GA Cosmetology licensing

Georgia cosmetology license requirements and exam prep

Confirm Georgia cosmetology school or apprenticeship requirements, exam rules, official sources and the matching practice app.

At a glance

Georgia Cosmetology facts

License type
Master Cosmetologist
School hours
1,500 hours
Written exam
Required
Practical exam
Required
Exam vendor
PSI Services LLC
Passing score
70%
Renewal cycle
2 years
Last verified
2026-08-07

Checked against 9 official sources on 2026-07-29. Every figure on this page links to the document it came from.

Application path

What to verify before you apply

  1. 1Confirm the license categoryState boards may use different names for the same career path.
  2. 2Verify training and exam eligibilityCheck hours, application order, fees, IDs and vendor rules from official sources.
  3. 3Practice once your path is clearUse the state-aware course app for written-exam practice and weak-area review.

Exam details

Written and practical exam notes

Written exam

Status
Required
Questions
100
Time limit
120 minutes
Passing score
70%
Languages
English

Practical exam

Status
Required
Passing score
70%

Renewal and transfer

Renewal
2 years
Continuing education
5 hours per renewal
Reciprocity
Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam

What it costs

License application
$30
Reciprocity
$50

Georgia rule 130-7 lists a $30 application fee for a license to practice and a $50 application fee for licensure by reciprocity. Renewal and reinstatement amounts are set by a separate board fee schedule and are not published in this record.

Still to verifyNot published in the cited sources: practical time limit. Verify the current board page or candidate bulletin before scheduling or applying.

Study path

How to use this Georgia cosmetology guide

Verify the licensing path here, then use the course app for active recall, answer explanations, weak-area drills and timed written-exam practice.

  1. Confirm eligibilityFinish 1,500 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step. This record also has a sourced apprenticeship path of 3,000 hours.
  2. Prepare for the written examUse timed practice against the published written-exam structure: 100 scored questions, 120 minutes, passing standard 70%. The cited sources name PSI Services LLC as the exam vendor.
  3. Plan hands-on practiceGeorgia requires a practical exam for this license, so do not let written-question practice replace service practice and kit/exam-day preparation.
  4. Start the matching practice appBegin with the free questions, then unlock full access when your exam date is close enough that you will use the 90-day study window.

High-yield written topics

  • Safety and infection controlDisinfection, blood exposure, EPA labels, SDS and salon sanitation rules.
  • Hair color and chemistryLevels, developers, patch tests, chemical reactions and product safety.
  • Haircutting and texture servicesElevation, guidelines, relaxers, perms, neutralizers and service steps.
  • Skin, nails and state lawBasic services outside hair plus scope, licensing and board-rule questions.
Practice Cosmetology questions

Official sources

Source links used for this guide

Georgia in context

What these Georgia cosmetology rules mean for you

Georgia requires 1,500 training hours for a cosmetology license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 12 ask for fewer hours and 13 ask for more, against a range of 1,000 to 2,000 hours and a median of 1,500. Hour requirements matter beyond school cost: a license earned in a low-hour state is often harder to transfer into a high-hour one.

Georgia requires both a written examination and a hands-on practical examination, so you need bench skills as well as theory. The examination is administered by PSI Services LLC. The written exam has 100 questions with 120 minutes allowed. The published passing standard is 70%.

Georgia Cosmetology licensing questions

How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Georgia?
Georgia requires 1,500 hours of approved training. That is more than 12 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 13.
How much does a Georgia cosmetology license cost?
Before tuition, expect $30 in board fees.
Is there a practical exam for the Georgia cosmetology license?
Yes. Georgia requires a hands-on practical examination in addition to the written examination.
How long is the Georgia cosmetology written exam?
You are allowed 120 minutes for 100 questions.
How often do you renew a Georgia cosmetology license?
The renewal cycle is 2 years. Continuing education: 5 hours per renewal.
What does it cost to transfer an out-of-state license to Georgia?
The licensure by reciprocity application fee is $50.

Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.

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