All four Georgia beauty licenses in one place. Georgia uses PSI's own National exams, not NIC — 70% passing, notarized applications, an apprenticeship pathway for every modality, and CE Broker tracking required as of January 2026.
Georgia converted to PSI's own National exams around mid-2025. They carry the word "National" and are not NIC. Georgia's own Secretary of State FAQ still serves stale "NIC Candidate Information Bulletins for Georgia" language, which is where this confusion comes from — treat that page as outdated.
Verified from the six PSI Test Taker Guides v1.1 effective 8/1/2025: Cosmetology 100 scored + 10 pilot, 120 min — Safety & Infection Control 30%, Client Consultation and Hair/Skin/Nail Analysis 19%, Chemical Texture 12%, Haircoloring 10%, Hair Removal 8%, Nail Care 8%, Eyelash & Eyebrow 4%, Skin Care 4%, Haircutting 3%, Hairstyling 2%. Esthetics 75 + 10, 90 min. Nails 60 + 5, 90 min. Master Barber 85 + 10, 120 min. Pass mark 70% on each; 48-month window with unlimited retakes inside it.
⚠️ Georgia examines in English only, by rule. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 240-6: every exam "shall be administered in English. No foreign language translators will be allowed or furnished." It is the most restrictive language policy in the country. If you are studying in Spanish, you will still sit the paper in English — plan for that.
Our practice tests are built to the NIC blueprint, which is not this one: NIC cosmetology is four domains in 90 minutes, the PSI National form is ten domains in 120, and not a single domain label is shared. They cover the underlying science; this exam's weighting differs. Worth knowing before you buy.
Verify: Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers at sos.ga.gov, or PSI on (855) 744-0314.
Prep for this state
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
No bank — here is what we know
Georgia’s Master Barber examination is 85 items plus 10 pretest, 120 minutes, 70% to pass, administered by PSI — and which form it uses is unconfirmed.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Free preview · No signup
10 questions from the NIC cosmetology bank and 10 terminology cards from the decks — the same items, the same rationales, the same study modes you get after checkout. Georgia tests on the PSI National exam. These questions cover the underlying science it draws on; the blueprint differs. No email, no signup.
Georgia · Cosmetology
Georgia's broadest beauty license: 1,500 hours, PSI National exam, 70% passing, notarized GOALS application. Holders don't need separate esthetics or nail tech licenses. Apprenticeship pathway available. CE Broker required for renewal as of January 2026.
Georgia uses PSI National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the one California, Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland and Michigan share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails. The law items sit inside the theory form — passing score is 70%, lower than the 75% standard used by most other states.
The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers, under the Georgia Secretary of State, governs all beauty and barber licensing. The Master Cosmetologist license is the most comprehensive — holders perform hair, skin, and nail services without needing separate specialty licenses. All applications go through the GOALS portal and must be notarized. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
All hair services (cutting, styling, color, chemical texture); all skin care services (facials, waxing, peels within scope); nail services (manicures, pedicures, enhancements); makeup application. Holders do not need separate esthetics or nail technician licenses.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Verify school approval at sos.ga.gov. Min 9 months. After graduation, your school notifies PSI of your eligibility and you receive scheduling instructions. Apprenticeship graduates must request a Letter of Eligibility from the Board.
Schedule at candidate.psiexams.com or call (855) 744-0314. Pay $45 (written) and $64 (practical). 70% required on each. Collect printed score reports after each exam — required with your license application. No retake limit but 48-month window applies.
Apply online at the GOALS portal via sos.ga.gov. Pay $30 application + $5 online processing fee. Include PSI score reports and citizenship verification (Secure and Verifiable Document). Application must be notarized with a legible ink seal. No paper applications accepted.
License issued digitally through GOALS. An additional 15 days if supplementary documentation is needed.
Georgia accepts endorsement from out-of-state cosmetologists with a current active license. Applicants from states without substantially equivalent requirements must pass Georgia exams. Georgia does not reciprocate with California, Florida, Hawaii, or New York — applicants from those states must sit for the Georgia written and practical exams.
March 31 of even-numbered years · 5 hrs CE per 2-yr cycle (3 hrs TCSG Health & Safety + 2 hrs other approved topics) · CE waived for first renewal · CE Broker registration required as of January 1, 2026 · $50 renewal fee (confirm at sos.ga.gov). Renew through GOALS. Licensees with 25+ years active may apply for a CE waiver. Late renewal window is the following calendar month.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.
