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Georgia cosmetology license — 1 training hours, written and practical exams, fees ($139), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-04-03. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Cosmetologist
Governing Authority
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers | Georgia Secretary of State
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
76% of data points are verified against official sources. 5 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
Renewal Cycle
Gov. Fees
Get your personalized Georgia Cosmetologist roadmap — week-by-week plan, budget, & checklist. — plan, budget, & checklist.
Get My Free RoadmapApplication Fee
$30
Initial license application fee
Exam Fee
$109
Theory exam ($45) + practical exam ($64)
License Fee
Included in $30 application fee
Education / Training Cost
$8,000–$22,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Georgia requires 1,500 hours, and program costs vary by school. Apprenticeship may be a lower-cost alternative.
Renewal Fee
$50
Every 2 years
CE Hours Required
5 hours
Per 2 years renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
2 years
CE Details
5 hrs per 2-year cycle after first renewal; 3hr health/sa...
5 hrs per 2-year cycle after first renewal; 3hr health/safety + 2hr elective
Renewal Fee
$50
Be at least 17 years old with a high school diploma, GED, or higher education degree
Complete 1,500 hours of training at a licensed cosmetology school (minimum 9 months) or 3,000 hours of apprenticeship (minimum 18 months)
Submit initial license application and $30 fee to the Georgia Secretary of State
Schedule and pass the theory examination ($45) through PSI
Schedule and pass the practical examination ($64) through PSI
Application processing takes approximately 15 business days
Receive your Master Cosmetologist license
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
High school diploma, GED diploma, or a postsecondary education or college degree
Residency
No residency requirement; out-of-state applicants may apply by endorsement
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a cosmetology license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1 hours
Cosmetology school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
3 hours required
3,000 apprenticeship hours over a minimum of 18 months as an alternative to the 1,500 school hours over 9 months minimum. Apprentice sponsors must hold a license for at least 36 months. Apprentice licenses issued after July 1, 2015 are valid for 4 years with no renewals.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified
Curriculum Includes
You can also compare approved cosmetology schools in Georgia or see our picks for the best cosmetology programs in Georgia.
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Once licensed, master cosmetologists can provide hair, skin, and nail services in salons or independently. Services include hair cutting, styling, coloring, chemical texture services, skin care, facials, makeup application, manicures, pedicures, and other beauty services. All cosmetology services shall only be performed on intact, healthy scalp, skin, and nails.
Georgia Cosmetology Theory Examination
Computer-based multiple-choice exam with a 15-minute tutorial followed by 90 minutes to answer 100 graded questions. Covers sanitation procedures, hair science, chemical services, skin care theory, nail technology, and Georgia cosmetology laws and regulations.
Georgia Cosmetology Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of cosmetology skills in hair cutting, styling, chemical services, skin care, and nail services.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 37/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Cosmetology State Board Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial license application fee | |
Exam Fee Theory exam ($45) + practical exam ($64) | |
License Fee | |
Total Government Fees Application fee ($30) + theory exam ($45) + practical exam ($64) |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $8,000–$22,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Georgia requires 1,500 hours, and program costs vary by school. Apprenticeship may be a lower-cost alternative.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Initial License Term
2 years (expires March 31 of even-numbered years); Late-Renewal Period is April 1–April 30
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Renewal Fee
$50
Continuing Education
5 hours — 5 hrs per 2-year cycle after first renewal; 3hr health/safety + 2hr elective
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
Georgia offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state cosmetologists. However, Georgia does NOT reciprocate with California, Florida, Hawaii, or New York. Applicants from those states may need to pass additional exams.
Additional Requirements: Applicants from CA, FL, HI, and NY are excluded from standard reciprocity and may need to take exams. Must provide proof of current, active license in good standing.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Skin care, facials, and related services
Manicures, pedicures, and nail services
Hair cutting, shaving, and barbering services
Georgia is one of the few states that uses the title 'Master Cosmetologist' for its standard cosmetology license. It requires applicants to be 17 (not 16) and hold a high school diploma or GED, which is more restrictive than many states. Georgia also specifically excludes California, Florida, Hawaii, and New York from reciprocity agreements.
Georgia uses the title 'Master Cosmetologist' for its full cosmetology license.
Georgia also offers a 'Hair Designer' license for those who only want to provide hair services (not skin or nails).
Apprentice sponsors must have held their license for at least 36 months.
Apprentice licenses issued after July 1, 2015 are valid for 4 years with no renewals allowed.
Georgia does not reciprocate with CA, FL, HI, or NY.
The Board is located in Macon, GA (not Atlanta), at 237 Coliseum Drive.
Cosmetologist Schools in Georgia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia (you) | $139 | 56–93 wks | |
| Alabama | $285 | 56–93 wks | → |
| Florida | $95.25 | 46–78 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $138–$148 | 56–93 wks | → |
| South Carolina | $162 | 56–93 wks | → |
See how Georgia compares: Cosmetologist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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How does Georgia compare to other states for cosmetologist? See the full comparison →
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Study guides and practice tests for the cosmetology licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in Georgia
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Georgia.
PSI scheduling URL
Accessed 2026-02-24
Moving to Georgia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to Georgia →
Transfer your Cosmetologist license from Georgia to: Alabama → | Florida → | North Carolina → | South Carolina → | Tennessee →