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CompactStates

Is a Hawaii RN license a compact (multistate) license?

Registered nurse is the most common credential the compact covers. Here is exactly what a Hawaii RN license is, and how to tell whether yours carries compact privilege.

Is a Hawaii RN license a compact license?

No. The compact does cover RN licenses, but Hawaii is not a compact state, so a Hawaii RN license is single-state — valid for practice in Hawaii only. It does not carry compact privilege to other states. If you hold a multistate RN license, it was issued by a different, compact home state.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

The act that defines RN practice in Hawaii

The compact decides whether you may practice in Hawaii. What RN practice actually means here — scope, titles, what you may do and delegate — is set by Hawaii’s own nurse practice act, HRS ch. 457 (Nurses), and interpreted by the Hawaii Board of Nursing. Two states can both recognize your license and still differ on what you may do with it.

How the compact treats RN licenses

The Nurse Licensure Compact covers RN licenses. In a compact state, a single multistate RN license lets you practice in every compact state; a single-state RN license is valid only where it was issued. Hawaii does not currently issue multistate RN licenses to its residents, so a Hawaii RN license is single-state.

Verifying your Hawaii RN license

The fastest check is Nursys QuickConfirm, which shows whether an RN license is single-state or multistate, its status, and its expiration. For official requirements, go to the Hawaii Board of Nursing. See our Hawaii verification guide.

RN vs LPN/LVN vs APRN

The compact treats RN and LPN/practical-nurse licenses the same way. APRN roles are different — the compact does not cover them, so APRN authority is handled state by state even when your RN license is multistate.

Next-step checklist

  • Look your RN license up on Nursys QuickConfirm (nursys.com).
  • Note whether it reads single-state or multistate.
  • Remember a Hawaii RN license is valid in Hawaii only.
  • Confirm anything unclear directly with the Hawaii Board of Nursing.

What to do with that answer

Frequently asked questions

No. Hawaii does not currently issue multistate RN licenses to its residents, so a Hawaii RN license authorizes practice in Hawaii and does not carry compact privilege. A multistate RN license comes from a compact home state.

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