How to get a Master Cosmetologist license in Georgia

Georgia cosmetologist licenses

Georgia issues 4 cosmetologist credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Georgia cosmetologist licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 4)

Requirements

Background check

Convictions and board sanctions are reviewed before licensure; applicants with a record submit court documents and a letter of explanation.⁴

Fees

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI⁴, when you schedule.

How to apply

Apply online

goals.sos.ga.gov⁹

Processing time

Processed in order received; deficiencies must be cured within 60 days or the application may be withdrawn; may go to a board meeting (complete 15 days before).¹⁰

2. Every license level except Cosmetology apprentice (Apprentice License)

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Required²¹¹

Residency or citizenship

Secure and verifiable document, affidavit of citizenship and (if applicable) immigration documents required.¹⁰

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁴

Renew online

goals.sos.ga.gov⁹

From another state

3. Master Cosmetologist and Hair Designer

Requirements

Minimum age

17 years old²

Exam

Written (theory) and practical examinations¹
Given by: PSI⁴
Passing score: 70% on each section (written and practical); retake only the section failed.¹
When you can take it: After completing the school hours (school transcript filed with the exam application) or, for apprentices, after the board issues a Letter of Eligibility.⁴
Written¹⁰
Practical¹⁰
Retakes: Retake only the failed portion; another exam fee is due; no limit on attempts for initial applicants.⁴
Exam waived: Endorsement applicants who passed a national or state written and practical exam in English need no further exams.⁴

Also required

All exams are administered in English; no translators.¹

Fees

How to apply

1. Register with PSI and pass both the written and practical exams (70% on each).⁴
2. After passing, apply online in GOALS with exam score reports, secure and verifiable document, affidavit of citizenship and the non-refundable fee (paper applications are returned).¹⁰ goals.sos.ga.gov⁹
3. Wait for the license before working; answer any deficiency letter within 60 days.¹⁰

Renewal

Renewal fee

$50³

Continuing education

At least 5 hours each renewal period⁵

Required topics

3 hours health and safety, developed or approved by the Board (courses from a college, the Department of Education, TCSG, the Board of Regents or the American Red Cross may be accepted without prior approval)⁵
2 hours from registered courses: trade show, health and safety, industry trends, computer skills, business management or area of practice⁵

Approved courses

Courses must be from board-registered CE providers; online/home-study accepted if registered; CE is recorded in CE Broker from January 1, 2026.¹²

Exemptions

First renewal exempt⁵
Licensed 25 years or more⁵
On written request: active military/reservists, transitioning service members, age 65+, disability, illness, other hardship⁵

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $100³
Reinstatement fee: $200³ (lapsed license (after the 30-day late period))

If it expires

Not renewed: 30-day late-renewal status, then lapsed; reinstatement application with 5 CE hours for each lapsed period (no CE waiver for reinstatement).⁴
Renewals are online only; mailed renewals are not accepted.⁴

From another state

Who needs a Master Cosmetologist license

All cosmetology services: cutting/dressing hair, facial and scalp treatments, shampoo, color, perms, nail care and esthetics.²

Work that does not need this license:

• Hair braiding only (weaving, twisting, plaiting, extensions) and applying retail cosmetics are outside the definition of cosmetologist.²

Requirements for a Master Cosmetologist license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

At least 1,500 credit hours²
1,500 credit hours (at least 9 months) at a board-approved school, or a 3,000-hour apprenticeship²
Who may teach it: Board-approved school, or a State Board of Education approved school or TCSG technical college.²
Alternative: Apprenticeship: 18 months and 3,000 hours (licensed apprentice; hours cannot be combined with school hours)⁷
Alternative: Out-of-country education: credentials evaluation from a board-approved provider¹⁰
Alternative: Curriculum: 1,500 hours (250 theory + 1,250 service application hours), minimum nine months⁸

How to apply

1. Complete 1,500 hours at a board-approved school or a 3,000-hour licensed apprenticeship.⁴

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Master Cosmetologists – March 31 of even numbered years.⁴

Cosmetology apprentice license

Trains in a licensed salon/shop under direct supervision of a Georgia master licensee; hours count only after the apprentice license is issued.⁷

Requirements

Minimum age

16 years old⁷

Experience

At least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training⁷
Cosmetology apprenticeship: at least 18 months and 3,000 hours, following the school curriculum.⁴
Supervision: Master cosmetologist licensed at least 36 months; one apprentice per master at a time.⁴

