Cosmetology Schools in Georgia
Are you a Georgian looking for a fun, varied, creative career in which no two days are ever the same? If so, cosmetology could be the career path for you. If you have a passion for beauty and love the idea of spending your days creating stunning hairstyles or helping clients look and feel beautiful, you could be a perfect fit.
Browse our directory of cosmetology schools in Georgia, or skip ahead to learn about the state's cosmetology licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Cosmetology Schools in Georgia
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1745 Peachtree Road Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30309
4719 Ashford-Dunwoody Road Suite 205
Dunwoody, GA 30338
2450 Piedmont Road Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30324
615 Ernest West Barrett Parkway
Kennesaw, GA 30144
D'Most Beauty and Body Institute
Mableton, GA 30126
Hogan Institute of Cosmetology & Esthetics – Accredited
Lilburn, GA 30047
Universal Talent Beauty & Cosmetology Academy
Norcross, GA 30093
You must attend school in the state you want to practice in. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited school. Learn more about the requirements in your state.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Cosmetology Schools Near Me
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Georgia
- 1,500 education hours or 3,000 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 5 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for cosmetologists in Georgia is $35,010.
- There is a predicted 11% job increase between 2016–2026 for cosmetologists.
To practice as a cosmetologist in Georgia, you'll first need to earn your license. There are several requirements you should meet before you can do this. You must:
State License Requirements
Required to earn a cosmetology license
While comparing GA cosmetology schools, make sure you only consider those that qualify graduates for licensure. The Georgia Board of Cosmetology requires schools to provide at least 1500 hours of education to conventional students. Those who complete apprenticeships need at least 3000 hours of education. With your training behind you, you can take the state's required written and skills tests to qualify for a beauty license.
Georgia Cosmetology Careers
Average yearly salary for cosmetology in Georgia
On average, licensed cosmetologists in Georgia earned $35,010 per year ($15.53 per hour) in 2020. Between 2018-2028, the state's cosmetology industry is expected to grow by 11%, while it's expected to shrink by 2% nationwide.
Typically, wages across the state range from $17,080 to $60,690, influenced by factors, including the level of experience and training you have and the geographical area you're based in. Cosmetologists working in their own high-end city salons will typically earn more than those working in smaller, rural settings, for instance.
As of 2019, the highest-paying metro areas for cosmetologists in Georgia are:
The highest-paying nonmetropolitan areas for cosmetologists in Georgia are:
Information sourced from O*Net (2021)
State License Requirements
Required to earn a cosmetology license
Before you can work as a cosmetologist in Georgia, you must first gain your master cosmetologist license. To do this, you need to attend a state-approved beauty school and complete at least 1,500 hours of training over nine months or more.
The topics covered and hours spent on each subject varies by program, but you can expect to learn a range of subjects, including hair cutting and coloring, chemical treatments, skincare, and nail care. Additionally, schools should cover theory-based topics, including hygiene and safety, blood exposure, scientific concepts, and more.
Just like practicing cosmetologists, beauty schools and educators must keep on top of their licensing requirements, too. In addition to paying a $300 non-refundable fee, all schools must prove that they are fit for purpose by submitting official blueprints and plans of their premises, lists of the equipment and textbooks available, and copies of their instructor's licenses. School licenses must be renewed every two years, so you know that the program you attend will be held to a high standard by the state.
Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Georgia?
Required to earn a cosmetology license
You can also gain your cosmetologist's license in Georgia via an apprenticeship. To do this, you must meet the following requirements:
Apprentice permits may be held for two years and can be renewed one time only for an additional two years.
Georgia Cosmetology Licensing Requirements
Once you've completed 1,500 hours of training, you need to take and pass two state-approved master cosmetologist exams. These are run by PSI Services, which have many testing locations across the U.S. All PSI centers are equipped to provide access in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and accommodations will be made to meet your needs if appropriately requested.
You need to pass a 185-minute practical exam ($64) and a 90-minute theoretical exam ($45), both of which must be taken in-person at a PSI test center—they can't be completed online. If you completed your 1,500-hour cosmetology program after July 1, 2018, you have four years from the date you completed your course in which you can take the exams.
If you don't pass the first time you take the exams, you may retake them an unlimited amount of times within your four-year eligibility period. However, if you don't pass within those first four years, you must re-apply for your license with the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers and pay any relevant fees.
On the day of your exam, you must arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes before your start time and bring two forms of ID with you.
During the practical test, you're required to bring your own kit. This must be appropriately labeled and kept closed except when you're removing or replacing materials for a specific service. When an original manufacturer's label is required, it must be in English only and can't be handwritten. You're also expected to bring your own mannequin head and mannequin hand to the exam, along with a table clamp.
There are strictly no aerosols or disinfectant sprays allowed in the testing environment, so make sure you bring your own supply of EPA-registered disinfectant wipes instead.
The practical exam takes 185 minutes to complete and covers the following topics:
The written test includes:
You'll be given your results as soon as you finish each exam. To pass both exams, you must score at least 70%. Veterans may be eligible for the addition of five or ten points on their examination scores. You may also qualify for reimbursement of all or part of your examination fees.
Georgia Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity
If you've previously gained your master cosmetologist's license in a different state, you may be eligible to gain your Georgia license through reciprocity. This meansyou might not need to start from the beginning of a training program again.
To do this, you need to submit:
However, Georgia does not reciprocate licenses from the following states, except in certain circumstances as detailed below:
* Georgia may reciprocate with Florida if the applicant's license was issued before August 1986; with New York if the applicant's license was issued before June 2001; and with Illinois, if the applicant's license was issued before December 1984 and all other requirements are met.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
All cosmetology licenses in Georgia must be renewed March 31 of every even-numbered year. It costs $50 to renew your license, and the entire process can be conducted online. The first time you renew your license, you're not required to meet any continuing education requirements. However, for every renewal after that, you must complete at least five hours of continuing education.
If you don't renew your license, it passes into a lapsed-late renewal status for six months. After that, it'll become completely lapsed and will require an application for reinstatement, which costs $200. It's illegal to practice without an active license, so make sure you always renew yours in time.
Contact the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
- 214 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334
- Website: Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
- Contact Form: Contact the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
- Call: 404-656-2881
The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers can help you with replacing a lost cosmetology license, updating change of name or change of address information, and acquiring out-of-state and other useful forms, as well as answer additional questions about obtaining a Georgia state cosmetology license.
The state of Georgia is home to some of the more prolific stylists in the beauty industry. Cosmetology has become a bulwark for the state’s economy with more expected to join the ranks into the next decade. Interested parties go to these organizations to get involved.
Georgia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
International SalonSpa Network
National Beauty Culturists League
The Male Cosmetologist Association