StateLicensed

Barber License Requirements in Hawaii

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1500 hrs
Upfront cost
$36
Exam
Hawaii Barber Licensing Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 16 years old, High school graduate or education equivalent to completion of high school. No routine background check: applicants answer a criminal-conviction question on the application, and only those answering 'yes' must attach an explanation plus a current criminal history record check from the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (and from each other state where a conviction occurred). Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or alien authorized to work in the U.S. (HRS 436B-10); Hawaii residency is not required. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1500 hours of training at a state-approved program. At least 1,500 hours of barber school OR 3,000 hours of apprenticeship training. More than 6 months of experience as a licensed barber in another state or jurisdiction may be used to satisfy the requirement, and a combination of school and apprentice training may be accepted subject to Board evaluation. Hairdresser (cosmetology) training may be credited toward the requirement upon Board evaluation, but razor/shaving training must be gained through barber training. Apprentices register with the Board (Barber/Beauty Apprentice Registration). [1]

  3. 3

    Hawaii Barber Licensing Examination

    Pass the Hawaii Barber Licensing Examination. Given in English; out-of-state test locations are at PSI's discretion Exam registration fees are paid directly to PSI and are not published on the Board's site, so no amount is recorded here. Applicants who already passed the NIC (National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) examination in another jurisdiction may submit their NIC score/pass report in lieu of taking the Hawaii exam. Candidates must pass within one year of application or must reapply. An optional one-time temporary permit ($37, valid one year) allows supervised work while awaiting the exam. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) with the $20 application fee. Typical processing time: Completed applications are approved by the Licensing Branch and ratified at the Board's monthly meetings; the license card arrives about 2-3 weeks after the meeting (wall certificate 4-6 weeks). [1]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) issues your Barber License for Hawaii.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $20
License fee [2] $16
Renewal fee [2] $146
Hawaii Barber Licensing Examination [2] None specified
Compliance Resolution Fund (CRF) at initial licensure — odd-numbered year [2] $50
Compliance Resolution Fund (CRF) at initial licensure — even-numbered year [2] $100
Half-period renewal added when licensed in an even-numbered year [2] $23
Temporary permit (optional, exam applicants only, one-time) [2] $37

Initial licensure totals $86 if licensed in an odd-numbered year (application $20 + license $16 + CRF $50) or $159 in an even-numbered year (application $20 + license $16 + CRF $100 + half-renewal $23), per the Barber License Application (rev. 12/2025). The biennial active-status renewal fee is $146 per the Board's renewal information page (inactive status $12).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 0 continuing education hours required per cycle.

All barber licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year; renewal forms are mailed at least 1.5 months before expiration. Active renewal $146, inactive $12; restoration of a forfeited license is possible within 3 years. Per the Board FAQ, no continuing education is required to renew a barber license.

Reciprocity

No reciprocity or endorsement route was found.

Per the Board FAQ, Hawaii has no reciprocal arrangements with any other board of barbering: out-of-state licensees must qualify and apply for Hawaii licensure. However, more than 6 months of licensed out-of-state experience can satisfy the training requirement, and applicants who already passed the NIC examination elsewhere may submit their NIC score report instead of retaking the exam — so experienced out-of-state barbers effectively qualify by application without new schooling, but there is no endorsement/reciprocity pathway as such.

1 state-approved training provider in Hawaii — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $20
  • $16
Total$36

Frequently asked questions

What training do I need for a Hawaii barber's license?

At least 1,500 hours of barber school or 3,000 hours of apprenticeship training. More than 6 months of experience as a licensed barber in another state may satisfy the requirement, and combined school/apprentice training can be accepted subject to Board evaluation.

Is there an age or education requirement?

Yes — you must be at least 16 years old and a high school graduate (or hold an equivalent education). You must also be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or alien authorized to work in the U.S.

What exam do I take and who runs it?

After the Board qualifies your application, you register for the licensing exam with the Board's testing agency — currently PSI Services (test-takers.psiexams.com/hitrade) per the December 2025 application form. If you already passed the NIC exam in another state, you can submit your NIC score report instead.

Can I work while waiting to take the exam?

Yes. Exam applicants may request an optional one-time temporary permit ($37, valid one year) allowing work and training under the supervision of a qualified licensee while waiting to take and pass the exam.

How often do I renew, and is continuing education required?

All Hawaii barber licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year (a 2-year cycle; active renewal $146). No continuing education is required to renew.

Sources

  1. [1] cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/BarberingCosmetology-FAQs_20250429.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PVL_FORM_BARBER_LICENSE_APPLICATION_2025-12.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11