Certified Nurse Aide Requirements in Hawaii
Hawaii Certified Nurse Aides are under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs contracts with Prometric to administer examinations and maintain the CNA registry. Nurse aides are added to the registry after they complete approved training programs and performance successfully on skills and knowledge evaluations. Out-of-state CNAs can be added by reciprocity.
Sponsored School(s)
Select a Hawaii Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Topic:
- CNA Training in Hawaii
- Examination Requirements
- Fees Incured Becoming a CNA
- The Application Process
- Out-of-State CNAs
- Contacts, Nursing Assistant Programs and Additional Information
- Advancement: CNA to RN Programs
CNA Training in Hawaii
A prospective CNA must complete an approved program. A list of approved programs and RN evaluators can be found on the Prometric site (https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/nurseaide/pages/hi.aspx).
A Hawaii CNA who allows certification to lapse must re-enroll in a training program if the original program is not currently on the list of approved programs. If it is on the list, the individual can be approved to test.
The Examination Process
A prospective CNA must pass the Nurse Aide Competency Exam. It is required of new nurse aides and also of those who have allowed past certification to lapse.
There are two components: knowledge and skills. The knowledge evaluation is multiple choice; candidates may opt for an oral version. In the skills test, candidates are evaluated on indirect care and hand washing as well as on three other nurse aide skills selected from a list. Among the skills are turning a person in bed, helping them walk, measuring their pulse or breathing, and washing and applying lotion to a foot. A candidate does not have to perform a skill perfectly to pass, but does have to score satisfactorily on all skills tested.
Some candidates test at their own facilities. Others test at regional testing centers. There are currently six regional centers in Hawaii: Hilo, Kona, Kauai, Maui, Oahu-East, and Oahu-West. Test takers indicate their preferred site on the application. Prometric sends an Authorization to Test (ATT) once eligibility has been confirmed; the ATT will arrive sooner if the applicant provides an email address.
A test taker may reschedule up to five business days in advance of the examination and pay only a $25 fee. Otherwise, full fees will be due. A test taker who does not show up with the two required identification documents will not be allowed to test; this is considered a missed appointment. The full list of examination policies is found in the candidate bulletin on the ‘Hawaii Nurse Aide Exam’ page of the Prometric site (https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/nurseaide/pages/hi.aspx).
All candidates will initially register for both the knowledge and skills test; they will be administered on the same day. A candidate who passes one of the two required evaluations will be required to retake only the one that was failed. (Prometric notes that a candidate who initially takes the written evaluation can switch and take the oral evaluation on a subsequent attempt.)
The test taker can go online to see results of the skills test; results will be available after 48 to 72 hours. The official score report will be mailed within ten business days.
Candidates are allowed up to three attempts. They will need to pass both evaluations within a two year period. Content outline and sample questions are provided in the candidate bulletin. A test taker will find a list of indirect care behaviors (for example, standard precautions and behaviors related to patient rights and comfort) on the Hawaii page of the Prometric site. Practice exams can be purchased for $10.
Out-of-State CNAs
Applicants who are or have been certified in other states use the reciprocity pathway. Prometric will verify registration status. If it is not current, the nurse aide will be required to take the competency evaluation.
The Application Process
Application forms may be downloaded from Prometric (https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/nurseaide/pages/hi.aspx).
An applicant who is applying based on completion of CNA program will include a copy of the training certificate; it must include completion date. A CNA whose certification has lapsed will also provide certificate number.
Reciprocity candidates will include copies of their current certificates. Prometric will need the name of the state and the certification expiration date.
An applicant who has a disciplinary history or has been convicted of a crime during the prior 20 years will be required to provide written explanation. Additional documents may be required.
Candidates who are testing at their own facility will submit applications to an on-site coordinator. Other candidates will mail their application packets to Prometric.
Applicants who will be testing at regional centers will use the following address: Prometric, Nurse Aide Program, 354 Uluniu Street, Suite 308, Kailua, HI 96734. Applicants will need to make sure the name they enter on the application form matches the name on the government-issued ID they will bring to the testing site.
Fees Incured Becoming a CNA
Examination candidates pay $25 for the initial evaluation. They pay $200 for written/ skills evaluation or $210 for oral/ skills evaluation. It costs $150 to retake the skills evaluation; the written evaluation costs $50 and the oral evaluation, $60.
Reciprocity candidates pay $25.
Prometric will accept payments by money order, certified check, or credit card.
Additional Information
HICNA is the division of Prometric that handles the Hawaii CNA certification process. HICNA can be reached by email at ‘hicna at prometric.com’ or by telephone at 800-967-1200; hours are 8:00 to 4:00.
CNA Advancement:
Related Content:
Medical Assistant Programs in Hawaii
How to become an LPN in Hawaii
Find Nursing Licensure Requirements in Your State:
Learn about becoming a Registered Nurse, LPN or LVN in your state:
To View Full U.S. Map Click Here.