Hawaii Board of Pharmacy |
CE Requirements

Licenses may be verified through the Hawaii Professional and Vocational Licensing Portal.

Hawaii-licensed pharmacists must renew their licenses biennially to maintain the right to practice. Renewal applications are due by December 31 of every odd-numbered year with a renewal fee of $190. Renewals may be completed online by signing into the Professional and Vocational eHawaii account.

Biennial Continuing Education Requirements

The Hawaii Board of Pharmacy requires 30 continuing education (CE) hours to be completed every 2 years prior to the renewal date of December 31. These education hours may be completed in a live or home study setting. 

Additional CE Requirements

If pharmacists are administering vaccines to children aged 14 to 17 years old, 1 hour of CE related to vaccines must be completed during every other biennial renewal period.

If pharmacists are prescribing or dispensing contraceptives, an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education program approved by the board must be completed during every other biennial renewal period.

• 461-8 Renewal of licenses; continuing education requirement. 

(a) All licenses issued by the board, except temporary licenses issued under section 461-7, shall be renewed biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Failure to pay the biennial fee and, beginning with the renewal for the licensing biennium commencing on January 1, 2008, to satisfy the continuing education requirement on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year, shall constitute a forfeiture of the license as of the date of expiration.

(b) Any license forfeited pursuant to subsection (a) may be restored within three years upon payment of any penalty fee, the current biennial fees, and the renewal fee for the next biennium, if applicable, upon submission of proof of compliance with the continuing education requirement for the prior biennium, and upon meeting any other requirements specified in rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91.

(c) In the event that the pharmacist has not engaged in the practice of pharmacy in this State or in another state or territory of the United States within the past five years, the board may require the pharmacist to satisfy additional requirements, as specified in rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91, to demonstrate that the pharmacist is competent to practice in this State.

(d) Beginning with the renewal for the licensing biennium commencing on January 1, 2008, and every biennial renewal thereafter, each licensee shall have completed thirty credit hours in continuing education courses within the two-year period preceding the renewal date, regardless of the licensee’s initial date of licensure; provided that a licensee who has graduated from an accredited pharmacy school within one year of the licensee’s first license renewal period shall not be subject to the continuing education requirement for the first license renewal. The board may extend the deadline for compliance with the continuing education requirement based on any of the following:

(1) Illness, as certified by a physician or osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 453 or licensed in the jurisdiction in which the licensee was treated;

(2) Military service under extended active duty with the armed forces of the United States;

(3) Lack of access to continuing education courses due to the practice of pharmacy in geographically isolated areas; and

(4) Inability to undertake continuing education due to incapacity, undue hardship, or other extenuating circumstances.

(e) A pharmacist who administers any vaccine to persons between the ages of fourteen and seventeen years pursuant to section 461-11.4 shall complete a training program approved by the board within every other biennial renewal period and submit proof of successful completion of the training program to the board; provided that the pharmacist shall meet these requirements prior to administering any vaccine to persons between the ages of fourteen and seventeen years.

(f)  A pharmacist who prescribes and dispenses contraceptive supplies pursuant to section 461-    shall complete an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education program approved by the board within every other biennial renewal period and submit proof of successful completion of the continuing education program to the board.

(g) Each licensee shall maintain the licensee’s continuing education records. At the time of renewal, each licensee shall certify under oath that the licensee has complied with the continuing education requirement of this section. The board may require a licensee to submit, in addition to the certification, evidence satisfactory to the board that demonstrates compliance with the continuing education requirement of this section.

(h) The board may conduct random audits to determine compliance with the continuing education requirement. The board shall provide written notice of an audit to a licensee randomly selected for audit. Within sixty days of notification, the licensee shall provide the board with documentation verifying compliance with the continuing education requirement.

We cannot guarantee this is the most up-to-date version of this code section. Please refer to the Hawaii State Legislature for the most accurate information.

• Complete and submit the NABP Application for Licensure Transfer and Hawaii State Board Pharmacist Application together to the Board’s office
• Submit proof of 1,500 hours of practical experience
• Meet examination requirements:
  • If the reciprocated license was obtained before June 22, 1976: requires a passing score of 70 on the state licensing exam  
  • If the reciprocated license was obtained on or after June 22, 1976, and before May 12, 1986: require a passing score of 70 on the NAPLEX or NABPLEX
  • If the reciprocated license was obtained on or after May 12, 1986: requires a passing converted score of 75 on the NAPLEX or NABPLEX
  • All applicants are required to pass the Hawaii MPJE with a score of 75.

The Hawaii State Board of Pharmacy requires a minimum of 30 continuing education hours every 2 years. The CE requirement must be fulfilled by the renewal date of December 31.

A pharmacist license may be obtained through examination or reciprocity. To obtain licensure via examination, the applicant must:

1. Arrange for a certified transcript to be sent directly from the school/college of pharmacy.
2. Submit proof of 1,500 hours of practical experience
3. Complete and submit the “Verification of License – Pharmacist.”
4. Register and pass the NAPLEX and MPJE with NAPB.
5. Complete and submit the “Application for Exam and License – Pharmacist” with a $50 application fee.

For additional information concerning requirements and steps to licensure, visit the DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division website. 

Although Hawaii does not require live CE hours for pharmacist license renewal, choosing to participate in them can offer significant advantages. Participating in live online CE sessions allows you to immerse yourself in dynamic and interactive learning experiences.

To simplify access to all our home study and live webinar offerings that fulfill the state’s renewal requirements, we encourage you to enroll in a freeCE Gold Membership today. This subscription provides you with the convenience of numerous live sessions daily, in addition to on-demand training alternatives, giving you the flexibility to create a schedule that perfectly suits your requirements

FreeCE streamlines the process of fulfilling your state CE requirements, offering simplicity, convenience, and affordability. For pharmacists holding a Hawaii license, there may be a necessity to acquire CE credits related to immunization and contraceptives, as deemed applicable. FreeCE offers a diverse range of choices, enabling pharmacists not only to meet these obligatory requirements but also to select subjects that align with their interests or areas of expertise.