LPN Requirements in Hawaii 2026
To become a licensed practical nurse in Hawaii, complete a state-approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and apply for licensure through the Hawaii Board of Nursing. Program options are limited to University of Hawaii community college campuses on Oahu, the Big Island, and Kauai. Most candidates complete the full process in about 14 to 16 months.
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Hawaii’s LPN licensing process follows the same three-step structure as most states, but the details matter here more than in most. The state has a small number of approved programs, all within the University of Hawaii community college system, and the Hawaii Board of Nursing requires fingerprinting and a criminal background check before it will issue a license. Knowing what’s required before you apply prevents delays.
Use the links below to jump to LPN licensing steps, program options, work settings, and salary data for Hawaii.
- How to become an LPN in Hawaii
- LPN programs in Hawaii
- Where Hawaii LPNs work
- LPN salary and job outlook in Hawaii
How to Become an LPN in Hawaii
The Hawaii Board of Nursing licenses all practical nurses in the state. The path to licensure runs through three stages: completing an approved program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and submitting a complete application to the board.
Step 1: Complete a State-Approved Practical Nursing Program
Hawaii requires candidates to graduate from a practical nursing program approved by the Hawaii Board of Nursing. All currently approved programs are part of the University of Hawaii community college system. Programs typically run about 12 to 18 months, combining classroom coursework with supervised clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities.
Admission is competitive. Most programs require a high school diploma or GED, prerequisite science coursework, a passing entrance exam score (TEAS or HESI), current CPR/BLS certification, a background check, and up-to-date immunizations. Review each program’s specific requirements, as they vary by campus.
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-PN
After graduating from an approved program, candidates register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. The exam tests clinical knowledge and nursing judgment at the practical nurse level. Hawaii doesn’t administer the exam independently. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing sets the standards, and Pearson VUE manages scheduling and testing sites nationally.
Step 3: Apply for Licensure Through the Hawaii Board of Nursing
With a passing NCLEX-PN score in hand, candidates submit a licensure application to the Hawaii Board of Nursing. The application includes proof of program completion, exam results, a criminal background check, and electronic fingerprinting. The board reviews each application individually before issuing a license.
License Renewal and Continuing Competency
Hawaii LPNs must meet continuing competency requirements to renew their license. The state put these requirements in place to ensure practicing nurses maintain current clinical knowledge. Contact the Hawaii Board of Nursing directly for current renewal cycle dates, continuing education hour requirements, and approved CE providers, as these details can change between renewal periods.
LPN Programs in Hawaii
Hawaii’s approved practical nursing programs are concentrated within the University of Hawaii system. Island geography plays a real role in access. Programs are tied to specific campuses, and clinical placements are matched to healthcare facilities nearby.
University of Hawaiʻi Kapiʻolani Community College in Honolulu is the largest and most established LPN program in the state. Starting in Fall 2024, the program expanded to also run at Leeward Community College (LCC) to accommodate growing enrollment. The program leads to a Certificate of Achievement in Practical Nursing after completing approximately 44 to 46 credit hours of nursing and general education coursework. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN and enter practice at the LPN level.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo / Hawaiʻi Community College on the Big Island offers a practical nursing certificate program. The Hilo campus primarily serves students in Hawaii County, where LPN employment is concentrated around long-term care and extended care facilities in the Hilo area.
Kauai Community College in Līhuʻe offers a practical nursing program for students on Kauai. Program availability and enrollment status can change, so confirm directly with the college before applying.
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College in Kahului has an approved practical nursing program serving students on Maui. The campus has also partnered with the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi on a CNA-to-LPN bridge initiative designed to help working healthcare aides advance to licensed practical nurse status without leaving their jobs. Students interested in that pathway can find Hawaii CNA certification requirements on this site.
No fully online LPN programs are currently approved in Hawaii. All programs require in-person attendance for lectures, lab work, and clinical rotations. The island’s geography limits clinical placement options, so programs are closely tied to local facilities.
For current enrollment details, tuition, and admission timelines, see the full list of approved practical nursing programs in Hawaii.
Where Hawaii LPNs Work
LPN employment in Hawaii is concentrated in long-term care and community-based settings. Nursing homes and extended care facilities are the primary employers, particularly on the Neighbor Islands. According to the Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing’s 2023 Nursing Workforce Supply Report, more than 40% of Hawaiʻi’s LPNs work on the Neighbor Islands. LPNs are underrepresented in Honolulu County relative to its share of the overall nursing workforce, and overrepresented in Hawaiʻi and Maui Counties, a pattern driven by where long-term care and extended care facilities are concentrated.
