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Hawaii Cosmetology License Exam Cram Sheet (2026)
The highest-yield points on the Hawaii Cosmetology Licenseexam, grouped by the exam's real content areas. Print it, review the ones you keep missing, then drill them with free practice questions.
10content areas
Infection Control & Safety
15% of the exam- The Three Levels of Decontamination
- EPA-Registered Disinfectants and Contact Time
- Pathogens, Precautions, and Blood Spills
Hair Care & Cutting
20% of the exam- Structure of the Hair
- The Hair Growth Cycle
- Cutting Fundamentals: Elevation, Angle, and Line
Chemical Services (Color, Perms, Relaxers)
18% of the exam- pH and the Hair
- Oxidative Haircolor and Lighteners
- Perms vs. Relaxers, and Required Tests
Skin Care & Facials
12% of the exam- Layers of the Skin
- Common Skin Conditions
- The Basic Facial
Nail Care
10% of the exam- Nail Anatomy
- Disorders vs. Diseases
- Sanitation in Nail Services
Anatomy, Physiology & Trichology
10% of the exam- Bones and Muscles of the Head and Neck
- Nerves of the Face and Neck
- Trichology: The Study of Hair
Cosmetology Chemistry & Electricity
8% of the exam- Matter, Mixtures, and Emulsions
- The pH Scale in Cosmetology
- Electricity in the Salon
Salon Ecology & Professional Practices
7% of the exam- Salon Ecology and a Healthy Environment
- Chemical Safety and Safety Data Sheets
- Professionalism and Ethics
Hawaii Laws, Rules & Licensing
60% of the exam- In Hawaii, cosmetology is regulated by the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- It operates as a board within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division.
- The board sets the rules for licensing, sanitation, and professional conduct, and it can investigate complaints and discipline licensees.
- Statutes and administrative rules—not individual salons—define what practitioners may legally do.
- The board issues distinct credentials such as cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, and manicurist (nail technician) licenses.
- Each license defines a scope of practice; you may only perform services your license authorizes.
- Practicing without a valid license, or beyond your scope, is prohibited and subject to discipline.
- Salon/shop and individual practitioner credentials are separate—registering a salon does not license its workers.
- Keep your current license displayed or available at your work station as the board requires.
- Licenses are issued for a set term and must be periodically renewed to remain valid.
- Renewing on time and meeting any continuing-education the board requires keeps a license active.
- Prohibited acts include unlicensed practice, exceeding scope, fraud, and unsanitary conditions.
- Do not present unpublished figures (hours, fees, exam length, passing score) as official—verify them with the board.
Hawaii Health & Safety Rules
40% of the exam- Clean all reusable implements of hair and debris before disinfecting them.
- Disinfect hard, non-porous tools with an EPA-registered disinfectant used at the correct dilution and full contact time.
- Immerse combs, shears, and clips fully; disinfect clippers with an approved spray or wipe, not immersion.
- Store disinfected tools clean and dry in a covered container, separate from soiled implements.
- Discard porous single-use items (emery boards, wooden sticks, neck strips) after one client.
- Use freshly laundered towels and linens for each client.
- Dispense powders, creams, and lotions with a clean spatula or shaker, never with fingers.
- Keep work surfaces, chairs, and shampoo bowls clean and disinfected between clients.
- Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
- If a cut occurs, stop, put on single-use gloves, and control the bleeding.
- Clean then disinfect any blood-contaminated surfaces and implements; discard contaminated single-use items.
- Place used razor blades and other sharps in a proper sharps container.
Now prove you know them
Reading the outline is not the same as recalling it under exam pressure. Drill 38+ free Hawaii Cosmetology License practice questions to find your weak areas, then sit a full timed mock — no signup, no paywall.
Study aid, not a substitute for the official material — always confirm the current rule with Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Last verified: August 2026.