In the state of Hawaii, cosmetologists, HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? HELPFUL TIPS , estheticians, and nail technicians must be licensed as well as the Shops must display either a price list or a sign Got license? Make sure the person shops, salons, and spas in which they indicating a price list is available upon request. performing the service and the shop where the operate. Consumers should look for (1) a The price list should include the price of each services are being offered are currently conspicuously displayed license for the shop, and every service offered, and the price of licensed. Make sure the license classification salon, or spa; and (2) a conspicuously each and every product to be used in the is the right type for the service being displayed license for each operator. If you service. performed. don’t see a license, ask the service provider to Show me the money! Ask what’s included in show it to you. SANITATION the price of each service. Remember, a price list should be on display or available upon WHAT KIND OF LICENSE IS NEEDED? All beauty shops must be in full compliance request. with State public health and safety In Hawaii, there are four different designations requirements. These include: Before you begin, ask them to explain the of beauty operators: cosmetologists, service to you. Make sure you understand hairdressers, estheticians, and nail Sanitary facilities. All beauty shops what the service being performed entails and technicians. (including -dressing establishments, any possible side effects from the , hair-styling establishments, manicuring creams, or chemicals being used. Hairdressers work on hair. parlors, beauty parlors, and shops) must have adequate sanitary facilities, Talk to me… Keep the lines of Estheticians perform a variety of services including toilets, hot and cold running communication open. Don’t be afraid to ask if on the scalp and skin, like applying water, and sinks or wash basins. you have questions or to say something if makeup. Services also include cleansing, you’re experiencing discomfort. exfoliating, and removing unwanted hair Towels laundered. Towels and other And remember… by or other means, like . fabrics that come in contact with a (Note: An electrology license is required to customer’s skin or hair must be sanitized is the removal of unwanted remove hair by electrolysis). and laundered. and/or by use of a tiny needle or probe that conducts electric current. Nail technicians cut, trim, polish and Tools cleaned and sanitized. No beauty color fingernails and toenails, apply operator shall use , shears, Electrolysis should only be performed by a artificial fingernails and toenails and scissors, clippers, tweezers, and licensed electrologist. perform other related services. fingerbowls unless the item has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Waxing should only be performed by a Cosmetologists are licensed to provide licensed cosmetologist or esthetician. all services. REFERRALS Wax should be clean and sanitary. Instruments (sticks) should not be re-dipped. Not all practitioners perform all types of Looking for someone to provide services for services, so it’s important to make sure the the first time? Ask a friend for a Unlicensed activity and violations of Hawaii’s services offered match the license for the recommendation then check licensing and licensing laws are investigated by the Regulated individual offering to perform the services. If a complaint history with our office. Ask the Industries Complaints Office. To check licensing shop is offering a specific service, it must have provider if they’re familiar with and how often status, for information about hiring a licensed an appropriately licensed operator to perform they perform the service you’re asking about. professional, or for information about filing a the specific service being offered. Make sure both the shop and the operator are complaint, call the Consumer Resource Center at licensed to perform the service you’re asking 587-4274 or visit the State’s website at cca.hawaii.gov/rico/. about. RESOURCES BEFORE YOU SIGN, GO ON LINE The Department of Commerce and Consumer BEAUTY The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), and its Regulated Industries Affairs (DCCA) and its Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO), offer tools, tips, and SHOPS, Complaints Office (RICO) offer the following services you can use to check out an tools, tips and services you can use to check individual or business. Information is available out an individual or business: by calling (808) 587-4272 or online at SALONS, cca.hawaii.gov/rico/business_online. Professional and Vocational license AND SPAS search: Search for information about For information about filing a complaint or to professionals licensed by DCCA, including report unlicensed activity, call RICO’s beauty operators, cosmeticians, hairdressers, Consumer Resource Center at (808) 587-4272 manicurists, and the shops, salons, spas they or visit us online at cca.hawaii.gov/rico. work for.

RICO complaint history search: Search Neighbor island residents can dial the following Regulated Industries Complaints Office numbers then 7-4272 followed by the # sign: complaints information for information about complaints filed against licensees and for Kauai…………... 274-3141 information about unlicensed activity Maui……………. 984-2400 investigations. Hawaii…………. 974-4000 Office of Consumer Protection complaint Lanai & Molokai. 1-800-468-4644 history search: Search Office of Consumer ______Protection information for complaints about unfair and deceptive trade practices. RICO is the enforcement arm for over forty-five professional boards, commissions, and programs Business Registration name search: that are administratively attached to the Search for information about businesses Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. registered with the Business Registration RICO receives complaints, conducts Division. Look at: 1) when the business was investigations, and prosecutes licensing law violations. RICO also prosecutes unlicensed established, 2) the names of the people activity through the issuance of citations and by involved in the business, and 3) any previous filing civil lawsuits in the Circuit Courts. RICO names of the business. Names gathered from works to resolve consumer complaints where this search can be used to search for licensing appropriate and provides consumer education and complaints history information. about various issues relating to licensing and consumer protection. RICO also administers the Go to: cca.hawaii.gov/rico/business_online/ State Certified Arbitration Program (SCAP) for Regulated Industries Checking out a licensee or business on these “lemon” motor vehicle claims. sites isn’t a guarantee, but it’s a good step to Complaints Office take that can help you to determine if the This brochure is for informational purposes only and not licensee or business is qualified to handle intended for the purposes of providing legal advice. 235 S. Beretania Street, Ninth Floor your particular job. It’s also one of several Information provided is subject to change. Printed material Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 steps you can take to protect yourself against can be made available for individuals with special needs cca.hawaii.gov/rico in Braille, large print or audio tape. Submit requests to the (rev. 140201-BAR-Beauty Shops) unscrupulous or unqualified people. RICO Complaints and Enforcement Officer at 586-2666.