HI HB354

Requires all licensed registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in Hawaii to complete continuing competency requirements every two years beginning July 1, 2017, prior to license renewal, restoration, or reinstatement.

Exempts nurses with active advanced practice registered nurse licenses and current national board certification, nurses with current national certification in their practice role, and nurses who graduated within twelve months prior to their first renewal date.

Establishes ten approved learning activity options to satisfy continuing competency requirements, including national certification, thirty contact hours of continuing education, academic coursework, preceptorship programs, nursing research projects, and peer-reviewed publications.

Allows the board to extend compliance deadlines on a case-by-case basis for nurses experiencing illness or military service, and requires licensees to maintain records for four years.

Authorizes the board to audit compliance and adds false attestation of continuing competency completion as grounds for license denial, revocation, or suspension.