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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (under DCCA Hawaii / PVL Division)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
1,500 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$200
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
Renew by December 31 of every odd-numbered year
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
High school graduate or equivalent
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,500 hours
Barber school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
3,000 hours required
3,000 hours (increased from 1,500 via Act 073, SLH 2022; effective for apps filed after July 1, 2024). Grandfathering applies to permits issued before July 1, 2023 if application filed before July 1, 2024.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified; contact the board
Curriculum Includes
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Hawaii Barber Written Examination (NIC)
Written exam covering barbering theory and Hawaii laws.
Hawaii Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 54/100
Study recommendation: Most candidates study 2–4 weeks
Practice with realistic exam questions
Barber State Board Exam
Browse study guides
Barber Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Haircutting, shaving, trimming beards, shampooing, styling, hair coloring, chemical treatments, scalp treatments, and facial treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee | $20 |
Exam Fee Written ($90) + practical ($90) | $180 |
License Fee Initial license fee | Varies by year (prorated to next odd-year expiration) |
Total Government Fees Total of application, exam, and license fees | $200 |
Barber School Tuition: $8,000-$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Hawaii does NOT have license reciprocity. Out-of-state applicants must demonstrate equivalent training and may need to take the exam.
Additional Requirements: License verification and NIC exam scores may be required.
Cross-over training: licensed barbers can train beauty apprentices in hairdresser category, and vice versa.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Hawaii with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Initial License Term
Biennial (expires Dec 31 of odd-numbered years); current period is Jan 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 per renewal info shown
Renewal Cycle
Renew by December 31 of every odd-numbered year
Renewal Fee
$146.00 (active status)
Continuing Education
Not required
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
Shop License Fee: $50 (Shop license fee)
Barbershops must be separately licensed and pass health/safety inspections.
Hawaii recently doubled its apprenticeship hours from 1,500 to 3,000 (effective July 1, 2024), while school training remains at 1,500 hours. This makes the apprenticeship pathway significantly longer than the school pathway.
CRITICAL: Apprenticeship hours doubled from 1,500 to 3,000 via Act 073 (2022). Grandfathering for permits before July 1, 2023.
Hawaii does NOT have license reciprocity. Out-of-state applicants must demonstrate equivalent training.
Exams given 4 times per year (March, June, September, December).
If exam failed 4 times, must complete 6-month apprenticeship before retaking.
Temporary permit allows supervised work for approximately 1 year ($37).
Cross-over training: licensed barbers can train beauty apprentices, and vice versa.
Forfeited licenses can be restored within 3 years; after 3 years requires board approval.
Computer-based exams on Oahu/Big Island; paper exams on Kauai/Maui.
Barber Schools in Hawaii
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii (you) | — | — | |
| California | $125 | 46–70 wks | → |
| Alaska | — | — | → |
See how Hawaii compares: Barber License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare barber requirements across all states →
Barber licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure barber is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Hawaii compare to other states for barber? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your barber license →
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in Hawaii
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Hawaii.
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Official Sources
Barber requirements in Hawaii verified against Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (under DCCA Hawaii / PVL Division), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Moving to Hawaii? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Hawaii →