Gov. David Ige approved and signed into effect emergency rules authorizing out-of-state nurses to temporarily practice in Hawaiʻi upon meeting certain requirements without applying for and obtaining a license.  The rules are effective immediately for a period of not longer than 120 days. The nurse’s authorization to practice shall be valid for a period of 90 days after the required confirmation.

Enacted through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the rules amend Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules Chapter 16-89, to allow for nurses to practice temporarily by endorsement and submission of a list of required information from a health care entity. Each health care entity would submit a credentialed list containing the names of each participating nurse, the nurse’s home state, a residential address, an email address, the nurse’s active license number, and a signed verification that the nurse meets certain established criteria set forth in the emergency rules. 

In a statement Governor Ige said, “the COVID-19 virus continues to cause a strain on the state’s healthcare system with hospitals throughout our communities reporting serious staffing challenges and conditions,” said Gov. David Ige. “This action addresses the immediate peril to public health and ensures that medical professionals may focus on providing critical care to patients.”

 The emergency rules are available can be accessed at https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/files/2022/08/2022-Nurses-Emergency-Rules.pdf.