years of expiration. After 2 years, the license terminates and you reapply as a new applicant.
What it takes: Restoration requires continuing-competency proof (one learning-activity option from the board's continuing-competency list) plus electronic fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
Re-examination: Re-examination can apply when there is no documented practice in Hawaii or another US state within the past 5 years; confirm your case with the board.

Source: Hawaii Board of Nursing (DCCA), last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Hawaii

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.

2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.

3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.

4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.

5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).

6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Hawaii reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Hawaii?

The Hawaii RN reinstatement fee is $226, plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Hawaii Board of Nursing before applying.

Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Hawaii nursing license?

Hawaii works on a restoration window: a forfeited license can be restored within 2 years of expiration. After 2 years, the license terminates and you reapply as a new applicant. Restoration requires continuing-competency proof (one learning-activity option from the board's continuing-competency list) plus electronic fingerprinting and a criminal background check.

Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Hawaii license back?

Re-examination can apply when there is no documented practice in Hawaii or another US state within the past 5 years; confirm your case with the board.

Is there a grace period after my Hawaii license expires?

Hawaii's published rule: No formal grace period; licenses that are not renewed by June 30 become inactive and the nurse must not practice until the license is restored. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.

How long does Hawaii license reinstatement take?

Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Hawaii Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Returning to Nursing in Hawaii

What your lapse length means in Hawaii

Refresher course rules in Hawaii

Steps to reinstate in Hawaii

Hawaii reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Hawaii nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free

Returning to Nursing in Hawaii

What your lapse length means in Hawaii

Refresher course rules in Hawaii

Steps to reinstate in Hawaii

Hawaii reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Hawaii nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free