georgia licensing requirements
Licenses Available: Cosmetologist, Barber, Esthetician, Nail Technician, Massage Therapist
Required Hours:
Barber: 1500 Hours
Cosmetology: 1500 Hours
Esthetician: 1000 Hours
Nail Technician: 525 Hours
Apprentice Equivalents Available, see Web Site
Minimum Requirements: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age and of good moral character.
Reciprocity: Reciprocity without examination. Must hold a current license from another state of which the requirements are equal or greater than those of Georgia's. Georgia does not accept hours from others states therefore applicants may not take the State Board tests in Georgia if they have completed hours in another jurisdiction. Only licensed indiviuals may apply for licensure in Georgia.
Applicants must sumit:
- NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE:
$50 – Cosmetologist/Nail Technician/Esthetician/Hair Designer
The payment must be made by check or money order payable to the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology.
DO NOT SEND CASH OR COUNTER CHECKS. Checks returned for insufficient funds are subject to a $40.00 service charge pursuant to O.C.G.A.§16-9-20.
- NOTARIZED APPLICATION: The complete application must be mailed to the
Board’s office at the address listed above, along with your FEE
- OTHER STATE LICENSURE CERTIFICATION: If you are or have ever been licensed in another state, please have that state(s) officially certify that license to the Georgia Board’s office. A letter of certification from EACH state in which you were issued a licensed must be sent.
- EDUCATION: All applicants are required to present proof of high school graduation, or
GED, or a postsecondary education, or a college degree (copy of high school of college transcript).
- MASTER LEVEL REQUIRED TRAINING:
Cosmetologists: 1,500 hours (school) of at least nine months’ duration
3,000 hours (apprentice) of at least eighteen months’ duration
Estheticians 1,000 hours (school) of at least nine months’ duration
2,000 hours (apprentice) of at least eighteen months’ duration
Nail Technicians: 525 hours (school) of at least four months’ duration
1,050 hours (apprentice) of at least eight months’ duration
Hair Designer: 1,325 hours (school) of at least seven months’ duration
2,650 hours (apprentice) of at least fourteen months’ duration
- PHOTOGRAPH: A full-face (approximately 2x2) photograph taken within one year
before the submission of the application.
- CITIZENSHIP: If not a U.S. citizen, please attach documentation and complete form to determine qualified alien status.
- SUBMIT APPLICATION IN A 9X12 or LARGER ENVELOPE – Do not staple pages or check/money order. Do not fold pages of the application.
Download the Reciprocity Application (License by Endorsement) (.pdf)
All supporting documentation should be sent from the source to address listed below:
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217-3858
(478) 207-1430
Written Provider: NIC DL Roope Administrations
Practical Provider: NIC DL Roope Administrations
Practical Exam Required: Yes
Renewal: $30 every 2 years