Exam

Theory portion of the state board examination within the first 12 months⁴
Given by: PSI⁴
Passing score: 70% on each section (written and practical); retake only the section failed.¹
When you can take it: Within the first 12 months of the apprenticeship (theory); full licensing exams after the board issues a Letter of Eligibility.⁴
Retakes: Retake only the failed portion; another exam fee is due; no limit on attempts for initial applicants.⁴

Also required

License is for 4 years and not renewable (issued on or after July 1, 2015).⁷

Also required

Weekly worksheet signed by apprentice, owner/manager and master; notarized transcript within 30 days when the apprenticeship ends.⁷

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Find a Georgia master cosmetologist (licensed 36+ months) in a licensed salon who will supervise you.⁴
2. Apply for the apprentice license ($90) before starting; hours before issue do not count.⁷ goals.sos.ga.gov⁹
3. Take the theory exam within the first 12 months; log hours weekly.⁴
4. After 18 months and 3,000 hours, send transcripts and request a Letter of Eligibility, then take the PSI exams and apply for the Master Cosmetologist license.⁴

Renewal

How often

Every 4 years⁴

When it expires

Issued for 4 years; no renewals.⁴

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Veterans, service members, transitioning service members and military spouses may get exam point credits and/or expedited processing; DD-214 needed for veterans preference points.¹⁰

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Hair Designer

Cuts or dresses hair; singes and shampoos, applies permanents or relaxers, colors or dyes hair.²

Requirements

Education or training

At least 1,325 credit hours²
1,325 credit hours (at least 7 months) at a board-approved school, or a 2,650-hour apprenticeship²
Who may teach it: Board-approved school, or a State Board of Education approved school or TCSG technical college.²
Alternative: Apprenticeship: 14 months and 2,650 hours (licensed apprentice; hours cannot be combined with school hours)⁷
Alternative: Out-of-country education: credentials evaluation from a board-approved provider¹⁰

How to apply

1. Complete 1,325 hours at a board-approved school or a 2,650-hour licensed apprenticeship.⁴

Renewal

When it expires

Hair Designers – September 30 of even numbered years.⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Cosmetology Instructor

Teaching in a school of cosmetology; instructors devote their entire time to instruction.²

Requirements

Education or training

At least 750 clock hours⁸
750 hours of cosmetology instructor training at a board-approved school, completed within one year⁸
Who may teach it: Board approved school²
Alternative: TCSG / Department of Education / Board of Regents instructors with two years teaching may apply with a current master license and passed instructor exams.¹¹

Experience

At least 1 year²
One year licensed as a Master Cosmetologist and one year of documented salon work experience¹¹
License you must hold first: Valid Georgia Master Cosmetologist license¹⁰

Exam

Instructor written and practical examinations¹¹
Given by: PSI⁴
Passing score: 70% on each section (written and practical); retake only the section failed.¹
Written¹⁰
Practical¹⁰
Retakes: Retake only the failed portion; another exam fee is due; no limit on attempts for initial applicants.⁴

Fees

How to apply

1. Hold a Georgia Master Cosmetologist license for a year and work a year in a salon.¹⁰
2. Complete 750 hours of instructor training at a board-approved school.⁸
3. Pass the instructor written and practical exams through PSI.¹⁰
4. Apply online in GOALS with the fee and documents.¹⁰ goals.sos.ga.gov⁹

Renewal

When it expires

Expires June 30 of odd-numbered years; renew before June 30.⁴

Renewal fee

$75³

Continuing education

At least 15 hours each renewal period¹²

Required topics

At least half of the 15 hours in teaching techniques, lesson planning or advanced teacher training¹²

Approved courses

Board-approved CE; recorded in CE Broker¹²

Late renewal

Reinstatement fee: $200³

If it expires

Instructor who fails to renew on time has the teaching license suspended; after the late period, a reinstatement fee is due.²

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a cosmetologist in Georgia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Georgia is on the Georgia license lookup page.

Look up a license

goals.sos.ga.gov¹³

File a complaint

sos.ga.gov⁹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 10 (Cosmetologists and Barbers), as enacted by HB 314 (2015)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 240-3 (Continuing Education)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 240-6 (Licensure by Examination)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 240-11 (Application by Endorsement)
• 2026 Ga. SB 207 (criminal-record preclearance; Parts I-IV effective July 1, 2027)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 240-5 (Apprentices)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 240-10 (Instructor Licensing)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 240-15-.04 (Cosmetology instructor training curriculum)

Rule changes since January 2024

• January 1, 2026: CE completion must be recorded in CE Broker.¹²

Common questions

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming