Hawaii Board of Nursing: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language

Worth knowing about Hawaii BON

Hawaii BON requirements in detail

Which evaluator, and who translates for it

Hawaii's list now has six names (Board-approved education credentials evaluation services, rev. 05/14/2026), and the choice decides who may translate.

ECE asks for an English translation of every document not issued in English unless you buy its $85 Translation Waiver, and accepts translations prepared by anyone, including you, if they are complete, word-for-word and in the format of the original (ECE).

Josef Silny asks for professional, certified translations and, for those made in the US, ATA-certified translators (JS&A); SpanTran, now The Evaluation Company, accepts outside translators only if ATA-certified (TEC).

TruMerit works differently: for its CES Professional Report, nursing transcripts are translated by the school, or by TruMerit for a fee (TruMerit), so an outside translation of nursing records is not used there.

Hawaii adds that approval of an evaluator does not guarantee your education will be accepted (Board-approved education credentials evaluation services, rev. 05/14/2026).

Where Hawaii's pages differ

The exam application revised in July 2026 lists six approved organizations on one page, but its Education section still describes only CGFNS reports (the CES Professional Report or the Certification Program) and asks for your CGFNS ID (RN/LPN license by examination application, 2026-07).

The board's separate list, revised May 14, 2026, is the more recent statement of who is approved (Board-approved education credentials evaluation services, rev. 05/14/2026); the application itself tells you to check the board website for the current list.

If you use an evaluator other than TruMerit, ask the board how to identify your report on the application.

The list also names "International Educational Evaluators", a slightly different name from the agency usually called IEE (International Education Evaluations). Confirm with the board before ordering from that agency.

Documents applicants usually translate

• Nursing school transcripts and mark sheets, for the evaluator
• Nursing diploma or degree certificate
• Nursing license or registration from the country of education
• Secondary school diploma, if the evaluator asks for it
• Course descriptions with clinical hours, where the evaluator needs them

What an eVerbary translation includes

• A complete English translation of every page, stamps, seals and handwritten notes included, laid out like the original so each line can be matched.
• Grades, hours and credits exactly as recorded, with the grading scale the document prints. We never convert marks to a US GPA or equivalency.
• A signed certificate of translation accuracy on letterhead, with our contact details, delivered as a PDF you can upload or print.
• $24.95 per page of up to 250 words, certification included; 24 hours for one to three pages as standard. Regular clients who need it can get delivery in as little as 30 minutes, on request.
• Notarization added at checkout ($34.90 per order) when the office asks for a notarized translation.

Submitting the translation to Hawaii BON

• The translation goes to the evaluator with your records, under that evaluator's instructions; ECE, for example, takes copies of translations with your documents (ECE: documentation requirements).

  The evaluator then makes the report available online to the board or emails it directly (RN/LPN license by examination application, 2026-07).

• Your application, fingerprints and NCLEX registration go to the board as its exam application describes (RN/LPN license by examination application, 2026-07); the board's page has the current forms (Board of Nursing).

If you need a translator certified by ATA

Some offices accept only a translator who is personally certified by the American Translators Association (ATA). eVerbary assigns one on request, for the languages ATA certifies into English:

To order it, ask for a free quote and write in the notes that the translation is for Hawaii BON, what it is for, and that you need a translator individually certified by ATA, plus anything else the office asks for (notarization, delivery by email to the office).

We confirm the price and the translator before you pay. ATA does not certify other languages into English, so no translator anywhere holds ATA certification for them.

For those languages we provide a notarized certified translation instead, at $44.95 per page plus notarization ($34.90 per order); ask the office to confirm it accepts that, and write its answer in the quote notes.

How to order

1. Scan or photograph every page of the document, front and back, including any stamps on the reverse.
2. Upload it, choose the language and "certified", and see the price before paying.
3. Receive the PDF, usually within 24 hours for one to three pages, and submit it with the copy of the original wherever the office asks for it.

Frequently asked questions