The Complete Guide to Your Georgia Cosmetology License Renewal

The Georgia Cosmetology and Barbers Board issues six different license types:

• Master Cosmetologist
• Hair Designer
• Esthetician
• Nail Technician
• Master Barber
• Barber II

Each license type has its own renewal deadline and fees. Otherwise, the renewal process is exactly the same for all license types. The focus of this guide will be for the Georgia Master Cosmetologist license renewal.

License Renewal Requirements

Georgia Master Cosmetologist

Update: For the 2024 renewal period only, the GA Cosmetology license renewal deadline has been extended from March 31st to June 30th.

Continuing Education

Each renewal cycle, you must complete five (5) hours of approved Georgia Cosmetology continuing education. Three (3) hours must pertain to Health and Safety. The remaining two (2) hours must be a course registered with the Georgia Board.

You may complete your continuing education at any time during the current renewal cycle. For example, a Master Cosmetologist may complete their CE any time between April 1st, 2022 and June 30th, 2024.

First Renewal

If this is your first renewal after receiving a Georgia Cosmetology license, you are excused from completing the continuing education requirements. This exemption only applies to your first license renewal.

Continuing Education Audit

You are not required to submit proof of continuing education unless you are selected for audit by the Georgia board.

If audited, you will need to submit a copy of your Certificate of Completion, along with a CE audit cover letter.

You may submit your CE audit via email, fax, or physical mail.

License Renewal Process

Open Renewal Period

The license renewal period usually opens three months before the license renewal deadline. This is the earliest date you can file your license renewal application.

For example, the Master Cosmetologist renewal period will open around January 19th, 2024 and close June 30th, 2024. (This is for 2024 only. The renewal period usually closes on March 31st, even numbered years.)

You will receive several renewal notice reminders via your email address on file with the board. Login to your Georgia Board account and verify your email address to ensure you receive these reminders.

Renewal Application

The quickest and easiest way to renew your license is through the Georgia Board website. If you prefer, you may request a paper application by contacting the Board.

1. To begin your online renewal application, login to the Georgia licensing portal.
2. Follow the on-screen questions. You will be asked three questions:
   • Have you received a conviction or board sanction since the last renewal? If the answer is Yes, you will need to submit additional information.
   • Have you completed your continuing education requirements?
   • Are you a US Citizen?
3. Pay the renewal fee. In addition to the renewal feel, there is a processing fee of $5 for online applications, and $10 for paper applications.

Check Your Renewal Status

Allow fifteen (15) business days for the Board to approve your renewal application.

To check the status of your license renewal application, login to the Board website and look at your license expiration date in your license information section.

* With the extension of the renewal deadline to June 30th, 2024, the Georgia Board has also updated license information to show an expiration date of 6/30/24 instead of 3/31/2024.

Print Your License

Once your renewal has been processed, you can print your license.

Login to the Board website and in your license information section, click the “Print License” link next to your license label.

Late Renewal

The late renewal period is very short, at only 30 days. Within this 30 day period, you may renew your Georgia Cosmetology license through the online portal or using a paper application, but you may not practice until your renewal has been processed.

Georgia Master Cosmetologist Late Renewal

The late renewal fee is twice the amount of a regular renewal, so it greatly benefits you to renew your license on time.

License Reinstatement

There are two circumstances where you may need to file a license reinstatement application:

1. Your license is more than 30 days expired
2. You were arrested or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or you received a disciplinary action from the Georgia Board or another state agency.

Expired License

Once your Georgia Cosmetology license is beyond 30 days expired, it goes into Lapsed status. A lapsed license may no longer be renewed, and you must apply for a license reinstatement.

This requires submitting additional documentation along with your application. As with a late renewal, you may not resume your practice until your reinstatement application has been approved.

Proof of Continuing Education

If you are applying for license reinstatement due to a lapsed license, you will need to show proof of continuing education for each renewal cycle you have missed. You can do this by including a copy of your 5-hour Completion Certificate(s) with your application.

Secure and Verifiable Documents

You will need to submit two documents to satisfy this requirement:

1. A notarized Affidavit of Citizenship
2. A copy of your driver’s license or US passport.
   • If you are not a US citizen, include a copy of your qualified alien documents

Disciplinary Action

If you are applying for license reinstatement due to disciplinary action, you need to include the following documentation:

Arrest or Conviction

1. Submit a letter of explanation and certified copy of the final course disposition from the county in which you were arrested or convicted.
   • The court document needs to include charges and sentencing information.
2. Submit a statement from your probation officer regarding your current status.
   • The statement must written on official letterhead.
   • If your probation or parole has been completed, submit certificate documentation from the court to verify the case has been closed and probation or parole has been completed.

Licensing Agency or Board Action

This applies to you if any of the following occurred since your Georgia Cosmetology license was last issued or renewed:

• Your licensing, renewal, or reinstatement application was denied
• Your license was revoked, suspended, or probated
• You requested or accepted a surrender of your license
• You were fined, reprimanded, or received any other form of discipline

If any of the above situations apply to you, you need to have the licensing agency or board send a certified copy of the action taken against your license to the Georgia Board office.

Frequently Asked Questions