SB 1621 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO NAIL TECHNICIANS.

SB 1621 would exempt nail technicians from state licensing requirements. This change directly affects individuals working as nail technicians in Hawaii, removing a current regulatory barrier. The bill's key provision eliminates the need for these workers to obtain a state-issued license to practice. It does not alter other business or safety regulations for nail salons.

Tags: Licensing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB1621 → SB1621_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally changes the licensing landscape for nail technicians in Hawaii by removing their specific license category and exempting them from all licensing requirements. Previously, nail technicians needed a separate license with specific training hours; now, they are legally defined as cosmetologists and can practice without obtaining a distinct nail technician credential.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the cosmetology license to include nail technicians, effectively merging the two professions under one regulatory umbrella and eliminating the standalone 'nail technician' license.

REQUIREMENT

Deleted the requirement for nail technicians to obtain a separate license distinct from a cosmetology license.

Removed the specific definition and training hour requirements (700 hours apprentice or 350 hours school) that previously applied only to nail technicians.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'cosmetologist' to explicitly include nail technicians as a licensed practice.

Added nail technicians to the list of professions included in the definition of 'beauty operator'.

EXEMPTIONS

Established a legislative purpose to exempt nail technicians from licensing requirements entirely.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Recommitted to WAM.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Waived referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 445) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Richards, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-07-25 9:50AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to CPN, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

5 primary · 1 co-sponsor