Esthetician Schools in Georgia
Georgia is home to some of the nation’s most innovative and exciting skincare lines and spas, such as Inga Bailey Brows Cosmetics and Savannah Skin & Wellness. With esthetics growing quickly as a field of work and the greater awareness of the importance of good skincare and self-care, there’s never been a better time to pursue your passion with a career as an esthetician in Georgia.
Georgia offers a wide variety of esthetics schools and programs to choose from, as well as a stunning 14% projected growth in esthetics jobs predicted between 2018-2028. Read on to learn about how to earn your esthetician license in Georgia, along with information on salary expectations in and around major cities such as Atlanta, Savannah, and Augusta, training programs, job prospects, and more.
Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Georgia, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.
We researched all the esthetician schools that Georgia has to offer and found the cream of the crop. View our list of the best esthetician schools in Georgia.
Browse All Esthetician Schools in Georgia
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900 Flat Shoals Road Southeast
Conyers, GA 30094
7840 Roswell Road
Sandy Springs, GA 30350
Hogan Institute of Cosmetology & Esthetics – Accredited
Lilburn, GA 30047
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
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:
Esthetician Schools Near Me
How to Become a Esthetician in Georgia
- 1,000 education hours or 2,000 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 estheticians in Georgia is $26,810 ($12.90/hour). This is lower than the national average of $34,090 ($16.39/hour).
- There is a predicted 14% job increase between 2018–2028 for estheticians. This is higher than the expected national growth of 11%.
Working as an esthetician means that you’ll be performing a wide range of specialist skincare procedures and services for your clients. If you want to become an esthetician in Georgia, there are several requirements you should meet before you can gain your license. You must:
Esthetician Salary in Georgia and Projected Job Growth
Average yearly salary for esthetics in Georgia
On average, licensed estheticians in the state of Georgia earn $26,810 annually, or $12.90 per hour. Between 2018-2028, the esthetics industry is expected to grow in the state, with a predicted job increase of 14% (which translates to around 300 new jobs).
However, this average covers a lot of ground in Georgia, from higher-cost big cities or vacation spots to more rural areas. Esthetician pay across the state varies from a low of $17,200 to a high of $63,400 or more, depending on the level of experience and training you have, the cost of living in your area, and whether you have a dedicated client base who can pay more. For example, estheticians working in their own high-end salons or booths in large metropolitan areas will usually earn more than those working in smaller, rural settings.
According to O*Net (2021), the highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in Georgia are:
What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in Georgia
Required to earn a esthetics license
To work as an esthetician in Georgia, you must first gain your esthetician license. To do this, you need to attend a state-approved beauty school and complete at least 1,000 hours of training. You’ll cover a wide variety of different topics, including skincare techniques, hygiene, safety, infection control, business practices, and even ethics and law.
It isn’t just practicing estheticians who must gain licensure—esthetics schools and instructors must also keep on top of their own licensing requirements, too. In addition to paying a $300 fee, schools must prove that they are fit for purpose by submitting blueprints, lists of the equipment and textbooks available, and copies of each instructor’s license. Just like regular estheticians, school licenses must be renewed every two years, so you can rest assured that the school you choose to attend will be held to a high standard by the state.
Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Georgia?
You can also gain your esthetician’s license in Georgia via an apprenticeship. To do this, you must:
Apprentice permits may be held for two years, and can be renewed one time only for an additional two years.
Georgia Esthetician Licensing Requirements
Once you’ve completed your 1,000 hours of training, you need to take and pass two state-approved esthetics exams. These are run by PSI Services, who have a number of locations across the USA. All PSI centers are equipped to provide access in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and accommodations will be made to meet your needs.
You’ll need to pass a 110-minute practical exam ($64) and a 90-minute theoretical exam ($45). Currently, the test cannot be taken online. If you completed your esthetician program after July 1 2018, you’re eligible to take the exam for four years from the date you completed your course.
You can retake the exams 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 with the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers. If you need to retake the exams, the fee remains the same.
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 for when you are removing or replacing materials for a service. When an original manufacturer's label is required, it must be in English, and cannot be handwritten.
As of January 2020, there are no aerosols or disinfectant sprays allowed in the testing environment, so make sure you have a supply of EPA-registered disinfectant wipes instead.
The practical exam takes place in the following order:
The theoretical exam is split as follows:
Scientific Concepts (55%)
Skin Care And Services (45%)
On completion of the exams, you’ll be given your results immediately. In order to pass each exam, you must score at least 70%.
According to Georgia law, veterans may be eligible for the addition of five or ten points on their examination scores. You may also qualify for veterans’ preference points if you were discharged for injury or illness incurred in the line of duty, and for reimbursement of all or part of your examination fees.
Georgia Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity
If you’ve previously gained your esthetician license in another state, you may be eligible to get your Georgia license through reciprocity, meaning you don’t need to start from the beginning again. To do this, you’ll need to submit:
However, Georgia does not usually reciprocate licenses from the following states:
* Georgia may reciprocate with Florida if the applicant’s license was issued prior to August 1986; with New York if the applicant’s license was issued prior to June 2001; and with Illinois if the applicant’s license was issued prior to December 1984, if all other requirements are met.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
All esthetician licenses in Georgia must be renewed every two years. Officially, they must be renewed by August 31 of odd numbered years. You can renew your license online, and must pay a $45 fee. The first time you renew your license you are not required to meet any continued education requirements, however, for every renewal after that, you must complete five hours of continuing education every two years.
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. It’s illegal to practice without an active license, so make sure you always renew yours on time.
Contact the Georgia State Board of Esthetics
- 214 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
- Website: Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
- Contact: Contact the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
- Call: 404-656-2881
Resources for Estheticians in Georgia
Various professional Facebook groups such as Georgia Estheticians & Aesthetics, Specializing in the Art of Skin, The Georgia Alliance for Aesthetics Professionals, and Georgia Estheticians. Note that some of these groups appear to not be active at press time.