Georgia · Esthetics
1,000 hours — one of the highest esthetics requirements in the country. PSI National exam, 70% passing, apprenticeship pathway available (2,000 hours / 18 months). Renews August 31 of odd-numbered years. No esthetics apprenticeship restrctions — but no school shortcuts either.
Georgia uses the PSI National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the same one seven states share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails. Passing score: 70%.
Georgia's 1,000-hour esthetics requirement is among the highest in the country — most states require 600 hours or fewer. The apprenticeship pathway (2,000 hours / 18 months minimum) is one of the few in the US for esthetics, making Georgia notable for that flexibility. All training must be supervised; theory may be taught online but hands-on hours must be on-site.
Apprenticeship graduates must request a Letter of Eligibility from the Board by submitting completed training records. First request is free; additional requests cost $25. Once received, schedule PSI exams normally.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Programs typically run 9–12 months full-time. For apprenticeship, register for an apprentice license first ($90 fee). Theory may be online; all hands-on hours must be on-site.
School graduates receive notice from their school; apprenticeship graduates submit training records to the Board to receive the Letter.
Written at candidate.psiexams.com ($45). Practical ($64) at Atlanta or Macon — bring live model and supplies per the PSI Esthetics CIB.
Apply at sos.ga.gov GOALS portal. Pay $30 + $5 online processing. Include PSI score reports and citizenship verification. Application must be notarized.
License issued digitally through GOALS.
August 31 of odd-numbered years · 5 hrs CE per 2-yr cycle · CE Broker required as of Jan 1, 2026 · First renewal CE waived · 25+ year waiver available. Renew through GOALS.
Georgia · Barber
Georgia offers two barber tiers: Master Barber (1,500 hrs, full scope including chemical services) and Barber II (1,140 hrs, no chemicals). Both use PSI National exams at 70%. Master Barbers can add cosmetology with just 300 additional hours.
Georgia’s Master Barber examination is administered by PSI Services LLC; which form it uses is unconfirmed, and the board still links a legacy NIC bulletin. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a different blueprint, so it covers the underlying science; this exam's outline differs. Passing score: 70%.
Licensed Georgia Master Barbers need only 300 additional hours of cosmetology training to qualify for the Master Cosmetologist exam and license — covering skin care, nails, and cosmetology techniques not included in barber school.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Verify school approval at sos.ga.gov. Min 9 months full-time. Apprenticeship requires supervisor to have held GA Master Barber license for 18+ months. For apprenticeship, apply for an apprentice barber license first.
Schedule at candidate.psiexams.com. Written ($45) at Atlanta, Macon, Marietta, or Tifton, or online. Practical ($64) at Atlanta or Macon — bring live model and required implements per PSI Barber CIB.
Apply online at sos.ga.gov. Pay $30 + $5 processing. Include PSI score reports, citizenship verification. Application must be notarized.
License issued digitally through GOALS.
Annual renewal · 5 hrs CE every 2 years · CE Broker required as of Jan 1, 2026 · First renewal CE waived. Confirm current renewal date and fee at sos.ga.gov. Renew through GOALS.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish.
Georgia · Nail Technology
525 hours — more than most states but the shortest Georgia beauty license. PSI National exam, 70% passing, apprenticeship available (1,050 hours / 8 months). Live model required for the practical. Renews August 31 of odd-numbered years.
Georgia uses the PSI National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the same one seven states share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails. Passing score: 70%.
Apprenticeship graduates must request a Letter of Eligibility from the Board before scheduling PSI exams. First request free; $25 thereafter.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Verify school approval at sos.ga.gov. Programs typically run 4–6 months full-time. Theory may be taught online; hands-on hours must be on-site.
Written at candidate.psiexams.com ($45) at Macon or Tifton, or online. Practical ($64) at Atlanta or Macon — bring live model and full supply kit.
Apply at sos.ga.gov. Pay $30 + $5 processing. Include PSI score reports and citizenship verification. Application must be notarized with legible ink seal.
License issued digitally through GOALS.
August 31 of odd-numbered years · 5 hrs CE per 2-yr cycle · CE Broker required as of Jan 1, 2026 · First renewal CE waived. Renew through GOALS.
🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.
Georgia uses PSI's own National exams, not NIC — the same content NICPrep is built from. You need 70%. See the full prep on the modality page.
2026 CIB changes, domain study tips, and new-modality launches — a few emails a month, no spam.