Georgia Cosmetology License Requirements

This page provides information for Georgia license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and Georgia license reciprocity for when you need to transfer a license to this state or out of state. If available, we provide other useful information such as cosmetology school hours requirements, how to apply for additional license for professions like manicurists, nail technicians, instructors etc. If you did not find the answer you were looking for on this page or if you have questions or issues pertaining to cosmetology, then we recommend you contact the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.

Georgia Cosmetology License Verification

If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the Georgia Board of Cosmetology license verification website. From there you can search for the person or business and see if there are any disciplinary actions on record. This will allow you to make an informed decision about the person and or business providing your service.

Georgia Online Licensure Applications

You can now apply for the following licenses online. Click here to begin the online application process.

• Master Cosmetologist
• Nail Technician
• Hair Designer
• Esthetician
• Cosmetology Instructor
• Nail Tech Instructor
• Hair Designer Instructor
• Esthetician Instructor
• Cosmetology Apprentice
• Esthetician Apprentice
• Hair Designer Apprentice
• Nail Tech Apprentice
• Master Barber
• Barber Instructor
• Barber Apprentice

Renewing Georgia License

You will receive a courtesy reminder approximately six weeks prior to the expiration date of your license. However, it is your responsibility to renew your license every two years on or before the expiration date. Be sure to keep your mailing address and email address current with the Board. License expiration dates:

• Master Cosmetologists – March 31 of even numbered years
• Cosmetology Salons/Shops – June 30 of odd numbered years
• Cosmetology Instructors – June 30 of odd numbered years
• Cosmetology Schools – June 30 of odd numbered years
• Estheticians – August 31 of odd numbered years
• Esthetician Instructors – June 30 of odd numbered years
• Esthetician Schools – June 30 of odd numbered years
• Nail Technicians – August 31 of odd numbered years
• Nail Technician Instructors – June 30 of odd numbered years
• Nail Care Schools – June 30 of odd numbered years
• Hair Designers – September 30 of even numbered years
• Hair Design Instructors – September 30 of odd numbered years
• Hair Design Schools – September 30 of even numbered years
• Master Barber – December 31 of even numbered year
• Barber Instructor - June 30 of odd numbered year
• Barber Schools - June 30 of odd numbered year

Once the renewal period has been opened by the Professional Licensing Boards Division, you may renew your license online with a credit card. Click on the License Renewal icon and follow the instructions. You will be asked a series of questions including whether or not you have received a conviction or board sanction since the last renewal, whether or not you have completed your continuing education requirements, and whether or not you are a US citizen. Read the questions carefully so that you do not answer a question incorrectly by mistake. Renewing your license via the website is the fastest way to renew your license.

If you answer yes to the conviction or board sanction question, your license will not be renewed until you have submitted the required paperwork and it has been reviewed by the Board. For convictions you must submit to the Board the following:

• A copy of conviction/sentencing document(s) from the Court before which you were convicted and sentenced, signed by the presiding judge, and showing said conviction and sentence and
• If applicable, a statement (on official letterhead) from your probation/parole officer regarding your current status/completion of any probation / parole. For board sanctions you must request that the licensing board or agency send a certified copy of the action taken against your license with relevant supporting documents to the Board’s office

Paper renewals are not automatically mailed to licensees. A paper renewal form may be requested by the licensee either by calling the Board office at 478-207-2440, or requesting a form in writing from the Board office.

Can you start work after mailing in renewal and fees?

No. It does not suffice to have a copy of your renewal application and proof of payment to the Board. Your license must be current before you can work in Georgia. If a license is not renewed, the license is placed in lapsed-late renewal status for six months. An individual who continues to practice with an expired license is in violation of the law and may be subject to a fine, a public disciplinary action, and/or criminal prosecution. A license that is not renewed within the six months will become lapsed and will require an application for reinstatement.

Change Address on License

Individuals may change their address onling by clicking here or they can download a copy of the form and manually fill it out and submit to the address listed below.

Duplicate License Card Request

To request a duplicate license card, download a copy of the form, fill it out and enclose a check or money order in the amount of $25 made payable to the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers and mail to the address listed below. Salon/Shop or school licensees who are requesting a duplicate license are approved only for a lost or stolen license. A change of business name, address/location, or ownership requires a new application.

Update Name on License

To request to update the name on your license, download a copy of the form, fill it out and submit it to the address listed below. Please also attach a copy of a driver’s license, state issued ID card, passport, or social security card showing the new legal name.

Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217
Phone: 478-207-2440

If you cannot find the intructions/document you are looking for, then you can take a look at a list of available documents by clicking here.

Georgia Barber Endorsement/Reciprocity Requirements

The Georgia State Board of Barbers has Endorsement, and therefore, will accept licensees from other states with similar licensure requirements and having no disciplinary action against their license. The Georgia State Board of Barbers does not endorse licenses from Alabama, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, New York, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Washington. For all other states, endorsement may be granted or denied on an individual basis in accordance with the law.

Please note you must provide verification of licensure from each state/country of licensure. One of the license(s) must be active when you submit your application for endorsement. Also, the active license must be from a reciprocal state or country. Out of country applications require board review. All documents must be translated in English.
All Instructor endorsement applications must go before the board for approval. The Instructor must have been issued a Georgia master level license in their profession before he/she can apply to endorse an instructor license.

All licensees must take an examination or be licensed in by endorsement/reciprocity. Those that are licensed by endorsement must produce documentation that examinations were administered. All requests for certification/verification of a license must be requested in writing. Such requests must include your name, license number, and the name and address of the state board in which you are requesting that the certification/verification be sent. Please submit your written request along with the $25 fee to the Board office at the following address:

Georgia State Board of Barbers
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217

To request verification of school or apprentice training hours, download the Request for Verification of Training Hours form. Complete the form and submit it along with the $25 fee.

