All states · Hawaii
Licensing in Hawaii
In Hawaii, licenses are issued by Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) under the DCCA through state boards: the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, Board of Massage Therapy, Board of Nursing, Contractors License Board, and Board of Electricians and Plumbers.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | School | Apprenticeship |
|---|---|---|
| Beauty Operator — Cosmetologist | 1,800 hours | 3,600 hours |
| Beauty Operator — Hairdresser | 1,250 hours | 2,500 hours |
| Beauty Operator — Esthetician | 600 hours | 1,200 hours |
| Beauty Operator — Nail Technician | 350 hours | 700 hours |
| Barber | 1,500 hours | 3,000 hours |
- Cosmetologist, hairdresser, esthetician and nail technician are categories of one Beauty Operator license. School and apprenticeship can be combined: 2 apprenticeship hours = 1 school hour.
- The exam is through Prometric. Licenses renew by December 31 of odd years; no CE is required. There is no reciprocity with other states.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Therapist | 570 hours | State exam (PSI) | June 30 of even years | 12 per 2 years |
- The MBLEx and other states’ exams are not accepted. Instead of school, an apprenticeship (420 practical hours) plus 150 hours of coursework is possible. Current CPR certification is required.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Hawaii Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Hawaii Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | DCCA PVL | State exam |
- Hawaii is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact: nurses from other states need a Hawaii license.
- RN and LPN licenses renew by June 30 of odd years.
| License | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| General Engineering Contractor (A) | Contractors License Board | Work over $1,000 |
| General Building Contractor (B) | Contractors License Board | Work over $1,000 |
| Specialty Contractor (C) | Contractors License Board | Subclasses C-1 – C-68 |
| Journey Worker / Supervising Electrician | Board of Electricians and Plumbers | State licenses |
| Journey Worker Plumber, Master Plumber | Board of Electricians and Plumbers | State licenses |
- Work of $1,000 or less needs no license unless a building permit is required or it is part of a larger project. Contractor licenses renew by September 30 of even years.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| General Excise Tax License | Department of Taxation | Required; one-time $20 fee |
| Massage Establishment | Board of Massage Therapy | Establishment license |
| LLC | Business Registration Division (DCCA) | Form LLC-1 — $50; annual report — $15 |
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
Learn about the program- Tests in the real exam format
- An explanation for every answer
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Hawaii specifics
- One Beauty Operator license. Categories: cosmetologist, hairdresser, esthetician, nails.
- Apprenticeship takes twice as long. For example, 3,600 hours instead of 1,800.
- A state massage exam. The MBLEx is not accepted.
- Massage — 570 hours. Partly possible through apprenticeship.
- Contractor — over $1,000. Class A, B and C licenses.
- GET tax license. Required to do business, $20 fee.
What professionals earn in Hawaii
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. BLS does not publish barber or esthetician data for Hawaii.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a cosmetologist need?
1,800 school hours or 3,600 apprenticeship hours, then the Prometric exam.
Do massage therapists need CE?
Yes, 12 hours per 2 years: 2 in first aid/CPR, 10 in massage.
When do beauty licenses renew?
By December 31 of odd years. No CE is required.
Do I need a license for a small repair job?
Work of $1,000 or less is exempt unless a building permit is required or it is part of a larger project.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: Hawaii Professional and Vocational Licensing (DCCA), Hawaii Board of Nursing, Hawaii Contractors License Board, Hawaii Department of Taxation, Hawaii Business Registration Division. Wage data — BLS.