Hawaii is a special state in many ways. Who wouldn’t want to be a barber in a state with year-round warmth and sun! Even though there aren’t a lot of schools (though not as many as a state like Georgia) at which to get your training licensing requirements are still in place. Read on to find out how to get certified as a barber in Hawaii.

Hawaii can be a pretty sweet place to study barbering!
Punaluu Beach Park [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Hawaii’s Education Requirements & Choosing Among Barber Schools

To become a barber in the state you’ll need at least 1,500 hours of schooling. Most of those hours will be spent in practical training but a significant portion of time is also (up to 300 hours) spent in theory. Yes, it is no longer ok – like it was in the past – to just set up shop without any real education or license.

These days you need a lot of knowledge about things like anatomy, state laws, and recognizing scalp conditions and diseases. Use the app below to find a school:

On the practical side you will learn many hair-cutting techniques but there are also several other areas that your program will cover including:

  • Shaving and facials
  • Keeping your work area and barber tools clean and sterile
  • Shaving & care of facial hair
  • Hair coloring
  • … etc, etc…

Keep in mind that learning doesn’t end with graduation from school. You’ll always be learning and refining your skills.

Hawaii Barber License Procedure

Once you have graduated you’ll still need to get your license before seeking employment.

First off, you’ll need to actually apply for the exams and license. This requires filling out the state board‘s form, paying a fee, and proving that you have successfully completed your program.

Testing includes only a theory exam. Many other states have a practical that tests you on your skills and sanitation procedures, but not so in Hawaii. It is assumed that since you successfully graduated from an approved institute that you are competent.

The written exam won’t cover anything you haven’t already studied, but still there is an information bulletin so that you know what you are getting into.

Moving From Out-of-State?

To get licensed when moving from another state you’ll need to prove that you’ve had sufficient training, and also show that you have been working for at least 6 months.

The state board has forms that you need to fill out and a fee that you need to pay to get your Hawaii license. You may have to the take the HI barbering exams.

Hawaii Barber License Renewal

Your certification will expire every two years, so you must renew it at the end of year ending with odd numbers — example 2021, 2023, 2025, etc. Be sure to keep your mailing address up-to-date so that the state board can mail you your renewal application.

Barber Jobs in Hawaii

Ideally you will find work with a salon or rent a chair to get the hang of the business. Once you are comfortable and have worked up a clientele and salary, you can venture out on your own to open your own salon.

The state board again requires more paperwork and money to do this, but does not require you to take further course like some states do.

Hawaii Barber Schools Compared

Name Address Costs: Tuition + Fees
Hawaii Institute of Hair Design1128 Nuuanu Avenue, Ste. 102
Honolulu 96817
$13,200 tuition and fees
Paul Mitchell1123-11th Avenue #102, Honolulu 96816$$$$ Paul Mitchell Schools are known to be some of the most expensive in the country!

Did we miss any Hawaii schools for barbering? Please contact us to let us know.

Other Hawaii schools for estheticians, cosmetologists and nail techs.

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