StateLicensed

Esthetician License Requirements in Georgia

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1000 hrs
Upfront cost
$139
Exam
Esthetician Written Examination, Esthetician Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Pass a criminal background check. No published minimum age for licensure by examination (apprentice permits require age 17+). The Board reviews all criminal convictions and prior Board sanctions as part of every licensure application. Accessed via archive snapshot 2025-11-10 (sos.ga.gov is Cloudflare-protected). [5]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1000 hours of training (including 750 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. 1,000-hour program (250 theory + 750 clinical service-application hours) over a minimum of 9 months at a Board-licensed esthetics school. Apprenticeship alternative: 2,000 hours over a minimum of 18 months under a master-level licensee (master cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, or nail technician) who has held an active Georgia license for at least 36 months. Accessed via archive snapshot 2025-07-02 (rules.sos.ga.gov is Cloudflare-protected and blocks automated fetches). [1]

  3. 3

    Esthetician Written Examination

    Pass the Esthetician Written Examination (fee: $45). Written/theory exam Combined written + practical fee is $109 when scheduled together; $45 is the written-only fee. [2]

  4. 4

    Esthetician Practical Examination

    Pass the Esthetician Practical Examination (fee: $64). Hands-on practical/skills exam [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers with the $30 application fee. Typical processing time: 15 business days after a complete application is received (an additional 15 days if supplemental documentation is requested). [6]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers issues your Esthetician for Georgia.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $30
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $45
Esthetician Written Examination [2] $45
Esthetician Practical Examination [2] $64
Online processing fee [3] $5
Late renewal fee (within 30 days) [3] $90

No separate license-issuance fee beyond the $30 application-by-exam fee; the license is issued upon approval of that application. Accessed via archive snapshot 2025-03-10 (sos.ga.gov PDF host is Cloudflare-protected).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 5 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Renews biennially by August 31 of odd-numbered years. 5 CE hours are required each 2-year cycle; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt from the CE requirement. Accessed via archive snapshot 2025-11-10 (sos.ga.gov is Cloudflare-protected).

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Georgia does not reciprocate directly with other states but offers licensure by Endorsement for applicants actively licensed and in good standing in another state or U.S. territory; endorsement applicants are not required to make up hour-count shortfalls and are not required to retake exams if they can show passage of a national or state-approved English-language written and practical exam. Georgia is not listed as a member of any occupational-licensing compact for esthetics; the Cosmetology Licensure Compact is not operational in any state. Accessed via archive snapshot 2025-11-10 (sos.ga.gov is Cloudflare-protected).

20 state-approved training providers in Georgia — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $30
  • $45
  • $64
Total$139

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Georgia require for an esthetician license?

1,000 hours (250 theory + 750 clinical) at a Board-licensed esthetics school over a minimum of 9 months, or 2,000 hours over 18 months as a registered apprentice under a master-level licensee.

Who administers the Georgia esthetician exam?

PSI Services LLC administers both the written and practical exams on behalf of the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.

Can I transfer my esthetician license from another state to Georgia?

Georgia does not offer formal reciprocity, but if you hold an active, good-standing esthetician license in another state or U.S. territory, you can apply for licensure by Endorsement without retaking the exam if you can document a passed national or state-approved written and practical exam.

How often do I need to renew my Georgia esthetician license?

Every 2 years, by August 31 of odd-numbered years. Starting with your second renewal, you must complete 5 hours of continuing education per cycle.

Does Georgia require a background check for licensure?

The Board reviews all criminal convictions and any prior Board sanctions as part of every licensure application, per the Board's FAQ.

Sources

  1. [1] rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/240-16 — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/512.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/28%20Reference%20-%20Fee%20Schedule.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
  4. [4] sos.ga.gov/page/georgia-state-board-cosmetology-and-barbers-continuing-education — accessed 2026-07-11
  5. [5] sos.ga.gov/page/georgia-state-board-cosmetology-and-barbers-faq — accessed 2026-07-11
  6. [6] sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-esthetician-and-esthetics-instructor — accessed 2026-07-11