Georgia license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Georgia
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Georgia: when each expires, the renewal fee, the continuing education it needs, and what to do if you renew late or the license has lapsed. Every answer comes from the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 5 hours per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Barber | 5 hours per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Nail technician | 5 hours per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Esthetician | 5 hours per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | See the rule |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
Its continuing education works out to 2.5 hours a year of license.
Cosmetologist (Master Cosmetologist)
Georgia cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn March 31 of even-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 5 hours per renewalFive CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA renewal submitted within six months after expiration may carry a late renewal fee set by the Board, and the lapsed, late renewal period runs April 1 to April 30 of even years. A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA renewal submitted within six months after expiration may carry a late renewal fee set by the Board. A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked and requires an application for reinstatement, payment of a reinstatement fee, and documentation of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.
Barber (Master Barber)
Georgia barber license renewal
Renewed through the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn December 31 of even-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 5 hours per renewalFive CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA renewal submitted after expiration may carry a late renewal fee set by the Board, and the lapsed, late renewal period runs January 1 to January 31 of odd years. A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked and requires an application for reinstatement, payment of a reinstatement fee, and documentation of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.
Nail technician
Georgia nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn August 31 of odd-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 5 hours per renewalFive CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA renewal submitted within six months after expiration may carry a late renewal fee set by the Board, and the lapsed, late renewal period runs September 1 to September 30 of odd years. A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA renewal submitted within six months after expiration may carry a late renewal fee set by the Board. A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked and requires an application for reinstatement, payment of a reinstatement fee, and documentation of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.
Esthetician
Georgia esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn August 31 of odd-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 5 hours per renewalFive CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA renewal submitted within six months after expiration may carry a late renewal fee set by the Board, and the lapsed, late renewal period runs September 1 to September 30 of odd years. A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA renewal submitted within six months after expiration may carry a late renewal fee set by the Board. A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked and requires an application for reinstatement, payment of a reinstatement fee, and documentation of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.
Good to know
What else Georgia says about renewing
- The Board uses CE Broker to track continuing education completion.
- Renewal notices are only a courtesy; the license holder remains responsible for renewing on or before the expiration date.
- A licensee who has held a license for 25 years or more may be exempt from CE if they document it to the Board.
Sources
What Georgia's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026. Fees and deadlines change: confirm with the board before you renew.
- Cosmetologist: renewal period
“Licenses/Permits shall be renewed biennially.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “The following licenses expire on March 31 of the even numbered years, effective as of the 2022 renewal cycle:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Cosmetology (Masters); with a lapsed, late renewal period from April 1 to April 30 of even years;”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Cosmetology master license renewal prior to March 31 st expiration.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“In order to renew a license, each licensee shall provide to the Board proof of completion a total of five (5) continuing education (CE) hours in a form acceptable to the Board as follows:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Three (3) hours of the total five (5) hours must be satisfied by a course in health and safety developed or approved by the Board.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Two (2) hours of the total five (5) hours must be in a course previously registered with the Board in any of the following areas:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “the holder of a license who is renewing a license for the first time shall not be required to meet the CE requirements;”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“If submitted within six (6) months following the expiration date, licensee must pay a late renewal fee as may be assessed by the Board.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Cosmetology (Masters); with a lapsed, late renewal period from April 1 to April 30 of even years;”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Failure to renew license within six (6) months following expiration of the license shall have the same effect as a revocation of license, which shall require the licensee to apply to the Board for reinstatement, pay a reinstatement fee and meet such other conditions as the Board may deem necessary.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“Failure to renew license within six (6) months following expiration of the license shall have the same effect as a revocation of license, which shall require the licensee to apply to the Board for reinstatement, pay a reinstatement fee and meet such other conditions as the Board may deem necessary.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “In order to reinstate a lapsed license after expiration, the applicant shall pay all fees required by law or rule, including the reinstatement fee(s), and shall submit documentation of completion of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “If submitted within six (6) months following the expiration date, licensee must pay a late renewal fee as may be assessed by the Board.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Licenses/Permits shall be renewed biennially.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “The following licenses expire on December 31 of the even numbered years, effective as of the 2022 renewal cycle:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Barbers (Masters); with a lapsed, late renewal period from January 1 to January 31 of odd years;”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Barber: continuing education
“In order to renew a license, each licensee shall provide to the Board proof of completion a total of five (5) continuing education (CE) hours in a form acceptable to the Board as follows:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Three (3) hours of the total five (5) hours must be satisfied by a course in health and safety developed or approved by the Board.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Two (2) hours of the total five (5) hours must be in a course previously registered with the Board in any of the following areas:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “the holder of a license who is renewing a license for the first time shall not be required to meet the CE requirements;”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Barber: late renewal
“The Board may assess a late renewal fee that is greater than or in addition to any other renewal fee(s) if a license is renewed after the license expiration date.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Barbers (Masters); with a lapsed, late renewal period from January 1 to January 31 of odd years;”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Failure to renew license within six (6) months following expiration of the license shall have the same effect as a revocation of license, which shall require the licensee to apply to the Board for reinstatement, pay a reinstatement fee and meet such other conditions as the Board may deem necessary.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Barber: expired license
