Georgia Cosmetology License 2026: Apply, Renew & Verify

Georgia license guide • verified September 28, 2026

Georgia Cosmetology License: Apply, Renew, Verify & Use GOALS

Georgia’s State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers regulates cosmetologists, hair designers, estheticians, nail technicians, barbers, instructors, salons and schools. GOALS handles most license services, PSI administers the Board-approved written and practical examinations, and CE Broker now records required continuing education for covered licensees.

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Quick Answer: How to Get a Georgia Master Cosmetologist License

The standard school route requires 1,500 hours over at least nine months. The registered apprenticeship route requires 3,000 hours over at least 18 months. After training, applicants must pass both the written and practical examinations with at least 70% on each section, then submit the Master Cosmetologist licensing application with the required records and fees.

School route1,500 hours

Apprenticeship3,000 hours

Exam score70% each

Later renewals5 CE hours

2026 status: Master Cosmetologist licenses expired March 31, 2026. The published late-renewal period ended April 30, 2026. If the public record still shows lapsed or expired, use the current reinstatement route and do not perform regulated services until the state record returns to active status.

New for 2026: Beginning January 1, 2026, covered Georgia cosmetology and barber licensees must record qualifying CE and proof of completion in CE Broker.

Georgia License Action Helper

Select the task you need. This helper only points you to the correct route; it does not access your GOALS account or submit anything.

What do you need to do?

Choose a task to see the recommended official route.

Choose the Correct Georgia Beauty License

Georgia uses separate credentials for different scopes of practice. Do not select Master Cosmetologist simply because it is the best-known category.

Credential	Main purpose	Important distinction
Master Cosmetologist	Broad cosmetology practice within Georgia’s authorized scope	Uses the full cosmetology training and examination route
Hair Designer	Hair-design services within Georgia’s defined scope	Training and renewal timing differ from Master Cosmetologist
Esthetician	Skin-care services within Georgia esthetics law	Does not authorize medical or laser procedures
Nail Technician	Nail-care services within Georgia’s nail-technology scope	Uses separate training and renewal rules
Apprentice	Board-registered supervised training	Training credential, not a permanent professional license
Salon/Shop	Facility authorization	Does not replace personal practitioner licenses

Job titles such as stylist, assistant, booth renter or independent contractor do not remove a licensing requirement when regulated services are actually performed.

The 1,500-Hour Georgia Cosmetology School Route

Georgia’s current cosmetology-school curriculum requires at least nine months and 1,500 hours. The first 250 Level 1 hours are completed before clinical services on clients. Current rules identify 225 of those hours as theory/mannequin work plus 15 hours of skin care and 10 hours of nail care.

Verify the school’s Georgia license.Search the school before enrolling. Accreditation or advertising alone does not prove that the Board will accept the hours.

Complete the first 250 Level 1 hours.Finish the required theory/mannequin, skin-care and nail-care content before client services.

Complete the remaining curriculum.Finish the required service applications, safety work and supervised clinical training.

Protect your records.Keep enrollment agreements, fee schedules, attendance summaries, online-theory records, progression results and the final transcript.

Obtain exam eligibility.Follow the school and Board process for the correct Georgia Master Cosmetologist examination.

Georgia allows limited online delivery for theory only. Current rules permit up to 250 Level 1 theory hours and up to 100 Level 2 theory hours through approved online delivery for Master Cosmetology students or apprentices. Practical training remains hands-on and supervised.

The 3,000-Hour Georgia Cosmetology Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is a Board-registered training arrangement, not ordinary salon employment. For Master Cosmetology, the current requirement is 3,000 hours over at least 18 months. Hours earned before the apprentice credential is issued do not count.

Before the first hourVerify the apprentice license, registered salon/shop and approved supervising master. Train only at the location recorded with the Board.

When the salon or supervisor changesA new application is required. The salon/shop owner or manager must provide the required apprentice record and notarized hour transcript within the Board’s timeline.

The current apprentice rule requires supervisors to retain apprentice records for five years. A salon/shop generally may have one apprentice for each qualifying licensed supervisor unless the Board approves otherwise.

Four-year apprentice credential: current Board guidance states that later-issued four-year apprentice licenses are not renewable. Only certain older two-year apprentice licenses were eligible for limited renewal.

Georgia Cosmetology Written and Practical Exams

Georgia requires a written and practical examination for the Master Cosmetologist route. Current Board rules require at least 70% on each section. If one section is failed, the failed section must be retaken.

Written examUse the current examination bulletin for content, identification and scheduling rules.

Practical examFollow the current service sequence, supply, labeling and sanitation requirements.

English ruleGeorgia’s rules state examinations are administered in English and foreign-language translators are not furnished.

Applicants completing required hours on or after July 1, 2018 are subject to the Board’s 48-month examination-completion rule. Use the current PSI candidate bulletin for live fees, locations, scheduling, retakes and accommodations.

