How to Get Your CNA Certification in Hawaii (HI): 2026 Guide

If you want to work as a Certified Nurse Assistant in Hawaii, you'll need to complete a state-approved nurse aide training program and pass the state's competency exam through Prometric, Hawaii's approved testing vendor. Hawaii is one of the few states where test-takers may need to island-hop to reach a regional site, so timing travel and registration matters as much as your studying. This guide walks you through the 100-hour training requirement, the Prometric exam structure, test-day logistics on each island, and Hawaii's unique two-tier renewal system — so you can move from application to working bedside without surprises.

Hawaii CNA at a glance

• State agency: Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) — Nurse Aide Program
• Registry name: Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry
• Approved vendor: Prometric (Pearson VUE / Prometric nurse aide testing)
• Training hours: 100 total (70 of which are clinical)
• Exam content: 70-question written (or oral) + 5-skill clinical evaluation (NNAAP standard)
• Application fee: Contact the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry for the most current fee
• Testing fee: Contact Prometric for current rates
• Renewal cycle: Every 2 years, with two-tier fees (see renewal section below)

Who oversees CNA certification in Hawaii

CNA certification in Hawaii is administered through the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division — Nurse Aide Program. The DCCA maintains the official Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry, where you can verify your listing, update your contact information, and confirm renewal status once you're certified. The Nurse Aide Program also approves the training programs that feed into the registry, so any program you enroll in must be on their approved list before you sign up — otherwise your training hours won't count toward eligibility.

Training programs in Hawaii

Hawaii requires 100 hours of nurse aide training before you're eligible to test, with 70 of those hours devoted to supervised clinical practice. Programs are offered through community colleges, adult education centers, and approved nursing facilities across the islands, and most students complete the program in roughly 6 to 12 weeks of full-time study. Programs on neighbor islands tend to run less frequently than Oahu-based options, so plan ahead if you're not on Oahu. Look for programs explicitly approved by the Hawaii Nurse Aide Program — your training certificate must come from an approved provider or you won't be eligible to sit for the Prometric exam. For a refresher on what your training should cover, see our study guides.

The CNA exam in Hawaii: Prometric details

Hawaii uses Prometric as its approved nurse aide competency testing vendor. The exam follows the standard NNAAP structure: a 70-question written knowledge test (with an oral audio option available if you prefer) plus a 5-skill clinical evaluation where you perform randomly selected hands-on skills on a live actor or mannequin. You can register directly through Prometric's Hawaii nurse aide portal, and you'll typically need to register several weeks ahead of your preferred test date — island geography means regional test sites don't run as often as mainland sites do. Many Hawaii candidates schedule the written and clinical portions on separate visits, but same-day scheduling is sometimes available in Honolulu; check your confirmation letter for assigned slots.

How much does the Hawaii CNA exam cost?

Specific dollar amounts for the Hawaii CNA exam fluctuate, so always confirm current pricing with Prometric and the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry before registering. In general, expect to pay separately for:

• State application / registry processing fee — paid to the Hawaii Nurse Aide Program
• Vendor testing fee — paid to Prometric, covering both written and clinical portions
• Retest fees — if you fail one portion and need to re-attempt it
• Background check — required before clinical placement; check with your training program for current procedure
• BLS / CPR certification — only if your program requires a separate card beyond what's built into training

Typical total out-of-pocket cost for the exam process in Hawaii lands in a broad range depending on retake needs and travel costs. For exact current rates, check the Hawaii Nurse Aide Program page and Prometric's Hawaii fee schedule before you register.

Where to take the test in Hawaii

Hawaii's test sites are spread across the major islands, and geography is the real scheduling constraint — you may need to fly or take an inter-island ferry to reach your assigned regional site. Call the registry or Prometric to confirm exact locations and current cadence before booking, especially on neighbor islands where sites run less often.