“Failure to renew license within six (6) months following expiration of the license shall have the same effect as a revocation of license, which shall require the licensee to apply to the Board for reinstatement, pay a reinstatement fee and meet such other conditions as the Board may deem necessary.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “In order to reinstate a lapsed license after expiration, the applicant shall pay all fees required by law or rule, including the reinstatement fee(s), and shall submit documentation of completion of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Licenses/Permits shall be renewed biennially.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “The following licenses expire on August 31 of the odd numbered years, effective as of the 2021 renewal cycle:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Nail Technician master license renewal prior to August 31 st expiration.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“In order to renew a license, each licensee shall provide to the Board proof of completion a total of five (5) continuing education (CE) hours in a form acceptable to the Board as follows:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Three (3) hours of the total five (5) hours must be satisfied by a course in health and safety developed or approved by the Board.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Two (2) hours of the total five (5) hours must be in a course previously registered with the Board in any of the following areas:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “the holder of a license who is renewing a license for the first time shall not be required to meet the CE requirements;”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“If submitted within six (6) months following the expiration date, licensee must pay a late renewal fee as may be assessed by the Board.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Cosmetology (Estheticians and Manicurists); with a lapsed, late renewal period from September 1 to September 30 of odd years;”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Failure to renew license within six (6) months following expiration of the license shall have the same effect as a revocation of license, which shall require the licensee to apply to the Board for reinstatement, pay a reinstatement fee and meet such other conditions as the Board may deem necessary.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“Failure to renew license within six (6) months following expiration of the license shall have the same effect as a revocation of license, which shall require the licensee to apply to the Board for reinstatement, pay a reinstatement fee and meet such other conditions as the Board may deem necessary.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “In order to reinstate a lapsed license after expiration, the applicant shall pay all fees required by law or rule, including the reinstatement fee(s), and shall submit documentation of completion of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “If submitted within six (6) months following the expiration date, licensee must pay a late renewal fee as may be assessed by the Board.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Licenses/Permits shall be renewed biennially.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “The following licenses expire on August 31 of the odd numbered years, effective as of the 2021 renewal cycle:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Esthetics master license renewal prior to August 31 st expiration.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“In order to renew a license, each licensee shall provide to the Board proof of completion a total of five (5) continuing education (CE) hours in a form acceptable to the Board as follows:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Three (3) hours of the total five (5) hours must be satisfied by a course in health and safety developed or approved by the Board.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Two (2) hours of the total five (5) hours must be in a course previously registered with the Board in any of the following areas:”
rules.sos.ga.gov “the holder of a license who is renewing a license for the first time shall not be required to meet the CE requirements;”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“If submitted within six (6) months following the expiration date, licensee must pay a late renewal fee as may be assessed by the Board.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Cosmetology (Estheticians and Manicurists); with a lapsed, late renewal period from September 1 to September 30 of odd years;”
rules.sos.ga.gov “Failure to renew license within six (6) months following expiration of the license shall have the same effect as a revocation of license, which shall require the licensee to apply to the Board for reinstatement, pay a reinstatement fee and meet such other conditions as the Board may deem necessary.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“Failure to renew license within six (6) months following expiration of the license shall have the same effect as a revocation of license, which shall require the licensee to apply to the Board for reinstatement, pay a reinstatement fee and meet such other conditions as the Board may deem necessary.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “In order to reinstate a lapsed license after expiration, the applicant shall pay all fees required by law or rule, including the reinstatement fee(s), and shall submit documentation of completion of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.”
rules.sos.ga.gov “If submitted within six (6) months following the expiration date, licensee must pay a late renewal fee as may be assessed by the Board.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Also good to know
“The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers utilizes CE Broker to track CE completion.”
sos.ga.gov - Also good to know
“Electronic renewal notices are sent only as a courtesy. The responsibility of license renewal, on or before expiration date, remains with the license holder.”
rules.sos.ga.gov - Also good to know
“licensees who have held a license for 25 years or more and can submit documentation thereof to the satisfaction of the Board;”
rules.sos.ga.gov
Questions
Georgia license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Georgia?
The Georgia Master Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years, through the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers. When it expires: On March 31 of even-numbered years. Continuing education (5 hours per renewal): Five CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Georgia cosmetology license?
Continuing education (5 hours per renewal): Five CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE.
What happens if my Georgia cosmetology license expires?
A renewal submitted within six months after expiration may carry a late renewal fee set by the Board. A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked and requires an application for reinstatement, payment of a reinstatement fee, and documentation of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.
How do I renew my barber license in Georgia?
The Georgia Master Barber license renews every 2 years, through the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers. When it expires: On December 31 of even-numbered years. Continuing education (5 hours per renewal): Five CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Georgia barber license?
Continuing education (5 hours per renewal): Five CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE.
What happens if my Georgia barber license expires?
A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked and requires an application for reinstatement, payment of a reinstatement fee, and documentation of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Georgia?
The Georgia Nail Technician license renews every 2 years, through the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers. When it expires: On August 31 of odd-numbered years. Continuing education (5 hours per renewal): Five CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Georgia nail technician license?
Continuing education (5 hours per renewal): Five CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE.
What happens if my Georgia nail technician license expires?
A renewal submitted within six months after expiration may carry a late renewal fee set by the Board. A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked and requires an application for reinstatement, payment of a reinstatement fee, and documentation of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Georgia?
The Georgia Esthetician license renews every 2 years, through the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers. When it expires: On August 31 of odd-numbered years. Continuing education (5 hours per renewal): Five CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Georgia esthetician license?
Continuing education (5 hours per renewal): Five CE hours per renewal: three hours of a Board-developed or Board-approved health and safety course, and two hours in a Board-registered course in the area of practice for the license held or an industry or trade show. The first renewal of a license does not require CE.
What happens if my Georgia esthetician license expires?
A renewal submitted within six months after expiration may carry a late renewal fee set by the Board. A license not renewed within six months after expiration is treated as revoked and requires an application for reinstatement, payment of a reinstatement fee, and documentation of 5 CE hours for each lapsed period.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Georgia: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Georgia
- Running your own salon in Georgia: the salon license
- What Georgia inspectors check in a salon
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