Healthcare Resource
Hawaii NP License 2026: Collaborative Practice, Hawaii BON Process, Salary
In brief
Hawaii APRNs require a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. Hawaii Board of Nursing processes in 8-14 weeks. Average salary $118,000/year: offset by the highest cost of living in the US.
Steps at a glance
Complete NP program and national certification
Graduate from accredited NP program and pass ANCC or AANP certification for your specialty.
Apply for Hawaii APRN license
Apply to the Hawaii Board of Nursing for APRN licensure. Fee: $140 initial. Apply online through the DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing portal.
Establish collaborative practice agreement
Hawaii APRNs must maintain a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed Hawaii physician for prescriptive authority. The CPA must specify approved prescribing protocols.
Obtain DEA registration and Hawaii controlled substances registration
Register with DEA. Hawaii APRNs with CPA may prescribe Schedule II-V. Register with Hawaii's PDMP.
In this article
Hawaii nurse practitioners (APRN) operate under a reduced practice authority model, a collaborative practice agreement with a physician is required for prescriptive authority. Average APRN salary in Hawaii is $118,000/year in 2026, with Honolulu reaching $126,000-$142,000 for specialty APRNs. Hawaii's extraordinarily high cost of living substantially offsets the high nominal compensation.
Hawaii APRN Practice Authority
Hawaii is a reduced practice authority state. APRNs may independently assess and diagnose. Prescriptive authority (including controlled substances) requires a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed Hawaii physician. Hawaii has introduced but not yet passed full practice authority legislation as of 2026.
Hawaii Board of Nursing Application Requirements
- Active Hawaii RN license (separate from any NLC compact state license)
- Graduation from accredited NP program (master's or doctorate)
- National certification from ANCC, AANP, NCC, PNCB, or other Board-approved body
- APRN application fee: $140
- Online application through DCCA PVL portal
Processing Timeline
Hawaii Board of Nursing APRN applications typically process in 8-14 weeks, slower than most states. Begin the application well before your intended start date. Hawaii is also NOT an NLC compact state, so a separate Hawaii RN license is required first before applying for APRN.
NP Salary in Hawaii (2026)
| Island / City | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Oahu (Honolulu) | $128,000 |
| Maui | $122,000 |
| Hawaii Island (Hilo / Kona) | $115,000 |
| Kauai | $113,000 |
| Molokai / Lanai | $110,000 |
Top HI Health Systems for APRNs
- The Queen's Medical Center, Honolulu; flagship private hospital; HGEA union; strong APRN compensation
- Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, integrated model; competitive salary + full benefits
- Straub Medical Center (Sutter), Honolulu; specialty units
- Maui Health System (Kaiser), Maui Memorial; union wages
- Hilo Medical Center, Big Island; state-operated, civil service pay scale
Cost of Living Context
Hawaii's cost of living is approximately 90-100% above the US national average. A $118,000 APRN salary in Hawaii has purchasing power roughly equivalent to $59,000-$65,000 in a mid-cost mainland state. Housing in Honolulu exceeds $2,500+/month for a 1-bedroom apartment. Plan carefully before relocating for Hawaii NP positions.
What We See at Ava Health
Hawaii's neighbor islands (Maui, Big Island, Kauai) have more acute NP shortages than Oahu and often provide housing assistance to recruit primary care APRNs. Hawaii's collaborative practice requirement adds a processing step that extends credentialing timelines, factor in 3-4 months for new graduates to have a CPA in place and prescriptive authority active.
Related: NP License Washington 2026, NP License Alaska 2026, RN Salary Hawaii 2026.
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