Georgia Barber Licensure by Examination

If you graduated from a barber school or if you completed an apprenticeship program in Georgia, you will need to contact PSI to register to take the examination. They will provide you with the applications, fees, exam content, dates and locations of examinations and grade notifications. Contact PSI using one of the following methods:

• Via the Internet 24 hours a day at www.psiexams.com
• Using a touch-tone phone, call PSI 24 hours a day at 800-733-9267

With a PSI registrar at 800-733-9267, available Monday through Friday, between 7:30am and 8pm and Saturday, between 11am and 5pm Eastern Time. Once you have taken and passed both sections of the examination, you may apply for a master barber's license. Applications for licensure may be found here. Please be advised that passing the written and practical examination does not guarantee licensure. All criminal convictions and board sanctions must be reviewed by the Board as a consideration for licensure. Incomplete applications will delay processing. Please review the checklist of items on your application. The Georgia State Board of Barbers does not accept school or apprentice hours from any other state.

If you fail one or both parts of Exam

You may retake only the portion failed. Contact PSI to register to retake the examination part(s) that you failed. Contact PSI using one of the following methods:

• Via the Internet 24 hours a day at www.psiexams.com
• Using a touch-tone phone, call PSI 24 hours a day at 800-733-9267

With a PSI registrar at 800-733-9267, available Monday through Friday, between 7:30am and 8pm and Saturday, between 11am and 5pm Eastern Time. There is no time frame or limit as to when and the number of times the exam may be taken. The application for examination lists possible examination dates and application deadlines. You may determine the week you would like to retake the exam, based on the exam deadlines.

Georgia Cosmetology School Hours

Obtaining a Georgia Licensure by Examination

If you graduated from a cosmetology school or if you completed an apprenticeship program in Georgia, you will need to contact PSI using one of the following methods:

• Via the Internet 24 hours a day at www.psiexams.com
• Using a touch-tone phone, call PSI 24 hours a day at 800-733-9267
• With a PSI registrar at 800-733-9267, available Monday through Friday, between 7:30am and 8pm and Saturday, between 11am and 5pm Eastern Time

Contact PSI about the examinations, fees, dates, locations, exam content and grade notifications. You can download the NIC Candidate Information Bulletins for Georgia from PSI here:

• Master Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Nail Care Technician, Hair Designer and Instructor
  Master Barber, Barber II and Instructor

After you have taken and passed both sections of the examination, you may apply with the Board for a cosmetology license. You may apply online on the website. If you cannot apply online, download an application for licensure. Submit the application along with the non-refundable application fee.

Passing the written and practical examination does not guarantee licensure. All criminal convictions and board sanctions must be reviewed by the Board as a consideration for licensure. You must submit to the Board the following:

• A copy of conviction/sentencing document(s) from the Court before which you were convicted and sentenced, signed by the presiding judge, and showing said conviction and sentence and
• If applicable, a statement (on official letterhead) from your probation/parole officer regarding your current status/completion of any probation/parole. If you are unable to obtain official documents showing completion of probation/parole, you must submit a signed and notarized sworn statement, along with the sentencing documents, that you have completed all of the requirements of your probation/parole. The Board will review the documents and notify in writing if additional information is required. Falsifying criminal arrest/convictions and sanctions against a professional license issued by any state may result in Board action such as fines, probation, or denial
• Incomplete applications will delay processing. Please review the checklist of items on your application

Instructor CE Requirements

All instructors seeking renewal of licenses must complete fifteen hours of Board approved continuing education, with at least half of the 15 hours in teaching techniques, lesson planning, or other advanced teacher training. There are no CE exemptions for instructors.

Hours Required For Continuing Education

In order to renew a license, each licensee must provide to the Board proof of completion a total of five continuing education (CE) hours in a form acceptable to the Board as follows:

• Three hours of the total five hours must be satisfied by a course in health and safety developed or approved by the Board. A health and safety course or program that meets or exceeds the three hours that has been developed and offered through a college, university department, or division of continuing education of the Department of Education, the Technical College System of Georgia, the Board of Regents, or The American Red Cross may be accepted by the Board without prior approval and
• Two hours of the total five hours must be in a course previously registered with the Board in any of the following areas:
  • Industry or trade show
  • Health and safety
  • Industry trends
  • Computer skills
  • Business management
  • The area of practice for the type of license held by the licensee

If audited, the licensee shall submit written proof from the CE provider of attendance and/or completion of each CE course submitted for credit.

How to Obtain Continuing Education Hours

Your continuing education provider must be registered with the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers in order for you to receive continuing education credit. A list of approved continuing education providers may be found on the Board's website under the tab titled Education & Exams.

Qualifying for a Waiver of the CE Requirements

The first time you renew your license you are not required to meet the CE requirements. Every renewal after that, you must complete five hours of continuing education every two years in order to renew your license for master cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician or hair designer. Master Barber, Barber II, and Barber Instructor licenses are exempt from CE requirements until the 2018 renewal year and will be required every two years thereafter.
A licensee who has held a license for 25 years or longer is eligible for a waiver of the continuing education requirement.

Or A licensee who can prove to the Board that he or she has a hardship may request a waiver. The waiver request form may be downloaded here. Reinstatement applications are not eligible for a waiver of continuing education. Georgia law O.C.G.A. 43-10-10 requires documentation must be submitted for all required continuing education hours since the date the license lapsed. Additional information may be found on the reinstatement application. The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers cannot waive this statutory requirement.