How often do I renew a cosmetologist license in Georgia?
Master Cosmetologists – March 31 of even numbered years.
Source and quotation
Master Cosmetologists – March 31 of even numbered years.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How to Get a Cosmetologist License in Georgia (2026)
Quick answer
Anyone performing licensed services must have an active license.
Required hours
School route: at least nine months and 1,500 hours, comprising 250 theory and 1,250 service application hours.
Exam
Pass both practical and written examinations before applying.
Renewal
Master Cosmetologists – March 31 of even numbered years.
Continuing education
5 hours
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
How-to Guide: Master Cosmetologist, Cosmetology Instructor
Official sourceCheck your qualifications
Required hours
School route: at least nine months and 1,500 hours, comprising 250 theory and 1,250 service application hours.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
a complete course of a minimum of nine (9) months and totaling fifteen hundred (1,500) hours of training (250 theory + 1250 service application hours)
Official sourceExam
Pass both practical and written examinations before applying.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Passed Practical Exam Passed Written Exam
Official sourcePrepare your application
Apply with the agency
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal
Official sourceReciprocity
No reciprocity agreement; active licensees in good standing elsewhere may apply by endorsement. Proof of passing national or state-approved written and practical examinations in English avoids further examinations.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The state of Georgia does not reciprocate with any other state. However, if you are actively licensed and in good standing in another state or a United States territory, you may apply for licensure by Endorsement. If you can provide proof that you passed a national or state approved written and practical exam in English, additional examinations are not required.
Official sourceConfirm your next step with the agency
Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.
Open the official agency page
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Anyone performing licensed services must have an active license.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Anyone performing services must have an active license.Official source
Agency guidance
The first renewal is exempt from CE; licensees with 25 years of licensure or hardship may request a waiver.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The first time you renew your license you are not required to meet the CE requirements. A licensee who has held a license for 25 years or longer is eligible for a waiver of the continuing education requirement; or A licensee who can prove to the Board that he or she has a hardship may request a waiver.Official source
When do I renew, and is CE required?
Renewal
Master Cosmetologists – March 31 of even numbered years.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Master Cosmetologists – March 31 of even numbered years.Official source
Continuing education hours
5 hours
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Every renewal after that, you must complete 5 hours of continuing education every 2 yearsOfficial source
Continuing education topics
Three hours in board-developed or approved health and safety; two hours in registered courses covering industry events, health and safety, trends, computer skills, business management or the licensed practice.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
3 hours of the total 5 hours must be satisfied by a course in health and safety developed or approved by the Board. 2 hours of the total 5 hours must be in a course previously registered with the Board industry or trade show. health and safety. industry trends. computer skills. business management. the area of practice for the type of license held by the licensee.Official source
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
What does it cost?
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
What are the common questions?
Which official sources support this guide?
Official sources and verification (11)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Board
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and BarbersOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Official agency page
https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-master-cosmetologist-cosmetology-instructor
How-to Guide: Master Cosmetologist, Cosmetology InstructorOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Apply with the agency
https://goals.sos.ga.gov
Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portalOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Required hours
School route: at least nine months and 1,500 hours, comprising 250 theory and 1,250 service application hours.
School route: at least nine months and 1,500 hours, comprising 250 theory and 1,250 service application hours.
a complete course of a minimum of nine (9) months and totaling fifteen hundred (1,500) hours of training (250 theory + 1250 service application hours)Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Exam
Pass both practical and written examinations before applying.
Pass both practical and written examinations before applying.
Passed Practical Exam Passed Written ExamOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Renewal
Master Cosmetologists – March 31 of even numbered years.
Master Cosmetologists – March 31 of even numbered years. Applies to: Cosmetologist license
Master Cosmetologists – March 31 of even numbered years.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education hours
5 hours
5
Every renewal after that, you must complete 5 hours of continuing education every 2 yearsOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education topics
Three hours in board-developed or approved health and safety; two hours in registered courses covering industry events, health and safety, trends, computer skills, business management or the licensed practice.
Three hours in board-developed or approved health and safety; two hours in registered courses covering industry events, health and safety, trends, computer skills, business management or the licensed practice.
3 hours of the total 5 hours must be satisfied by a course in health and safety developed or approved by the Board. 2 hours of the total 5 hours must be in a course previously registered with the Board industry or trade show. health and safety. industry trends. computer skills. business management. the area of practice for the type of license held by the licensee.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Reciprocity
No reciprocity agreement; active licensees in good standing elsewhere may apply by endorsement. Proof of passing national or state-approved written and practical examinations in English avoids further examinations.
No reciprocity agreement; active licensees in good standing elsewhere may apply by endorsement. Proof of passing national or state-approved written and practical examinations in English avoids further examinations.
The state of Georgia does not reciprocate with any other state. However, if you are actively licensed and in good standing in another state or a United States territory, you may apply for licensure by Endorsement. If you can provide proof that you passed a national or state approved written and practical exam in English, additional examinations are not required.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
Anyone performing licensed services must have an active license.
Anyone performing licensed services must have an active license.
Anyone performing services must have an active license.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
The first renewal is exempt from CE; licensees with 25 years of licensure or hardship may request a waiver.
The first renewal is exempt from CE; licensees with 25 years of licensure or hardship may request a waiver.
The first time you renew your license you are not required to meet the CE requirements. A licensee who has held a license for 25 years or longer is eligible for a waiver of the continuing education requirement; or A licensee who can prove to the Board that he or she has a hardship may request a waiver.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee — see the official agency.
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Cosmetologist in neighboring states
Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.
Related licenses in Georgia
Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Official sources (4)
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