How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Hawaii?

Hawaii requires 1,800 hours of approved training. That is more than 46 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 3.

How old do you have to be to get a cosmetology license in Hawaii?

You must be at least 16 years old. The education requirement is Education equivalent to completion of high school.

HI Cosmetology licensing

Hawaii cosmetology license requirements and exam prep

Confirm Hawaii cosmetology training hours, exam requirements, official board sources and the matching Cosmetology practice app.

At a glance

Hawaii Cosmetology facts

License type: Cosmetologist
School hours: 1,800 hours
Written exam: Required
Practical exam: Not required
Exam vendor: PSI Services LLC
Renewal cycle: 2 years
Minimum age: 16
Education: Education equivalent to completion of high school
Last verified: 2026-07-30

Checked against 3 official sources on 2026-07-30. Every figure on this page links to the document it came from.

Application path

What to verify before you apply

1Confirm the license categoryState boards may use different names for the same career path.
2Verify training and exam eligibilityCheck hours, application order, fees, IDs and vendor rules from official sources.
3Practice once your path is clearUse the state-aware course app for written-exam practice and weak-area review.

Exam details

Written and practical exam notes

Written exam

Status: Required

Practical exam

Status: Not required

Hawaii does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license, so there is no practical time limit, score or fee to prepare for.

Renewal and transfer

Renewal: 2 years
Reciprocity: Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam

Still to verifyNot published in the cited sources: written question count, written time limit, written exam languages, continuing education. Verify the current board page or candidate bulletin before scheduling or applying.

Study path

How to use this Hawaii cosmetology guide

Verify the licensing path here, then use the course app for active recall, answer explanations, weak-area drills and timed written-exam practice.

Confirm eligibilityFinish 1,800 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step. This record also has a sourced apprenticeship path of 3,600 hours.
Prepare for the written examUse practice for the core written-theory topics, then verify the current question count and time limit before scheduling. The cited sources name PSI Services LLC as the exam vendor.
Focus the exam study loopHawaii does not require a practical exam for this license, so the course app can focus on written theory, explanations and timed drills.
Start the matching practice appBegin with the free questions, then unlock full access when your exam date is close enough that you will use the 90-day study window.

High-yield written topics

Safety and infection controlDisinfection, blood exposure, EPA labels, SDS and salon sanitation rules.
Hair color and chemistryLevels, developers, patch tests, chemical reactions and product safety.
Haircutting and texture servicesElevation, guidelines, relaxers, perms, neutralizers and service steps.
Skin, nails and state lawBasic services outside hair plus scope, licensing and board-rule questions.

Practice Cosmetology questions

Official sources

Source links used for this guide

Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 439, Beauty Culture ↗Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division · Accessed 2026-07-30License type, Training hours, Apprenticeship hours, Minimum age, Education, Written exam, Renewal cycle, Transfer route
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Examination Information ↗Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division · Accessed 2026-07-30Exam vendor
Memorandum to exam candidates: Barber, Cosmetology and Electrologist Examinations 2026 ↗Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Examination Branch · Accessed 2026-07-30Exam vendor

Hawaii in context

What these Hawaii cosmetology rules mean for you

Hawaii requires 1,800 training hours for a cosmetology license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 46 ask for fewer hours and 3 ask for more, against a range of 1,000 to 2,000 hours and a median of 1,500. Hour requirements matter beyond school cost: a license earned in a low-hour state is often harder to transfer into a high-hour one.

Hawaii requires a written examination but no hands-on practical examination for this license, which is unusual and means your preparation is entirely theory-based. The examination is administered by PSI Services LLC.

Hawaii Cosmetology licensing questions

How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Hawaii?: Hawaii requires 1,800 hours of approved training. That is more than 46 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 3.
Is there a practical exam for the Hawaii cosmetology license?: No. Hawaii does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license.
How old do you have to be to get a cosmetology license in Hawaii?: You must be at least 16 years old. The education requirement is Education equivalent to completion of high school.
How often do you renew a Hawaii cosmetology license?: The renewal cycle is 2 years.

Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.