Work settings across the state include nursing homes, physician offices, ambulatory care clinics, home health agencies, hospitals, dialysis clinics, hospice programs, school health settings, and assisted living facilities. The share of LPN positions in hospital settings has been trending lower over time as acute care facilities shift toward higher-credentialed staff for the increasingly complex patient populations they serve.
Gerontology is the most common clinical specialty among Hawaii LPNs, reflecting the high concentration of long-term care employment. Family health, adult health, acute care, and pediatrics are also frequently reported specialties. A portion of the workforce also practices in home health, nephrology, perioperative care, school health, and palliative care and hospice settings.
LPN Salary and Job Outlook in Hawaii
Hawaii LPNs earn above the national median. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Hawaii was $71,140 as of May 2025, compared to the national median of $64,400 for the same period.
| Hawaii LPN Wages | Annual |
|---|---|
| Median wage | $71,140 |
| Mean wage | $71,560 |
| 75th percentile | $75,250 |
| 90th percentile | $88,340 |
| National LPN Wages | Annual |
|---|---|
| Median wage | $64,400 |
| Mean wage | $67,050 |
| 75th percentile | $76,030 |
| 90th percentile | $83,440 |
Hawaii’s cost of living runs well above the national average, so the salary premium doesn’t translate directly into greater purchasing power. That said, the gap between Hawaii LPN wages and the national median is about $6,700, which is consistent with broader healthcare wage patterns in the state.
On the employment side, Projections Central estimates 8.3% job growth for LPNs in Hawaii between 2022 and 2032, rising from 780 to approximately 850 positions. That works out to about 70 average annual job openings over the decade, reflecting both new positions and replacement demand as the current LPN workforce retires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPN in Hawaii?
Most candidates complete the process in 14 to 16 months. Approved practical nursing programs run about 12 to 18 months, and the licensing application, fingerprinting, and NCLEX-PN registration add a few weeks after graduation. Program admission is competitive, so factor in application timelines and waitlists when planning your start date.
Does Hawaii have many LPN programs?
No. Hawaii has four approved LPN programs, all within the University of Hawaii community college system: Kapiʻolani Community College in Honolulu (with a satellite site at Leeward CC), Hawaiʻi Community College in Hilo, Kauai Community College in Līhuʻe, and UH Maui College in Kahului. No fully online LPN programs are approved in the state.
Can an LPN from another state work in Hawaii?
Hawaii is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so LPNs licensed in other states can’t practice in Hawaii on their home-state license. Out-of-state LPNs must apply for licensure by endorsement through the Hawaii Board of Nursing and meet all state-specific requirements, including background check and fingerprinting.
What settings hire LPNs in Hawaii?
Long-term care facilities are the largest employers of LPNs in Hawaii, particularly on the Neighbor Islands. Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, physician offices, dialysis clinics, and community health settings all hire LPNs. Hospital LPN positions are less common in Hawaii than in many other states, as Honolulu-area acute care facilities tend to hire at higher credential levels.
What is the Hawaii Board of Nursing?
The Hawaii Board of Nursing is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating nurses in Hawaii, including LPNs. It approves prelicensure programs, sets eligibility requirements for licensure, processes applications, and handles renewals and disciplinary matters. The board operates under the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
- Three steps to licensure — Complete a state-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit a full application to the Hawaii Board of Nursing, including fingerprinting and a background check.
- Four UH system programs — All approved LPN programs in Hawaii are within the University of Hawaii community college system: Kapiʻolani CC (Oahu), Hawaiʻi CC (Hilo), Kauai CC, and UH Maui College.
- No Nurse Licensure Compact — Hawaii is not an NLC member state. LPNs from other states must apply for endorsement before practicing in Hawaii.
- Above-national median pay — Hawaii LPNs earned a median annual wage of $71,140 as of May 2025 (BLS), compared to $64,400 nationally.
- Long-term care drives hiring — Nursing homes and extended care facilities are the primary LPN employers in Hawaii, especially outside Honolulu.
Use the tool below to find LPN programs in Hawaii, compare application requirements, and check program availability by island.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.