CNA Requirements in Hawaii
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Hawaii: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find Hawaii CNA Training ProgramsHawaii CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
18
Training Hours
100 hours minimum
(Federal minimum: 75)
Time to Certification
8-16 weeks
Exam Vendor
Prometric
Becoming a CNA in Hawaii
Hawaii structures its CNA pathway differently from most of the country. Instead of a Board of Nursing, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) contracts directly with Prometric to administer the exam, manage the public registry, and handle recertification mailings. That means almost every interaction a candidate has after training - from filing the application to receiving the certificate - goes through Prometric rather than a state agency in Honolulu.
The state requires 100 hours of training, 25 hours above the federal floor. The curriculum covers 70 classroom and lab hours plus a 30-hour supervised clinical practicum that must be completed in person at a licensed Medicare/Medicaid long-term care facility. Approved programs are offered on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai, with the largest cohort sizes typically running through Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu and the Healthcare School of Hawaii.
Hawaii's labor market for CNAs is shaped by tourism-driven staffing demand and the high cost of living. Wages are typically higher than the national median, especially in Honolulu hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, but housing pressure keeps many CNAs commuting from leeward and windward communities. Demand is also growing for inter-island per diem CNAs who can fly to neighbor islands on short contracts, particularly in hospice and home health.
Detailed Hawaii CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, in partnership with Prometric
Minimum Age
You must be at least 18 years old to begin CNA training in Hawaii.
Education Requirement
Applicants must be 18 or older and able to read, write, speak, and understand English; some training programs require a high school diploma or GED for admission.
Training Hours
100 hours minimum required.
70 hours classroom and lab instruction + 30 hours supervised clinical experience
Background Check
State criminal history check; many employers also require a fingerprint-based federal check before placement
Competency Exam
Administered by Prometric. Two-part Prometric Nurse Aide exam: a 60-question multiple-choice written test (90 minutes, 70% to pass) plus a clinical skills demonstration of five randomly selected skills, with mandatory handwashing
Cost: $216 total ($25 initial application processing + $200 written/skills evaluation; oral evaluation is $210)
Application Fee
$25 initial application processing fee paid to Prometric
Total Cost Estimate
$1,200-$2,800 including tuition and exam
Where You Can Work
Skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, hospice agencies, assisted living homes, home health agencies, and adult residential care homes across Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai
What's Different About Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the few states where the entire CNA program - testing, registry, and certification - is administered by Prometric under contract with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, not a Board of Nursing.
How to Become a CNA in Hawaii: Step by Step
Meet the basic eligibility requirements
Confirm you are at least 18 years old, can read and write English, and have no disqualifying criminal history. Many employers also expect a high school diploma or GED before placing graduates, so secure those documents before you enroll. If English is your second language, schedule placement testing with your prospective program early because Hawaii's exam offers a written and an oral version, and your program will help you choose the right one.
Complete a 100-hour state-approved training program
Hawaii requires 70 hours of classroom and lab instruction plus 30 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Programs are offered through Kapiolani Community College, Hawaii Community College, the University of Hawaii Maui College, the Healthcare School of Hawaii, and Professional Healthcare Educators (PHE). Most programs cost between $800 and $1,800 and run from four to twelve weeks.
Apply for the Prometric Nurse Aide exam
Submit the Hawaii Nurse Aide Application packet, including the $25 initial application processing fee, your training completion form, and identity documents to Prometric. Once eligibility is confirmed, you receive scheduling instructions and an applicant ID. Exam testing is offered on Oahu (Honolulu), Maui (Kahului), Hawaii Island (Hilo and Kona), and Kauai (Lihue), so plan inter-island travel if your home island is not currently hosting the next exam date.
Pass the Hawaii written and skills evaluation
The written test contains 60 multiple-choice questions over 90 minutes; you must score at least 70 percent to pass. Oral versions are available for $210 if English fluency is a challenge. The skills test asks you to perform five randomly chosen skills plus a mandatory handwashing demonstration in front of a Prometric examiner. Each section can be retaken up to three times within the eligibility window.
Listed on the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry by Prometric
Once both sections are passed, Prometric reports the results to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and adds your name to the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry within five business days. Your CNA certificate and wallet card are mailed to your address on file, and you can verify your status immediately at the Prometric public registry portal for Hawaii.
