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Introduction
The island state of Hawaii had a population of 1,360,301 according to the US Census 2010. Its natural beauty, warm tropical climate, water bodies and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists, surfers and geologists. Beauty services are still evolving in this region. Nail technology services are just getting more popular too.
Licensure Information
The State of Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, part of the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, is in charge of regulating cosmetology and allied services in the state. Nail Technicians should have received 350 hours of training and an additional 700 hours of licensed apprenticeship to be eligible to apply for a license. The Board has no reciprocity arrangements with other states, meaning anyone who wants to practise as a nail technician in Hawaii should take the examination to get a license. The examination is closed book and comprises multiple choice questions, all weighted equally.More details can had from www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl.
Where to study?
Hawaii map
The Board stipulations make it mandatory for an aspiring nail technician in Hawaii to undergo an approved training program. As nail technology is an evolving occupation in Hawaii, you may not find as many nail technician schools in Hawaii as in another more developed state such as, say Florida. There however exist a few accredited schools that offer training in nail technology. Of these, the following are the main ones.
1. Honolulu Nail Academy, Honolulu
This school, as the name suggests, is a pure nail technology training center. Its nail technician program is of 350 hours duration including theory and practical work. The school also conducts continuing education training for license renewal and skill upgradation purposes.
2. ISBE Hawaii, Honolulu
ISBE Hawaii offers several beauty courses such as Makeup Artistry (Cosemotology), Esthetician and Massage Therapy in addition to their nail technician program. ISBE’s regular nail technician course prepares students to appear for the State Board’s licensing examination. Flexible schedules and weekend classes help students pace the program at their convenience. Advanced and short duration courses of one to four weeks duration are also conducted by this school.
3. Paradise Nails and Hair, Honolulu
This beauty salon-cum-beauty school offers a variety of cosmetology programs including a 350 hours license preparatory program in nail technology.
4. Paul Brown Institute of Beauty and Wellness Technologies (at Remington College), Honolulu
Part of the Paul Brown network, this school boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure and expert faculty. Financial aid is available to students who qualify for their program. The school requires a high school diploma, general education diploma (GED) or equivalent to be eligible for admission to the program. A standardized entrance examination is also conducted for student selection for those with less than an associate’s degree.
The above are the main schools offering nail technician programs in Hawaii and all of them are located in Honolulu. As the beauty services sector grows further, it is expected that more schools too will open here to supply the required manpower to them.
