Cosmetologist / Georgia
2026 data Georgia board official source

Georgia Cosmetologist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides hair, skin, and nail care services. Required in all 50 states.

What the Georgia data shows for Cosmetologists

Becoming a licensed cosmetologist in Georgia means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,276 training hours, a passing score on State Cosmetology Board Exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 16. Georgia regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Budget $45 to get started, plus $20 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle; processing typically runs about 2 weeks once your application is complete. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Georgia, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

On reciprocity, cosmetologists should know: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
67/100
Cosmetologist · Georgia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,276 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$104
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$28/yr
$55 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Georgia

Education / Training Hours
Cosmetology School
1,276 hours
Exam Requirement
State Cosmetology Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$104
Renewal Fee
$55
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
2 wks
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
16 years
Compare fees across all states for Cosmetologist →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Cosmetologist All Georgia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Georgia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Cosmetologist in Georgia? ▼
Georgia's requirements cover 1276 hours of education or training, the State Cosmetology Board Exam exam, and an initial fee of $104. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Cosmetologist in Georgia? ▼
Georgia licenses cosmetologists who complete its requirements (1276 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Georgia licensing board.
Can I transfer my Cosmetologist license to Georgia from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for cosmetologists: Varies by state — check with state board. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Georgia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Georgia require a background check for Cosmetologist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the cosmetologist licensing process in Georgia. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
How much does it cost to get a Cosmetologist license in Georgia? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Georgia is $45. The renewal fee is $20 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 2 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Cosmetologist license processing take in Georgia? ▼
In Georgia, license processing for cosmetologists typically takes approximately 2 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this cosmetologist license

Cosmetologist in Georgia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a cosmetologist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Georgia's cosmetologist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Cosmetologist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state cosmetologist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Georgia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Georgia overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Georgia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.