All four Georgia beauty licenses in one place. Georgia uses NIC national exams via PSI — a direct fit for NICPrep — with a 70% passing score, notarized applications, an apprenticeship pathway for every modality, and CE Broker tracking required as of January 2026.
Georgia · Cosmetology
Georgia's broadest beauty license: 1,500 hours, NIC exam via PSI, 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 NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built directly from the NIC CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for the Georgia Master Cosmetologist exam. No separate state law exam — 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.
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.
Built from the same NIC CIB Georgia uses — and you only need 70%. Try 10 free questions with full rationales, no signup.
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.
Georgia · Esthetics
1,000 hours — one of the highest esthetics requirements in the country. NIC exam via PSI, 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 NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built directly from the NIC Esthetics CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for the Georgia esthetics exam. 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.
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.
Built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — the exact exam Georgia uses. 70% passing score. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
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 NIC exams via PSI at 70%. Master Barbers can add cosmetology with just 300 additional hours.
Georgia uses the NIC National Barber Styling Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep's barber question bank is built directly from the NIC Barber Styling CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for the Georgia Master Barber exam. 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.
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.
Built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB. 70% passing score. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
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.
Georgia · Nail Technology
525 hours — more than most states but the shortest Georgia beauty license. NIC exam via PSI, 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 NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built directly from the NIC Nail Technology CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for the Georgia nail technician exam. Passing score: 70%.
Apprenticeship graduates must request a Letter of Eligibility from the Board before scheduling PSI exams. First request free; $25 thereafter.
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.
Built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB. 70% passing score. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
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.
Georgia uses NIC exams via PSI — the same content NICPrep is built from. You need 70%. Try 10 real questions with full rationales, no signup required.