Apply for the Georgia Master Cosmetologist License After Passing

The Board tells recent school graduates and apprentices not to submit the final Master Cosmetologist application until both state-board exam sections have been passed.

Confirm both passing score reports.Keep separate proof for the written and practical sections.

Use your existing GOALS identity.If you already have an apprentice or licensing record, verify the existing account rather than creating a duplicate.

Select the correct license type.Use Master Cosmetologist and answer the eligibility questions carefully.

Upload the required documents.Current Board checklists can include a secure and verifiable document, citizenship affidavit, score reports and conditional immigration, disciplinary or foreign-education records.

Submit the application and keep proof.Save the confirmation, receipt, application number and uploaded-document list.

Wait for active status.Do not perform licensed services until the public Georgia record shows the license as active.

The Board’s current Master Cosmetologist guide warns that incomplete applications may be withdrawn when identified deficiencies are not satisfied within 60 days. A withdrawn application requires a new filing and fees.

Georgia Cosmetology License Fees

The Board’s rules establish base fees, while older fee PDFs and live GOALS transactions may differ on processing charges. Always review the amount shown in the current transaction before payment.

Transaction	Published base fee	Important note
Master Cosmetologist application by exam	$30	Exam and current online processing charges are separate
Master Cosmetologist renewal	$50	March 31 of even-numbered years
Late Master Cosmetologist renewal	$100	Published 30-day late window
Master Cosmetologist reinstatement	$200	For lapsed records after the renewal window
Licensure by endorsement	$75	Current endorsement documents and processing requirements also apply
Apprentice license	$90	Current apprentice conditions apply
Change apprentice salon/supervisor	$90	New application and hour documentation are required
Initial salon/shop license	$75	Facility and local business costs are separate
Official verification for another state	$35	Request through GOALS when formal verification is needed

Fees are subject to change. The current live GOALS transaction controls the final amount due.

Georgia Cosmetology License Renewal and Reinstatement

Master Cosmetologist licenses expire March 31 of even-numbered years. For the 2026 cycle, the regular deadline was March 31 and the published late-renewal period ran through April 30.

Regular 2026 deadlineMarch 31, 2026 • published base renewal fee $50.

Late periodApril 1–30, 2026 • published late renewal amount $100.

After late periodUse the reinstatement route when the license remains lapsed.

Search the license first.Confirm status, category and expiration before starting a transaction.

Complete required CE.Most later renewals require five hours; reinstatement requires five CE hours for each lapsed renewal period.

Report qualifying CE in CE Broker.Upload accurate completion records before renewal or reinstatement.

Use the connected GOALS account.Update contact information and answer disclosure questions accurately.

Pay and save confirmation.Then confirm that the public record returns to active status.

Georgia Cosmetology Continuing Education and CE Broker

Beginning January 1, 2026, covered Georgia cosmetology and barber licensees must record required CE in CE Broker. The Board says licensees can use at least the no-cost Basic Limited Access account.

3 hoursHealth and safety developed or approved under the Board’s rules.

2 hoursRegistered qualifying subject such as industry trends, business management, computers, health and safety, trade shows or the licensed practice area.

5 hours totalRequired for most later two-year renewals unless a valid exemption applies.

The first renewal after original licensure is exempt from the normal CE requirement. Current rules also provide other potential exemptions, including certain long-term licensees and approved hardship situations. Do not assume an active-license exemption removes reinstatement CE: reinstatement requires documentation for each lapsed renewal period.

Instructors have a separate requirement: 15 approved CE hours, with at least half in teaching techniques, lesson planning or advanced teacher training.

Upload certificates as you complete courses rather than waiting until renewal. CE Broker is a reporting system; Board rules still determine whether a course actually qualifies.

GOALS Login and Application Troubleshooting

Problem	Likely reason	Best next step
Existing license is missing	Duplicate or unverified account	Use the existing-account verification process before creating another profile
PIN email not received	Delivery delay or spam filtering	Check spam and use the newest PIN; contact PLB if verification still fails
Application number missing	Confirmation email deleted or filtered	Search email/spam, then call the PLB center if needed
Page shows stale information	Cached browser session	Sign out, clear cache and reopen GOALS
Draft disappeared	Unsaved or expired draft	Gather all documents before restarting and save the new confirmation

The Professional Licensing Boards call center is 404-424-9966.

Georgia Cosmetology License Lookup and Verification

Georgia’s public verification system is free. Search an individual and the salon/shop separately because the personal credential and facility credential serve different legal purposes.

Choose person or facility search.Use professional search for an individual and facility search for a salon, shop or school.

Use the strongest identifier.Enter the complete license number when available; otherwise start with the legal name and fewer filters.

Open the detailed record.Match license type, number, status and expiration date.

Check public discipline when relevant.The verification system also provides complaint and disciplinary routes.

Use formal verification when another board requires it.The current Board FAQ lists a $35 formal verification service through GOALS.

Open Georgia’s official license verification.

