StateLicensed

Nail Technician License Requirements in Hawaii

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
350 hrs
Upfront cost
$125
Exam
Written Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 16 years old, High school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least 16 years of age and a high school graduate or equivalent (or have one year of licensed experience). Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or authorized to work in the U.S. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 350 hours of training at a state-approved program. Requires 350 training hours from a board-approved beauty school, or 700 hours of training in a board-approved apprenticeship program. [1]

  3. 3

    Written Examination

    Pass the Written Examination (fee: $90). Written / Theory A passing score on the written/theory examination administered by PSI is required. There is no practical examination for Nail Technicians in Hawaii. [1]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology with the $20 application fee. Typical processing time: 45-60 business days. [2]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology issues your Beauty Operator for Hawaii.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $20
License fee [1] $15
Renewal fee [1] $146
Written Examination [1] $90
Temporary Permit Fee (optional) [1] $40

Initial license fee is pro-rated: $15 if licensed in the second year of the biennium, or $30 ($15 original license fee + $15 half of biennial renewal fee) if licensed in the first year. Active status renewal fee is $146 biennially (includes $30 renewal fee + $100 Compliance Resolution Fund fee + other compliance fees).

Renewal & continuing education

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

Licenses expire on December 31 of every odd-numbered year. No continuing education is required for renewal.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Hawaii does not have automatic reciprocity. Out-of-state applicants must submit their credentials for evaluation. If they have already passed the national NIC or PSI examination in another jurisdiction, they may qualify for an exam waiver. Otherwise, they must take and pass the Hawaii written examination.

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

Cost calculator

  • $20
  • $15
  • $90
Total$125

Frequently asked questions

What are the training requirements for a nail technician license in Hawaii?

You must complete either 350 hours of training at an approved beauty school or 700 hours of training in a board-approved apprenticeship program.

When does my Hawaii beauty operator license expire?

All beauty operator licenses expire on December 31 of every odd-numbered year.

Are continuing education (CE) hours required to renew my license?

No, Hawaii does not currently require any continuing education hours to renew a beauty operator license.

Who administers the licensing examination for Hawaii beauty operators?

Effective January 1, 2026, examinations are administered by PSI Services, LLC. You must receive Board approval before registering.

Sources

  1. [1] cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/barber/application_publications/ — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/barber/ — accessed 2026-07-12