So you want to become a hairstylist in Georgia? Great! While researching career options, you have seen there are a few options for licenses in the state under the Georgia Cosmetology and Barber Board.
Today we are going to talk about two types of licenses you can obtain from the Georgia Cosmetology and Barber Board that are very similar: a cosmetologist license or a hair designer license. What’s the difference? Let’s take a closer look at these two license types and find out which license is for you.
Georgia Cosmetology License
A cosmetologist license in Georgia allows you to perform a variety of beauty services, including hair care, skincare, cosmetics, and nail care.
Georgia Hair Designer License
A Georgia hair designer license, on the other hand, is specifically for hair styling. This means that with a hair designer license, you can provide hair cutting, coloring, and other hair styling services, but you cannot provide any other type of beauty services, such as nail or skin care.
Which One Is Right For You?
So, which license should you get? If you’re interested in providing a full range of beauty services, then you’ll need to get a cosmetologist license. But if hair styling is your passion and you want to focus specifically on hair, then a hair designer license is the way to go.
4 Pros of Hair Designer License
You can focus specifically on hair
Most cosmetologists spend their workdays cutting, coloring, and styling hair. Very few have the time to work in other services for nails or skin care. And not every cosmetologist wants to offer skin and nail services. If this is you, this is a great license alternative.
The licensing process is generally shorter for hair designers
Fewer hours means you can get your license quicker and be ready for getting a job. Below we will detail the differences in the minimum hours needed for a license.
You can go back to school if you want to upgrade to a cosmetology license later
Knowing that you could go back and add the skin care and nails hours at a later time may be comforting. Just doing the hair designer program does not mean you can never become a cosmetologist. Going back to school and upgrading to a cosmetology license is possible.
Hair design training can be less expensive than hair designer school
The bottom line for most people is the cost of hair designer vs cosmetology. The average tuition for Georgia hair designer programs is around $13,000 while the average tuition for cosmetology programs in Georgia is over $17,000.
4 Pros of Cosmetology License
Allows you to perform a full range of beauty services
Do you like a little variety in your workday? A cosmetology license will allow you to do hair, nails, and skincare. This can make your workday more interesting and can also give you the opportunity to build relationships with a wider range of clients.
Can lead to higher earnings potential
Salaries between the two are comparable. However, when you can offer more services, you have the potential to earn more money.
More job opportunities available with a cosmetology license
With a cosmetology license, you’ll have more options when it comes to finding a job. Many salon owners prefer to hire cosmetologists because they can provide a wider range of services to clients.
It is only 175 hours more to get a cosmetology license
At 40 hours a week, this equates to about a month and a half more of training than a hair designer license. In the big picture of your long career, this is really a small time investment in additional services you could provide.
Comparing Hours and Training Requirements
Whichever license you decide to get, remember that you’ll need to complete the required training and pass the state licensing exam before you can start working as a hairstylist in Georgia. Let’s cover those requirements next!
| License Type | Hours | Nails and Skincare Services (Waxing) | Chemical Services (Color/Perm) | Cut and Style Hair |
| Hair Designer | 1325 hours | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cosmetologist | 1500 hours | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Requirements for a Georgia Hair Designer License
To get a Georgia hair designer license, you must:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete an approved hair design program consisting of at least 1325 hours
- Pass the Georgia hair design practical exam and written exam
The application fee is $30.
Requirements for Georgia Cosmetology License
To get a cosmetology license in Georgia, you must:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete an approved cosmetology program consisting of at least 1500 hours
- Pass the Georgia cosmetology practical exam and written exam
The cosmetology license application fee is $30.
Georgia Hair Designer License Renewal Requirements
Licensees must renew a hair designer license by September 30th of even-numbered years
A hair designer license in Georgia must be renewed every two years.
To renew your hair designer license, you must complete at least five hours of Georgia board-approved continuing education.
The Georgia hair designer renewal fee is $50.
Georgia Cosmetology License Renewal Requirements
A cosmetology license in Georgia must be renewed every two years.
Cosmetologists must renew by March 31 of even-numbered years.
To renew your cosmetology license, you must complete at least hours of Georgia board-approved continuing education.
The cosmetologist renewal fee is $50.
How is a barber license different from a hair designer license?
Yes, there is actually a third option you could consider, a barber or master barber license. Barbers, like cosmetologists, must complete 1500 hours. Barbers can perform all hair services, but can also shave. Like hair designers, barbers cannot offer skincare and nail services. Barbers are often associated with providing hair care for mainly male clients, but they can provide hair services to anyone.
Did we help you make up your mind?
So, there you have it! The main difference between a Georgia hair designer and a cosmetologist license. Now that you know the difference, we hope this helped you decide which one is right for you.
Either career will allow you to be creative every day and work with clients to make their hair dreams come true. Let us know which one you are leaning toward and why.
GA State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone Number: 404-656-2881
Website: https://sos.ga.gov/georgia-state-board-cosmetology-and-barbers
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