Hawaii Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide
Every state and territory in the U.S. is responsible for enforcing a set of laws, known as their Nurse Practice Act, that promotes safe and competent nursing care. In Hawaii, Nurse Practice Act (NPA) provisions are overseen by the state’s Board of Nursing (BON). This gives the BON the authority to hold nursing professionals accountable for the care that they deliver and penalize any nurses who pose a danger to patients and the public.
As a facility leader, understanding your state’s NPA is crucial for promoting quality care and maintaining professional integrity among your care teams. In this article, we’ll summarize key provisions of the Hawaii NPA and share tips on how to apply them to promote a culture of safety at your facility.
Hawaii State Nurse Practice Act at a Glance
Nursing licensure requirements, scope of practice guidelines, and delegation rules can all be found in the Nurse Practice Act. Hawaii nursing professionals are responsible for learning and adhering to all rules and regulations in the NPA to ensure they’re fully qualified to carry out their roles. As a facility leader, you can enforce protocols that support compliance by staying up-to-date on some of the key provisions summarized below.
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| Hawaii Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations | Hawaii Revised Statutes, Volume 10, Chapter 457:
Hawaii Administrative Rules: |
| Nursing Licensure Requirements | To obtain a registered nurse (RN) license in Hawaii, applicants must either pass the NCLEX examination or submit an endorsement application to the BON.
Steps to receive licensure by examination:
Steps to receive licensure by endorsement:
More information about license renewal processes can be found on the Hawaii BON website. |
| Scope of Practice Guidelines | According to sections 457-2.5 through 457-2.7, RNs, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) should reference the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) model NPA and model rules to determine which duties fall inside and outside of their scope of practice. The sections of the model NPA and rules that apply to each level of nursing are outlined below.
LPN scope of practice:
RN scope of practice:
APRN scope of practice:
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| Delegation Rules | Delegation and supervision rules for nursing professionals are outlined in section 457-7.5 of the NPA. Here is a summary of some of the key rules to keep in mind:
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| Violations and Penalties | Penalties and violations are outlined in section 457.14 of the NPA. Examples of violations include but are not limited to:
Any of these misdemeanors or violations of the NPA can result in a fine of up to $500, with each subsequent offense resulting in a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to 1 year. The BON can also impose other penalties, such as license suspension and revocation, on a case-by-case basis. |
| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Hawaii is not currently part of the NLC, meaning that:
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Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities
With this overview of the Hawaii Nurse Practice Act, you’re probably wondering how to take steps to ensure your staff are meeting all professional standards. Here are three tips that can help you better enforce these provisions at your facility.
1. Remain Adaptable to Regulatory Changes
The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and the NPA is often updated to reflect new advancements in nursing practice. It’s important to stay up-to-date on amendments to Hawaii’s NPA and remain adaptable to any changes that must be implemented at your facility. You can stay informed of any pertinent news affecting your staff through the BON’s website.
2. Thoroughly Screen and Vet All Nursing Candidates
The Hawaii Nurse Practice Act prohibits individuals from practicing nursing without valid credentials and training. To avoid legal repercussions and keep your patients safe, it’s important to thoroughly screen and vet all candidates during the hiring process. In addition to watching out for resume red flags, you can request an official license verification from all of your nursing candidates. Any suspicious behavior should be reported to the Hawaii BON in a timely manner.
3. Send out Regular Licensure Renewal Reminders
You should also regularly remind your staff to renew their licenses before they expire. In Hawaii, nursing licenses must be renewed on June 30th of every odd-numbered year. All nursing professionals must also keep up with the state’s continuing education requirements in order to renew their licenses. You can find more information about these competency requirements in Hawaii’s continuing competency guidance booklet.
Discover More Ways to Maintain Regulatory Compliance
Learning about the Hawaii Nurse Practice Act is one of many ways to help your staff maintain compliance. Seeking a practical way to keep up with other regulations? Get even more expert-written insights into facility management and nursing practice delivered straight to your inbox.
Legal Disclaimer: This article contains general legal information, but it is not intended to constitute professional legal advice for any particular situation and should not be relied on as professional legal advice. Any references to the law may not be current, as laws regularly change through updates in legislation, regulation, and case law at the federal and state level. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship. If you have legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.