Nursing · HI
Can a Registered Nurse transfer a license to Hawaii as a military spouse?
Data as of May 2026|Source: Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) commission + DOJ Servicemembers Initiative
Published by the Honest MOS Editorial DeskVerified against DoD/.gov sourcesUpdated May 2026Editorial standards
⚠ VAEIA federal backstop
Not through the compact — Hawaii is not currently a Nursing compact member. A military-spouse Registered Nurse relies on VAEIA 2022 / 50 U.S.C. § 4025a, which requires Hawaii to recognize a valid out-of-state license upon relocation for military orders.
Your nursing board in Hawaii
Hawaii military-spouse provision
Issues a temporary military-spouse license, approved within 30 days, for spouses of active-duty members on a permanent change of station.
Official source ↗About the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)
Allows an RN or LPN/VN with a multistate license to practice in any other compact-member state without re-licensing. Largest compact in the country.
Official compact site ↗All Nursing member states
40 jurisdictions. Tap any to check that destination for this profession.