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COSM Technical Standards

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Our program technical standards have been developed to help students understand the minimum essential mental, physical, and behavioral skills necessary for participation in and completion of all core aspects of our curriculum.

  General Specific
Thinking Skills Use scientific and cosmetic concepts and theories to perform salon work safely and appropriately.
  • Read and apply information from lectures, textbooks, and handouts.
  • Follow Hawaii State Cosmetology Board Rules and Regulations.
  • Apply basics of hygiene, sanitation and safety in personal practices.
  • Apply basics of bacteriology, sterilization, and disinfection in salon practices.
  • Apply fundamentals of hair, skin and nail structure, and chemistry.
  • Detect and handle skin disorders safely and correctly.
  • Analyze product ingredients for proper uses.
  • Measure and calculate correct amounts of products.
  • Analyze hair and skin and prescribe appropriate services and products.
  • Apply color theory to achieve desired effect.
Sensory/Observation Skills Use sensory cues to assess clients’ needs, treatments, and services.
  • Examine hair and skin prior to contact for evidence of disorders.
  • Detect slight differences in color or form.
  • Apply make-up, treatments, or hair removal techniques to clients’ faces.
  • Observe and replicate teacher-demonstrated procedures and techniques.
Motor Skills Possess sufficient mobility and dexterity to do precise and aesthetically pleasing work.
  • Operate salon tools, equipment, and materials safely.
  • Use proper salon techniques.
  • Position and maneuver while servicing salon clients.
  • Work at varying levels.
  • Perform chemical treatments from start to finish within prescribed time constraints for safety purposes.
  • Lift and transport materials and equipment as necessary.
Communication Skills Communicate effectively with clients and co-workers to gather and convey information.
  • Obtain necessary information from oral and written sources.
  • Express information coherently.
  • Document work accurately.
Behavioral Skills Behave appropriately in both self-directed and shared learning environments.
  • Work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Work cooperatively with partners and groups.
  • Follow through with responsibilities.
  • Work diligently and put in necessary time to complete tasks.
  • Persist on difficult tasks.
  • Exercise good judgement.
Environmental Tolerance Function safely in a salon environment.
  • Work for prolonged periods amidst: Sharp tools, Electrical equipment, Chemicals and toxins, Dust, heat, fumes, and odors

Disability Accommodations

We have developed our technical standards in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. We will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. If you are interested in our program, we encourage you to review these technical standards and course information at to decide whether this program is right for you.

If you have questions about this program, please call the Honolulu CC Counseling Office at 845-9129. Individuals with hearing impairments may call 845-9270 (v/t) or use the Telecommunication Relay Service at 1-877-447-5990.

If you have questions about disability access and accommodations, please direct them to Honolulu CC's Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 845-9282 (v/t), 845-9272 (v/t), or e-mail accesshcc-l@lists.hawaii.edu