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 moved to PSI's own National exam on 1 January 2026 — neither NIC nor Hawaii-written. PSI tests continuously by computer; register after Board approval, eligibility valid twelve months. Biennial renewal December 31 of odd-numbered years. CE-free. Temporary permit ($40) available. Regulated by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (DCCA/PVL).
Prep for this state
Your written exam is the PSI National paper, the same one ten states use. Hawaii moved onto it on 1 January 2026, and a NIC score still counts for reciprocity. The outline, the pass marks and how the ten differ →
Practice Test + Flashcards
Hawaii moved to PSI’s National programme on 1 January 2026 and has published no content outline of its own; our bank is built to PSI’s National form, the one California and seven other states sit. Check the Board’s exam page for any Hawaii-specific weights before you book.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Hawaii moved to PSI’s National programme on 1 January 2026 and has published no content outline of its own; our bank is built to PSI’s National form, the one California and seven other states sit. Check the Board’s exam page for any Hawaii-specific weights before you book.
PSI National Barber Theory · Practice Test + Flashcards
PSI’s Hawaii barber bulletin (v1.0, effective 15 Jan 2026) says it outright: “Test takers will utilize the PSI National Barber test” — 85 scored + 10 pretest, 120 minutes, the same eight domains and weights California, Colorado, Michigan, Massachusetts and Georgia sit. Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Hawaii moved to PSI’s National programme on 1 January 2026 and has published no content outline of its own; our bank is built to PSI’s National form, the one California and seven other states sit. Check the Board’s exam page for any Hawaii-specific weights before you book.
Rebuilt to the new exam · not yet on sale
PSI’s Hawaii electrology bulletin (v1.0, effective 15 Jan 2026) moved Hawaii from its own seven-domain paper to the PSI National Electrology test: 50 scored + 10 unscored questions, 90 minutes, 75% to pass, $95, English only. Our Hawaii bank was built to the old outline, so we have taken it off sale rather than sell you the wrong exam.
Every question comes with a full rationale. When that isn’t enough — the concept is new, the wording is dense, you got it right by luck — tap Explain and the tutor talks you through it: why your answer was wrong, and what the right idea actually is. Ask it anything back, as many times as you need.
If English isn’t the language you learned this in, it teaches in yours, switched whenever you like. The questions stay in English, because that is how you will see them on exam day. Where enough candidates ask we translate the prep itself — so far Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian and Simplified Chinese, on the products that have it.
Included with every product · every question · 19 languages
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10 questions from the PSI National cosmetology bank and 10 terminology cards from the decks — the same items, the same rationales, the same study modes you get after checkout. Hawaii sits PSI’s National exam as of 1 January 2026, so this is the form you’ll see. No email, no signup.
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). Continuous computer-based testing; register with PSI after Board approval, eligibility valid twelve months. Biennial renewal December 31 odd years. CE-free. 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 used NIC content via Prometric until 1 January 2026 and now uses PSI's own National exam. It is not NIC, and it is not Hawaii-written either. Hawaii exams cover cosmetology theory, sanitation, Hawaii-specific laws, and practical skills. The old January/May/October paper dates were Prometric’s; PSI tests continuously by computer — you register with PSI after the Board approves your application (allow 24 hours after the approval letter), and eligibility is valid for twelve months. 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. CE-free. Processing can take 6–8 weeks.
Hawaii · Esthetics
600 hours at a Board-approved school (or 1,200-hour apprenticeship). State-specific exams via PSI (as of January 1, 2026). Continuous computer-based testing — register with PSI after Board approval, eligibility valid twelve months. Biennial renewal December 31 of odd years. CE-free. 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.
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). Continuous computer-based testing after Board approval. 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, with continuous computer-based testing after Board approval (eligibility valid twelve months). PSI’s Hawaii barber bulletin (v1.0, effective 15 Jan 2026) names the form: the PSI National Barber test, 85 scored + 10 pretest in 120 minutes, 75% to pass, $95. NICPrep’s PSI National barber bank is built to that outline (the bank is sold under its California name). 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.
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. Continuous PSI computer-based testing after Board approval. CE-free. 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.
Hawaii · Electrology
Hawaii licenses electrologists under HRS chapter 448F through DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing. 600 hours at a licensed school, 800 by apprenticeship, or 700 combined. One written theory exam and no practical. Since 1 January 2026 it is PSI’s National Electrology test (PSI Hawaii bulletin v1.0, effective 15 Jan 2026): 50 scored + 10 unscored questions, 90 minutes, 75% to pass, $95, English only, at PSI test centers in Honolulu, Kahului, Kailua-Kona and Kapaa.
Until 2025 Hawaii examined electrologists on its own outline — seven domains with a 10% State Laws, Rules and Regulations block. PSI’s Hawaii bulletin (v1.0, effective 15 Jan 2026) replaces it: “Test takers will utilize the PSI National Electrology test” — Safety and Infection Control 40%, Client Consultation 10%, Hair and Skin Analysis 10%, Analysis and Treatment 24%, Electricity and Equipment 16%; 50 scored + 10 unscored questions in 90 minutes, 75% to pass, $95. There is no Hawaii-law domain on the new paper. NICPrep’s Hawaii electrology bank was built to the old outline; it has been rebuilt to the PSI National form and stays off sale until it is listed again.
Our PSI National bank is built to that form — the one California and seven other states sit. Hawaii has published no content outline of its own since the move, so check the Board’s exam page for any Hawaii-specific weights and read it alongside the prep.
2026 CIB changes, domain study tips, and new-modality launches — a few emails a month, no spam.