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Cosmetologist
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
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.
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
Renewal Cycle
Gov. Fees
Get the Hawaii Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$20
Application fee for beauty operator license
Exam Fee
$180
Written exam ($90) + practical exam ($90); paid directly to testing vendor (PSI)
License Fee
$92–$165
License fee varies: $92 in odd-numbered years, $165 in even-numbered years (due to expiration cycle alignment)
Education / Training Cost
$10,000–$22,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Hawaii has limited cosmetology school options and costs may be higher due to island logistics.
Renewal Fee
$146.00
Every Expires December 31 of every odd-numbered year
CE Required
Not required
No continuing education needed for renewal
Renewal Cycle
Expires December 31 of every odd-numbered year
Renewal Fee
$146.00
Complete 1,800 hours of training at an approved beauty school (or 3,600 apprenticeship hours, or a combination)
Submit application with $20 fee to the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (DCCA PVL Division)
Register with PSI Services LLC and pay $90 per exam for written and practical exams
Pass the NIC written exam with a score of 75% or higher
Pass the NIC practical exam with a score of 75% or higher
Pay license fee ($92 or $165 depending on year of issuance)
Receive beauty operator license
Minimum Age
16 years old
Education Level
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education
Residency
Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or alien authorized to work in the United States; must provide Social Security Number
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a cosmetology license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,800 hours
Board-approved beauty school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
4,000 hours required
Apprenticeship requires 3,600 hours (double the school requirement). Combination training is allowed where two apprenticeship hours equal one beauty school hour.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified; practical training must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in Hawaii.
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Beauty operators (cosmetologists) in Hawaii may perform hair cutting, styling, coloring, chemical treatments, nail care, skin care, facial treatments, makeup application, and hair removal services. The license encompasses a full scope of cosmetology services.
NIC Written Examination
NIC written examination. Testing vendor changed from Prometric to PSI Services LLC effective January 1, 2026. Fee of $90 per exam paid directly to the testing vendor.
NIC Practical Examination
NIC practical examination testing hands-on cosmetology skills. Fee of $90 per exam paid directly to the testing vendor.
Ready to pass the Cosmetology State Board Exam?
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Didn't pass on your first try? Read our guide on what to do if you fail the cosmetology state board exam.
Overall licensing difficulty: 44/100
Study recommendation: Most candidates study 2–4 weeks
Practice with realistic exam questions
Cosmetology State Board Exam
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Cosmetology Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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NIC Written Examination
Passing Score
75%
Administered By
PSI Services LLC (effective January 1, 2026; previously Prometric)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $90Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the NIC Written Examination.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — National Cosmetology Written Examination
Prepare for your National Cosmetology Written Examination with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee for beauty operator license | |
Exam Fee Written exam ($90) + practical exam ($90); paid directly to testing vendor (PSI) | |
License Fee License fee varies: $92 in odd-numbered years, $165 in even-numbered years (due to expiration cycle alignment) | |
Total Government Fees Application ($20) + exam fees ($180) + license ($92–$165) |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $10,000–$22,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Hawaii has limited cosmetology school options and costs may be higher due to island logistics.
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.
Initial License Term
Expires December 31 of every odd-numbered year
Renewal Cycle
Expires December 31 of every odd-numbered year
Renewal Fee
$146.00
Continuing Education
Not required
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
Out-of-state licensed cosmetologists can apply for Hawaii licensure through reciprocity if they hold a current, valid license from another state with substantially equivalent requirements. Applicants from states with lower training hour requirements may need to make up deficiencies through additional schooling or apprenticeship hours.
Additional Requirements: Must hold current out-of-state license with substantially equivalent requirements; may need to complete additional hours if original state requirements are lower than Hawaii's 1,800 hours
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.
Skin care, facials, and related services
Manicures, pedicures, and nail services
Hair cutting, shaving, and barbering services
Hawaii is one of the few states that officially titles the license 'Beauty Operator' rather than 'Cosmetologist.' All licenses expire on the same date (December 31 of odd-numbered years) regardless of when issued, which means initial license fees vary ($92 vs $165) depending on how much time remains in the current cycle. The testing vendor transitioned from Prometric to PSI Services LLC on January 1, 2026. Hawaii also allows a flexible combination of school + apprenticeship hours using a 2:1 ratio.
Hawaii uses the title 'Beauty Operator' instead of 'Cosmetologist'
All beauty operator licenses expire December 31 of every odd-numbered year, regardless of when issued
Testing vendor changed from Prometric to PSI Services LLC effective January 1, 2026
Temporary permits available for $40
Apprenticeship allows combination training: 2 apprenticeship hours = 1 beauty school hour
License fee varies based on year of issuance due to the fixed odd-year expiration cycle
Cosmetologist Schools in Hawaii
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii (you) | $292–$365 | 66–108 wks | |
| California | $125 | 40–68 wks | → |
| Alaska | $450 | 61–101 wks | → |
See how Hawaii compares: Cosmetologist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare cosmetologist requirements across all states →
Cosmetologist licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure cosmetologist is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Hawaii compare to other states for cosmetologist? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your cosmetologist license →
Study guides and practice tests for the cosmetology 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
Cosmetologist requirements in Hawaii verified against Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), April 2026.
Moving to Hawaii? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to Hawaii →