Bill > SB1596

This bill aims to expand testing locations for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is a standardized exam that nurses must pass to obtain their professional license. Currently, newly graduated nursing students in Hawaii can only take the exam at a single location on Oahu, creating significant financial burdens for students from other islands who must pay for travel and lodging. To address this issue, the bill requires the State Board of Nursing to identify and equip one facility in each of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui with the necessary technical infrastructure to become a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center (a testing site contracted by Pearson Education, Inc.). The board must also submit applications to Pearson to have these facilities officially authorized as test centers and provide a report to the Legislature detailing their findings and recommendations. The bill defines key terms such as "technical and facility requirements" and specifies that the provisions will take effect on December 31, 2050, giving the board ample time to implement the new testing locations and reduce the financial strain on nursing graduates across the Hawaiian islands.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1596&year=2026