• Honolulu (Oahu — West and East): The state's primary testing hub, with regional sites serving both Oahu-West and Oahu-East candidates. An example Prometric-area location is in downtown Honolulu around the 1003 Bishop St area. Multiple test dates run throughout the month, giving you the most scheduling flexibility in Hawaii.
• Kailua (Oahu Windward side): A separate Prometric office location on Oahu's windward coast — around 354 Uluniu St — offers an alternative Oahu site for candidates on that side of the island. Confirm current scheduling when you register.
• Hilo (Big Island of Hawaii): A regional test site serving east Hawaii. Cadence is less frequent than Honolulu, so book well in advance and be prepared to travel to Kona if your assigned date moves.
• Kahului (Maui): A regional test site serving Maui candidates. Cadence runs periodically — call the registry to confirm current dates before booking inter-island travel.
• Lihue (Kauai): A regional test site serving Kauai candidates. Cadence is the least frequent of the five islands, so plan early and have a backup date ready.

If you live on a smaller island without a dedicated site, your closest option is almost certainly a flight to Oahu. Build travel time and lodging into your test-day plan rather than relying on a same-day inter-island turnaround.

Scheduling and what to bring on test day

Hawaii Prometric test sites follow standard Prometric ID policies: bring two forms of identification, at least one of which is a government-issued photo ID (a Hawaii driver's license works). You'll typically be asked to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time to complete check-in and proctoring setup. Wear scrubs or comfortable, modest clinical attire for the skills portion — closed-toe shoes are required. Most Hawaii candidates schedule the clinical skills evaluation and the written knowledge test on separate visits, especially on neighbor islands where same-day availability is limited; check your Prometric confirmation letter carefully so you don't show up on the wrong island on the wrong day.

After you pass: Hawaii certification and renewal

Once you've passed both portions of the Prometric exam, your results are reported to the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry, which issues your CNA certification. Registry card delivery typically takes a few weeks; you can verify your listing online through the DCCA PVL nurse aide page once processing completes. Hawaii certs are valid for two years and follow a two-tier renewal system that catches many first-time renewers off guard:

• Group 1 (Medicare/Medicaid facility employees): If you worked a qualifying number of hours in a Medicare/ or Medicaid-certified facility during your certification period, your renewal is free — you still need to file the renewal, but no fee is owed.
• Group 2 (non-Medicare/Medicaid settings, or those who didn't meet the work-hour requirement): Renewal costs $27 and you must complete 24 hours of continuing education within the renewal cycle.

If you trained in a private setting, work for a non-Medicare/Medicaid employer (some home care and assisted living facilities fall outside Medicare/Medicaid certification), or simply didn't log enough paid hours during your cycle, you'll fall into Group 2. Mark your calendar two months before expiration so you have time to complete CE hours and submit payment.

Common pitfalls specific to Hawaii

• Same-day inter-island testing is rare. Most candidates take the written and clinical portions on separate visits, often on different islands. Don't assume you can finish both in one trip.
• Neighbor island cadence is unpredictable. Prometric regional sites on Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island run less often than Honolulu. Book the first available date you can commit to.
• Two-tier renewal trips people up. If you didn't work in a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility during your cycle, you owe $27 plus 24 hours of CE — don't expect to renew for free by default.
• Training program approval is island-specific. A program approved on Oahu may not be recognized for registry eligibility if it isn't on the current approved list. Verify with DCCA before you pay tuition.
• Travel costs add up fast. Inter-island flights, lodging, and a rental car can easily exceed your testing fees. Build a travel buffer into your budget before scheduling.

FAQ

How long does it take to become a CNA in Hawaii? Most candidates complete a 100-hour training program in 6 to 12 weeks of full-time study, then schedule the Prometric exam 2 to 6 weeks out depending on island. From first day of training to certified CNA, plan on roughly 3 to 5 months.

How much does the Hawaii CNA test cost? Specific fees fluctuate; check the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry and Prometric for current rates. Expect separate charges for state registry processing, the Prometric exam, and any retest fees.

Can I challenge the Hawaii CNA exam without training? No. Hawaii requires completion of a state-approved nurse aide training program (100 hours, including 70 clinical hours) before you're eligible to sit for the Prometric exam. Military-trained medics may qualify for expedited pathways — contact DCCA directly.

How do I verify my Hawaii CNA certification? Once certified, your listing appears on the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry through the DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing division. Employers and patients can search the registry online.

What's the difference between Group 1 and Group 2 renewal? Group 1 (paid work in a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility during your cycle) renews at no cost. Group 2 (everyone else, including those who didn't meet the work-hour requirement) pays $27 and must complete 24 hours of continuing education.

Practice questions for the Hawaii CNA exam are at /exam and clinical-skills walkthroughs are at /skills.