Hawaii license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Hawaii
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Hawaii: when each expires, the renewal fee, the continuing education it needs, and what to do if you renew late or the license has lapsed. Every answer comes from the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | None required | $146 | Every 2 years | $171 |
| Barber | None required | $146 | Every 2 years | $196 |
| Nail technician | None required | $146 | Every 2 years | $171 |
| Esthetician | None required | $146 | Every 2 years | $171 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $73 a year, renewing costs more than the $32.50 a year typical across the states; it is one of 7 states whose board says no continuing education is required.
Cosmetologist (Beauty Operator (Cosmetologist category))
Hawaii cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- $146 ($73 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew a beauty operator license, including the cosmetologist category.
- Late renewal
- $171A license not renewed by December 31 is considered forfeited; restoring an active beauty operator license costs $171.00 and requires all delinquent fees plus a penalty fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA forfeited license can be restored within three years after forfeiture by paying all delinquent fees and a penalty fee; after three years the person must apply as a new applicant, and the board may require the examination.
Barber
Hawaii barber license renewal
Renewed through the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- $146 ($73 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew a barber license.
- Late renewal
- $196A license not renewed by December 31 is considered forfeited; restoring an active barber license costs $196.00 and requires all delinquent fees plus a penalty fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA forfeited license can be restored within three years after forfeiture by paying all delinquent fees and a penalty fee; after three years the person must apply as a new applicant, and the board may require the examination.
Nail technician (Beauty Operator (Nail Technician category))
Hawaii nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- $146 ($73 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew a beauty operator license, including the nail technician category.
- Late renewal
- $171A license not renewed by December 31 is considered forfeited; restoring an active beauty operator license costs $171.00 and requires all delinquent fees plus a penalty fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA forfeited license can be restored within three years after forfeiture by paying all delinquent fees and a penalty fee; after three years the person must apply as a new applicant, and the board may require the examination.
Esthetician (Beauty Operator (Esthetician category))
Hawaii esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- $146 ($73 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew a beauty operator license, including the esthetician category.
- Late renewal
- $171A license not renewed by December 31 is considered forfeited; restoring an active beauty operator license costs $171.00 and requires all delinquent fees plus a penalty fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA forfeited license can be restored within three years after forfeiture by paying all delinquent fees and a penalty fee; after three years the person must apply as a new applicant, and the board may require the examination.
Good to know
What else Hawaii says about renewing
- A license not renewed by its expiration date is unlicensed and may not practice.
- Beauty operator licenses must be restored by hardcopy; only barber licenses can be restored online.
- Cosmetologist, nail technician and esthetician are categories of one beauty operator license.
Sources
What Hawaii's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026. Fees and deadlines change: confirm with the board before you renew.
- Cosmetologist: renewal period
“(a) The holder of a barber, beauty operator, beauty instructor, barber shop, or beauty shop license issued by the board shall biennially, on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year, renew the license and pay the renewal fee.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Beauty Operator (BEO) - active status - $146.00”
cca.hawaii.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“No, a beauty operator does not have to take any continuing education in”
cca.hawaii.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“A license that has not been renewed shall be considered forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “A forfeited license shall be restored upon payment of all delinquent fees and a penalty fee if application is made within three years after the license is forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “Beauty Operator (BEO) - active status $171.00”
cca.hawaii.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“A forfeited license shall be restored upon payment of all delinquent fees and a penalty fee if application is made within three years after the license is forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “Thereafter, the person shall apply as a new applicant and the board may require the person to take and pass the examination.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov - Barber: renewal period
“(a) The holder of a barber, beauty operator, beauty instructor, barber shop, or beauty shop license issued by the board shall biennially, on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year, renew the license and pay the renewal fee.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Barber (BAR) - active status - $146.00”
cca.hawaii.gov - Barber: continuing education
“No, a barber does not have to take any continuing education in”
cca.hawaii.gov - Barber: late renewal
“A license that has not been renewed shall be considered forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “A forfeited license shall be restored upon payment of all delinquent fees and a penalty fee if application is made within three years after the license is forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “Barber (BAR) - active status $196.00”
cca.hawaii.gov - Barber: expired license
“A forfeited license shall be restored upon payment of all delinquent fees and a penalty fee if application is made within three years after the license is forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “Thereafter, the person shall apply as a new applicant and the board may require the person to take and pass the examination.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“(a) The holder of a barber, beauty operator, beauty instructor, barber shop, or beauty shop license issued by the board shall biennially, on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year, renew the license and pay the renewal fee.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Beauty Operator (BEO) - active status - $146.00”
