Georgia esthetician licenses expire every two years and must be renewed through the Georgia Board of Cosmetology

Your Georgia esthetician license expires on a set date determined by when you first received it. The state does not send renewal reminders, so you are responsible for tracking your expiration date. You can find this date on your license card itself — it appears as a four-digit year.

Renewal happens through the Georgia Board of Cosmetology, which handles all esthetic licenses in the state. The board accepts renewals up to 60 days before your license expires and up to 30 days after it expires. If your license lapses beyond 30 days, you cannot work as an esthetician and must reapply as a new licensee rather than renew.

The renewal process is primarily online through the board's licensing portal. You will need your license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method. The entire process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have all required documents ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia esthetician licenses expire every two years on the date printed on your license card, and the state does not send reminders.
  • You can renew starting 60 days before expiration through 30 days after expiration using the Georgia Board of Cosmetology online portal.
  • Renewal requires proof of 16 hours of continuing education completed during your current license period, documented through course completion certificates.
  • The renewal fee is $110 for a two-year license, paid by credit or debit card during the online submission.
  • If your license lapses more than 30 days past expiration, you must complete a new process and exam rather than renew.

Continuing education requirements you must complete before renewing

Georgia requires all estheticians to complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year license period. These hours must be completed before you submit your renewal — the board will ask you to list the courses and provide proof during the renewal process.

Approved courses cover topics like sanitation, safety, new techniques, business practices, and skin conditions. You can take courses online or in person, but they must be offered by a provider approved by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. The board maintains a list of approved providers on its website; you can search by course type or provider name.

When you complete a course, you receive a certificate of completion with the course title, hours, date, and provider name. Keep these certificates — you will need to reference them during renewal. If you take multiple courses, the hours add up; for example, two 8-hour courses or four 4-hour courses both meet the 16-hour requirement.

Steps to renew online through the Georgia Board of Cosmetology portal

Log in to the Georgia Board of Cosmetology licensing portal using your license number and password. If you do not have a password or have forgotten it, you can reset it on the login page using your license number and Social Security number.

Once logged in, select "Renew License" from the menu. The system will display your current license information and expiration date. Review this information for accuracy; if anything is wrong, you will need to contact the board before proceeding.

Enter your continuing education information. You will list each course you completed, including the course title, number of hours, date completed, and provider name. Have your course certificates available so you can enter this information accurately. The board may request copies of certificates after you submit, so keep them for your records.

Review the renewal agreement, which confirms you meet all requirements and that the information you provided is accurate. Pay the $110 renewal fee using a credit or debit card. After payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

What to do if you miss the renewal important date

If your license expires and you do not renew within 30 days of the expiration date, your license becomes inactive and you cannot legally work as an esthetician in Georgia. You cannot straightforward renew at this point — instead, you must submit a new process to the board.

A new process requires you to retake the esthetician exam, which covers theory, sanitation, and practical skills. You will also need to pay the process fee and provide proof of your original esthetician training hours. This process takes significantly longer and costs more than a standard renewal.

If you realize your license is about to expire, renew when ready even if you have not completed all 16 continuing education hours. You can renew up to 60 days early. If you are short on hours, complete them as quickly as possible and submit your renewal before the important date. It is far simpler to renew on time than to reapply after lapsing.

Renewing by mail if you cannot use the online portal

The Georgia Board of Cosmetology strongly prefers online renewal, but you can renew by mail if you do not have internet access or prefer a paper process. Contact the board at 404-656-3926 to request a renewal process packet. The board will mail you the forms, which you complete by hand and return with your payment and continuing education documentation.

Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically 3 to 4 weeks from the time the board receives your packet. Because of this delay, mail in your renewal at least 45 days before your expiration date to may support it arrives and is processed before your license expires. Include a check or money order for $110 payable to the Georgia Board of Cosmetology.

Send your completed renewal packet to: Georgia Board of Cosmetology, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217. Include copies of your continuing education certificates and a cover letter with your name, license number, and phone number so the board can contact you if there are any issues with your process.

Updating your address or other information during renewal

If you have moved or changed your phone number since your last renewal, you can update this information during the renewal process. In the online portal, there is a section for personal information where you can edit your mailing address and phone number before you submit your renewal.

If you are renewing by mail, include a note with your renewal packet stating your new address or phone number. The board will update your file when it processes your renewal. Your new license card will be mailed to your updated address.

If you need to change your name on your license due to marriage or legal name change, you cannot do this during renewal. You must contact the board directly with a copy of your marriage certificate or court order. The board will issue a corrected license, usually at no additional charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I completed my continuing education hours but lost my certificates?

Contact the course provider or school where you took the classes and request replacement certificates. Provide the provider with your name, the course title, and the approximate date you completed it. Most providers can reissue certificates within a few days. If the provider is no longer in business, contact the Georgia Board of Cosmetology — they may be able to verify your attendance through their records.

Can I renew my license if I am working out of state?

Yes. You can renew your Georgia license from anywhere as long as you complete the continuing education hours and submit your renewal before the important date. The renewed license will be mailed to the address on file. If you have moved out of state, update your address in the portal so your license arrives at your current location.

What happens if I renew but my payment does not go through?

The online portal will notify you when ready if your payment fails. You can try again with the same card or use a different payment method. If you submitted a renewal by mail with a check that bounced, the board will contact you by phone to request payment. Your renewal will not be processed until payment clears.

Do I need to renew my license if I am not currently working as an esthetician?

If you want to keep your license active and maintain the option to work, you must renew it before it expires. If you do not plan to work in esthetics and do not need the license, you can let it expire without renewing. However, if you want to return to work later, you will need to reapply rather than straightforward renew.

How far in advance can I renew my license?

You can renew starting 60 days before your license expires. Renewing early is a good strategy if you are concerned about missing the important date or if you want to may support your new license arrives before your current one expires. The two-year renewal period begins on your new expiration date, not on the date you renew.