Start working and maintain your certification
Once on the registry, you can accept paid positions across the islands. You must work at least eight paid hours providing nursing or nursing-related services under the supervision of a licensed nurse within each 24-month renewal cycle. CNAs in non-Medicare/Medicaid settings (Group 2) must also submit 24 hours of continuing education and a $27 renewal fee, while Group 1 CNAs typically renew without a fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to test through Prometric to become a CNA in Hawaii?
Yes. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs has contracted exclusively with Prometric to develop and administer the Nurse Aide Competency Examination and to manage the Nurse Aide Registry. There is no in-house state exam, and you cannot bypass Prometric by testing in another state and transferring scores.
How much does the Hawaii CNA exam cost?
Total testing costs come to $216. That covers a $25 nonrefundable initial application processing fee plus $200 for the standard written-and-skills evaluation. If you choose the oral test instead of the written, the testing component rises to $210, bringing your total to $235. Training tuition is separate and varies by school.
What is the difference between Group 1 and Group 2 CNAs in Hawaii?
Group 1 CNAs are those who have worked at least 8 paid hours providing direct nursing services in a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility within the past 24 months, and they renew without continuing education or a fee. Group 2 CNAs worked in non-certified settings such as private duty home care, so they must submit 24 hours of continuing education and a $27 renewal fee to stay active.
Where can I take the Hawaii nurse aide exam?
Prometric holds nurse aide exams on Oahu at Honolulu testing centers, on Maui in Kahului, on Hawaii Island in Hilo and Kona, and on Kauai in Lihue. Exam dates rotate between islands, so check Prometric's Hawaii Nurse Aide page for the next available session on your island before you submit your application.
Can I work as a CNA in Hawaii with a certification from another state?
Hawaii will consider out-of-state CNAs through a reciprocity-style pathway. You submit a Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry Out-of-State application to Prometric, attach proof of a valid certification in another state and documentation of recent paid work hours, and once approved, your name is added to the Hawaii registry. You may not have to retest, but you must meet all eligibility and background requirements.
Are Hawaii CNAs allowed to work in private homes?
Yes. Once your name is on the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry you can work in adult residential care homes, foster homes for the elderly, and private homes through licensed home health agencies. Be aware that private home placements typically classify you as a Group 2 CNA at renewal, which adds the continuing education and renewal fee requirements.
Free Study Materials for the Hawaii CNA Exam
The Prometric exam used by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, in partnership with Prometric tests both knowledge and hands-on skills. Use these free study guides to prepare for the topics most commonly tested in Hawaii:
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE, hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and biohazard handling for the Hawaii CNA exam.
Basic Nursing Skills
Vital signs, intake/output, positioning, transfers, and range of motion — the largest block on the Prometric skills test.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, oral care, toileting, and incontinence management — heavily tested Prometric skills in Hawaii.
Safety & Emergencies
RACE/PASS fire safety, fall prevention, choking, CPR, and seizure care — required knowledge for Hawaii CNA candidates.
Communication Skills
SBAR handoff, therapeutic communication, and adaptations for hearing, vision, and dementia residents — tested throughout the Prometric exam.
Patient Rights
OBRA '87 resident rights, HIPAA, advance directives, and freedom from restraints — graded on every Hawaii CNA practical exam skill.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective data, pain scales, what to report immediately, and documentation rules used on the Hawaii exam.
Body Systems & Conditions
Cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine basics, plus pressure-injury staging — frequently tested on the Hawaii written exam.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, Kübler-Ross stages, and postmortem care for Hawaii CNAs working in long-term care.
Mental Health & Dementia
Delirium vs dementia, sundowning, validation therapy, and de-escalation — frequently tested on the Prometric written exam in Hawaii.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, the four elements of negligence, mandatory reporting, and ethical principles every Hawaii CNA must know before working.
Test yourself for the Hawaii CNA exam
Free Prometric Practice Tests
The Prometric written exam used in Hawaii has 60 scored multiple-choice questions. Drill our free NNAAP-style practice tests until you can consistently score above 80%, then walk into the testing center confident.
Ready to Start Your Hawaii CNA Career?
Find approved training programs, free study materials, and license verification tools for Hawaii.