cca.hawaii.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“No, a beauty operator does not have to take any continuing education in”
cca.hawaii.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“A license that has not been renewed shall be considered forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “A forfeited license shall be restored upon payment of all delinquent fees and a penalty fee if application is made within three years after the license is forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “Beauty Operator (BEO) - active status $171.00”
cca.hawaii.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“A forfeited license shall be restored upon payment of all delinquent fees and a penalty fee if application is made within three years after the license is forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “Thereafter, the person shall apply as a new applicant and the board may require the person to take and pass the examination.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“(a) The holder of a barber, beauty operator, beauty instructor, barber shop, or beauty shop license issued by the board shall biennially, on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year, renew the license and pay the renewal fee.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Beauty Operator (BEO) - active status - $146.00”
cca.hawaii.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“No, a beauty operator does not have to take any continuing education in”
cca.hawaii.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“A license that has not been renewed shall be considered forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “A forfeited license shall be restored upon payment of all delinquent fees and a penalty fee if application is made within three years after the license is forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “Beauty Operator (BEO) - active status $171.00”
cca.hawaii.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“A forfeited license shall be restored upon payment of all delinquent fees and a penalty fee if application is made within three years after the license is forfeited.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov “Thereafter, the person shall apply as a new applicant and the board may require the person to take and pass the examination.”
data.capitol.hawaii.gov - Also good to know
“Licenses not renewed by license expiration date are unlicensed and may not practice.”
cca.hawaii.gov - Also good to know
“Restore Online (BAR only): BEO, BAS, BSH and I must restore by hardcopy only”
cca.hawaii.gov - Also good to know
“The Beauty Operator license has 4 licensure categories.”
cca.hawaii.gov
Questions
Hawaii license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Beauty Operator (Cosmetologist category) license renews every 2 years for $146, through the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. When it expires: On December 31 of each odd-numbered year. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a beauty operator license, including the cosmetologist category. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Hawaii cosmetology license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a beauty operator license, including the cosmetologist category.
What happens if my Hawaii cosmetology license expires?
A license not renewed by December 31 is considered forfeited; restoring an active beauty operator license costs $171.00 and requires all delinquent fees plus a penalty fee. A forfeited license can be restored within three years after forfeiture by paying all delinquent fees and a penalty fee; after three years the person must apply as a new applicant, and the board may require the examination.
How do I renew my barber license in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Barber license renews every 2 years for $146, through the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. When it expires: On December 31 of each odd-numbered year. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a barber license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Hawaii barber license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a barber license.
What happens if my Hawaii barber license expires?
A license not renewed by December 31 is considered forfeited; restoring an active barber license costs $196.00 and requires all delinquent fees plus a penalty fee. A forfeited license can be restored within three years after forfeiture by paying all delinquent fees and a penalty fee; after three years the person must apply as a new applicant, and the board may require the examination.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Beauty Operator (Nail Technician category) license renews every 2 years for $146, through the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. When it expires: On December 31 of each odd-numbered year. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a beauty operator license, including the nail technician category. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Hawaii nail technician license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a beauty operator license, including the nail technician category.
What happens if my Hawaii nail technician license expires?
A license not renewed by December 31 is considered forfeited; restoring an active beauty operator license costs $171.00 and requires all delinquent fees plus a penalty fee. A forfeited license can be restored within three years after forfeiture by paying all delinquent fees and a penalty fee; after three years the person must apply as a new applicant, and the board may require the examination.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Beauty Operator (Esthetician category) license renews every 2 years for $146, through the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. When it expires: On December 31 of each odd-numbered year. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a beauty operator license, including the esthetician category. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Hawaii esthetician license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a beauty operator license, including the esthetician category.
What happens if my Hawaii esthetician license expires?
A license not renewed by December 31 is considered forfeited; restoring an active beauty operator license costs $171.00 and requires all delinquent fees plus a penalty fee. A forfeited license can be restored within three years after forfeiture by paying all delinquent fees and a penalty fee; after three years the person must apply as a new applicant, and the board may require the examination.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Hawaii: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Hawaii
- Running your own salon in Hawaii: the salon license
- What Hawaii inspectors check in a salon
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