All Hawaii beauty licenses in one place. Testing vendor changed from Prometric to PSI Services LLC effective January 1, 2026 — all exam scheduling now through PSI. Hawaii uses a state-specific exam (not the standard NIC). Exams offered three times per year: January, May, and October. Biennial renewal December 31 of odd-numbered years. No CE. Temporary permit ($40) available. Regulated by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (DCCA/PVL).
Hawaii · Beauty Operator (Cosmetology)
Hawaii uses the umbrella term "Beauty Operator" for its cosmetology license. 1,800 hours at a Board-approved school (or 3,600-hour apprenticeship). State-specific written and practical exams administered by PSI (as of January 1, 2026). Exams offered January, May, October only. Must be Board-approved before scheduling. Biennial renewal December 31 odd years. No CE. Temporary permit ($40) available.
Hawaii's testing vendor changed from Prometric to PSI Services LLC effective January 1, 2026. All exam scheduling for barber, cosmetology, and electrology exams is now through PSI. If you previously had appointments or accounts with Prometric for Hawaii exams, contact PSI or the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to confirm your status under the new system. Board website: cca.hawaii.gov/pvl.
Hawaii develops its own state-specific written and practical examinations — it does not use the standard national NIC exam. Hawaii exams cover cosmetology theory, sanitation, Hawaii-specific laws, and practical skills. Exams are offered only three times per year: January, May, and October. You must receive Board approval before scheduling with PSI. An exam waiver is available if you passed a NIC or PSI exam in another state — contact the Board to apply for a waiver (cca.hawaii.gov/pvl).
Age 16+, HS diploma. Apprenticeship: min 20 hrs/week, max 42 months. Verify school at cca.hawaii.gov/pvl.
Do NOT schedule with PSI until Board sends approval. Board mails scheduling authorization. Address: P.O. Box 3469, Honolulu, HI 96801.
Written: ~$90, ~100 questions, 2 hours, Hawaii-specific content. Practical: ~$125 hands-on demonstration. Temporary permit ($40) available to work under supervision while awaiting results.
Biennial renewal deadline. No CE required. Processing can take 6–8 weeks.
Full 10-test NIC Cosmetology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
1,099 cards: Sci · Hair · Skin · Nail. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Hawaii · Esthetics
600 hours at a Board-approved school (or 1,200-hour apprenticeship). State-specific exams via PSI (as of January 1, 2026). Exams in January, May, October only — must be Board-approved before scheduling. Biennial renewal December 31 of odd years. No CE. Temporary permit ($40) available. Age 16+.
Hawaii offers an exam waiver for esthetics license applicants who have passed either a NIC or PSI Services examination in another jurisdiction. If you already hold a passing score from another state's NIC or PSI exam, you may qualify to skip the Hawaii exam. Apply for the exam waiver through the Hawaii Board at cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/barber.
Age 16+, HS diploma. Apprenticeship min 20 hrs/week, max 42 months. Min supervisor experience: 1 year licensed.
Board at P.O. Box 3469, Honolulu, HI 96801. Do not schedule PSI without Board authorization.
~$90 written + ~$125 practical. Temporary permit ($40) available. Processing can take 6–8 weeks.
Full 10-test NIC Esthetics exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
1,100 cards: Sci · Skin. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Hawaii · Barber
Hawaii barbers are regulated by the same Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (DCCA/PVL). State-specific exams via PSI (as of January 1, 2026). Exams offered January, May, October only. Age 17+ for barber applicants (vs 16+ for hairdressing). Contact the Board directly for current barber-specific hour requirements and exam details.
Hawaii barbers are regulated by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology under DCCA/PVL. The testing vendor changed to PSI effective January 1, 2026. Exam dates remain January, May, and October. Barber applicants must be at least 17 years old (vs 16 for hairdressers). Confirm current barber hour requirements and fees at cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/barber.
Full 10-test NIC Barber Styling exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Hawaii · Nail Technician
Hawaii licenses nail technicians through the same Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. State-specific exams via PSI (as of January 1, 2026). Confirm current nail technician hour requirements and exam fees with the Hawaii Board at cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/barber. Same 3x/year exam schedule (Jan, May, Oct). No CE. Biennial renewal December 31 odd years.
Hawaii nail technician licensing requirements including specific training hours should be confirmed directly with the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/barber), as program structures and hour requirements may have been updated. The PSI vendor change (January 1, 2026) also applies to nail technology exams — all scheduling now through PSI. Exam waiver available if you have passed a NIC or PSI exam in another state.
Full 10-test NIC Nail Technology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Hawaii uses a state-specific exam via PSI — offered Jan, May, Oct. Core cosmetology and esthetics theory overlaps with NICPrep content. Exam waiver available if you passed NIC or PSI in another state.