Hawaii esthetician exam
NIC national examWhat it takes to get licensed as a beauty operator – esthetician (esthetician classification of the beauty operator license) in Hawaii, from the state's official board and exam vendor.
- License
- Beauty Operator – Esthetician (esthetician classification of the beauty operator license)
- Training hours
- 600 (beauty school) or 1,200 apprenticeship hours; a third pathway accepts 1 year of licensed out-of-state experience
- Written exam
- NIC national exam
- Exam vendor
- PSI (effective January 1, 2026; previously Prometric)
Exam details & notes
Written theory only — no practical exam. The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (DCCA PVL) approves candidates for the 'Esthetics Theory' exam; the official Dec-2025 application refers to it as the '(NIC) Esthetics Theory examination' and accepts prior NIC pass reports, so content is the NIC national esthetics theory exam. PSI took over administration from Prometric on 1/1/2026 (register at test-takers.psiexams.com/hitrade); format follows the NIC CIB (NIC standard is ~110 MCQs/90 min — Hawaii does not publish its own count). Unusual: $40 temporary permit lets applicants work under supervision while awaiting the exam; HRS 439 uses the umbrella 'beauty operator' license with esthetician as a classification.
Preparing for the Hawaii exam
PrepTempo's Esthetician course covers the NIC national theory core — infection control, skin sciences, skin analysis, and treatments. That's exactly what Hawaii's NIC exam tests. Study your Hawaii law-and-rules section from the board on top of the core.
Start the Esthetician course →Official sources
Educational information only, researched July 2026 — not legal or licensing advice. Requirements change; confirm with the Hawaii board. PrepTempo is not affiliated with any state board, the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), or any exam vendor, and they do not endorse this product.