Transfer an Out-of-State Cosmetology License to Georgia

Georgia’s Board FAQ says the state does not reciprocate automatically with other states. An actively licensed, good-standing applicant applies by endorsement.

If you passed approved written and practical exams in EnglishYou may qualify without additional Georgia testing when the remaining endorsement requirements are satisfied.

If you cannot prove both examsThe Board may issue an examination-eligibility letter. Current rules limit applicants made eligible under this route to three examination attempts without passing.

Common endorsement records

Current active and good-standing out-of-state license.
Verification from every state where you have been licensed when required.
Education or training verification.
Proof of approved written and practical examinations taken in English, when available.
High school diploma, GED or qualifying postsecondary degree.
Secure and verifiable identification and citizenship/lawful-presence records when applicable.
Disciplinary records and explanation when applicable.

Some older Georgia forms still describe endorsement as paper-only, while current profession-specific guides direct applicants toward GOALS. Follow the current Master Cosmetologist guide and the transaction offered in GOALS; if the expected endorsement action is not available, confirm the filing method with the Board before mailing original records.

Georgia Salon/Shop Licensing

A personal cosmetology license does not replace the salon/shop license required for a regulated business location. Georgia’s current salon guide requires a completed application and fee plus facility and ownership information such as a bill of sale or lease, physical address and facility name.

Initial salon/shop feeThe Board-linked base fee is $75.

Renewal timingCosmetology salons/shops renew June 30 of odd-numbered years, with the published late period running through July 31.

Do not begin regulated services until the facility license is active. Ownership or location changes can require a new application rather than a simple renewal.

File a Georgia Cosmetology Licensing Complaint

Complaints can involve suspected unlicensed activity, sanitation problems, false license claims, scope violations or another possible violation of Board law or rules.

Prepare useful factsInclude names, license numbers when known, the location, date, detailed description and supporting records such as receipts, photographs, advertisements or messages.

Understand the processThe Board acknowledges complaints, reviews jurisdiction, may investigate and notifies the complainant after completion. Pending investigations are confidential.

Open the official Georgia cosmetology complaint instructions.

Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers Contact

Professional Licensing Boards DivisionPhone: 404-424-9966
Use for GOALS access, application routing, reinstatement and transaction questions.

Current Licensing Division address3920 Arkwright Rd., Suite 195
Macon, GA 31210

Current Georgia licensing pages list service hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Confirm the exact mailing address on the transaction-specific instructions before sending originals because older cosmetology forms still show the former Coliseum Drive location.

Official Georgia Cosmetology Resources

Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and BarbersOfficial Board page

GOALS licensing systemApply, renew, reinstate and manage licenses

License verificationSearch professional and facility records

Master Cosmetologist guideApplication and renewal instructions

Continuing educationCE and CE Broker requirements

Georgia rulesCurrent Board rules

Georgia Cosmetology License FAQs

How many hours are required for a Georgia cosmetology license?

The standard school route requires 1,500 hours over at least nine months. The registered Master Cosmetology apprenticeship route requires 3,000 hours over at least 18 months.

What score do I need on the Georgia cosmetology exams?

Georgia requires at least 70% on both the written and practical sections. If one section is failed, that section must be retaken.

When does a Georgia Master Cosmetologist license expire?

Master Cosmetologist licenses expire March 31 of even-numbered years. The 2026 regular deadline was March 31 and the published late-renewal period ended April 30, 2026.

How many CE hours does a Georgia cosmetologist need?

Most later renewals require five hours: three hours of qualifying health and safety plus two hours of approved elective content. The first renewal is exempt, and other exemptions may apply under Board rules.

Do Georgia cosmetologists have to use CE Broker?

Yes. Beginning January 1, 2026, covered Georgia cosmetology and barber licensees must record required CE coursework and proof of completion in CE Broker.

How do I verify a Georgia cosmetology license?

Use Georgia’s official online verification system. Search individuals and facilities separately, and match the license type, number, status and expiration date.

Can I transfer an out-of-state cosmetology license to Georgia?

Georgia does not use automatic reciprocity. An actively licensed, good-standing out-of-state applicant applies by endorsement and provides the required license, education and examination records.

What is the Georgia cosmetology licensing phone number?

The Georgia Professional Licensing Boards Division call center is 404-424-9966.

Where is the Georgia Licensing Division located?

The current Licensing Division address is 3920 Arkwright Rd., Suite 195, Macon, GA 31210.

Can I work while my Georgia license application or reinstatement is pending?

No. A school diploma, exam result, payment receipt or pending application does not replace an active professional license. Wait until the official state record shows active status before performing regulated services.

Use GOALS for the Transaction and the Georgia Record for Final Status

Board-of-Cosmetology.org is an independent information website. The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers controls licensing decisions, GOALS handles most licensing transactions, and the official Georgia verification record controls public license status. Check the live state instructions before paying, mailing original documents or beginning regulated work.