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 Nail Technician license renewal.
Table of Contents
License Renewal Requirements
Georgia Nail Technician
Renewal Deadline | August 31st, 2025 |
Renewal Fee | $45 |
Late Renewal Fee | $90 |
License Reinstatement Fee | $200 |
Processing Fees for All Applications | $5 – Online $10 – Mail-in Form |
Continuing Education Requirements
Each renewal cycle, you must complete five (5) hours of approved Georgia cosmetology continuing education. A three (3) hour Health and Safety course is required. The remaining two (2) hours must be a course registered with the Georgia Board.
Subject | Hours Required |
---|---|
Health and Safety | 3 CE Hours |
Any course approved by the Georgia Board | 2 CE Hours |
You may take a two (2) hour course relevant to nail techniques, but any course approved by the Georgia Cosmetology and Barbers Board will satisfy the requirement.
You may complete your continuing education at any time during the current renewal cycle. All Georgia Nail Technicians may complete their CE any time between September 1st, 2023 and August 31st, 2025.
First Renewal
If this is your first renewal after receiving a Georgia Nail Tech 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.
dhelms@sos.ga.gov | |
Fax | (866) 888-1176 |
GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY AND BARBERS PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARDS 237 COLISEUM DRIVE MACON, GA 31217 |
License Renewal Process
Open Renewal Period
The license renewal period generally opens three months before the license renewal deadline. This is the earliest date you can file your license renewal application.
For example, the Georgia Nail Technician license renewal period will open around June 1st, 2025 and close August 31st, 2025.
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 fastest and most convenient way to renew your license is through the Georgia Board website. Alternatively, if you prefer a paper application, contact the Board office.
- To start your online renewal application, login to the Georgia licensing portal.
- 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?
- 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 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.
License Expiration Date | Renewal Status |
---|---|
8/31/2027 | Processed |
8/31/2025 | Not Yet Processed |
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 license through the online portal or using a paper application, but you may not practice until your renewal has been processed.
Georgia Nail Technician Late Renewal
Late Renewal Period | 9/1/2025 – 9/31/2025 |
Late Renewal Fee | $90 |
Processing Fee | $5 – Online $10 – Mail-in Form |
License Reinstatement
There are two circumstances where you may need to file a license reinstatement application:
- Your license is more than 30 days expired
- 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 Nail Tech 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.
Lapsed License Status | More than 30 days expired |
Reinstatement Application Fee | $200 |
Processing Fee | $5 – Online $10 – Mail-in Form |
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.
Renewal Cycles Missed | Expiration Date Shown on Your License | Continuing Education Hours Needed |
---|---|---|
One | 8/31/2023 | 5 |
Two | 8/31/2021 | 10 |
Three | 8/31/2019 | 15 |
It is important to note that this table shows the number of continuing education hours to bring your license to Current status. You will still need to complete five (5) CE hours for the 2025 renewal cycle.
Secure and Verifiable Documents
You will need to submit two documents to satisfy this requirement:
- A notarized Affidavit of Citizenship
- 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
- 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.
- 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 Nail Technician 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.
How long does a nail technician license last in Georgia?
Your Georgia Cosmetology license is valid for two years and then must be renewed. The renewal deadline is August 31st of odd-numbered years.
May I resume working after paying for my Georgia Nail Technician license renewal?
You must have a current Georgia Nail Technician license to legally practice. You may continue to practice with a pending renewal up until the license renewal deadline. After that date, you must wait for your renewal application to be processed before resuming work.
What happens if I don’t renew my Georgia Nail Technician license?
Your Georgia Nail Technician license expires if it is not renewed within 30 days of the renewal deadline. You will need to apply for license reinstatement, and you may not legally work until your reinstatement application has been processed.