Last Updated on August 28, 2023

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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.

Contact us to learn more. Atlanta Institute of Aesthetics

2 Dunwoody Park South Suite 102
Atlanta, GA 30338 Sponsored

Programs: Cosmetology, Esthetics Atlanta School of Massage – Accredited

2 Dunwoody Park South Suite 101
Atlanta, GA 30338 Sponsored

Programs: Esthetics, Massage Therapy Georgia Career Institute – Accredited

900 Flat Shoals Road Southeast
Conyers, GA 30094 Sponsored

Programs: Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy Health And Style Institute – Accredited

2450 Piedmont Road Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30324 (404) 736-6777 Sponsored

Programs: Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Cosmetology Teacher Training Health and Style Institute – Accredited

615 Ernest West Barrett Parkway
Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 635-5750 Sponsored

Programs: Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Cosmetology Teacher Training

5D Beauty Academy

3121 Maple Street
Atlanta, GA 30305

Albany Beauty Academy – Accredited

2231 Dawson Road Suites I & J
Albany, GA 31707

Atlanta Beauty & Barber Academy – Accredited

6088 Buford Highway
Doraville, GA 30340

CEI Hair Schools

88 Peachtree Street Southwest
Atlanta, GA 30303

Cosmetology Academy of America

5775 Jimmy Carter Boulevard Suite 100
Norcross, GA 30071

D’Most Beauty and Body Institute

1391 Veterans Memorial Highway Soutwest Suite 100
Mableton, GA 30126

Dalton Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology – Accredited

100 West Walnut Avenue
Dalton, GA 30720

Elaine Sterling Institute – Accredited

3393 Peachtree Road Northeast #1003B
Atlanta, GA 30342

Georgia Beauty School

4771 Britt Road
Norcross, GA 30093

Golden Razor Academy of Cosmetology – Accredited

7209 Turner Lake Road
Covington, GA 30014

Accredited School

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:

How to Become a Esthetician in Georgia

Georgia Esthetician Careers At a Glance

• 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:

• Be at least 17 years of age
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Complete a state-approved 1,000 hour esthetics program
• Pass both a 110-minute practical exam and a 90-minute theoretical exam
• Submit proof of citizenship
• Apply for your license and pay a $30 fee
• Pass the relevant criminal background checks

Esthetician Salary in Georgia and Projected Job Growth

$26,810

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:

• Savannah, GA: $39,530
• Chattanooga, TN-GA: $35,030
• Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC: $25,650
• Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA: $22,190

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in Georgia

1,000 Education Hours OR 2,000 Apprentice Hours

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:

• Be at least 17 years of age
• Complete 2,000 hours of training over 18 months, under the supervision of a master esthetician who holds a current Georgia license and has been licensed at least 36 months
• Apply for your license and pay a $90 fee
• Pass the relevant criminal background checks

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:

• Setting up work area and first client preparation
• Universal supplies
• Cleansing
• Exfoliating
• Setting up work area and second client preparation
• Supplies (second client)
• Hair removal of the eyebrows
• Facial mask and conclusion of facial service
• Makeup
• Blood exposure
• Particle microdermabrasion

The theoretical exam is split as follows:

Scientific Concepts (55%)

• Microbiology
• Infection control
• Safety procedures
• Human physiology and anatomy
• Physiology of the skin
• Skin disorders and diseases
• Function and composition of hair
• Basic chemistry

Skin Care And Services (45%)

• Client consultation and documentation
• Client protection
• Skin analysis
• Contraindications for skin services
• Treatment protocol
• Cleansing
• Steaming
• Exfoliation
• Massage
• Methods of extraction
• Masks
• Conclusion of facial services
• Electrical equipment
• Makeup
• Basic knowledge of other services, including facials, body treatments, eyelash and eyebrows, hair removal, and wellness programs

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:

• A $50 fee
• Your application
• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of a high school diploma or GED
• Your other state licensure
• Proof of the required 1,000 training hours (or 2,000 hours for apprenticeships)

However, Georgia does not usually reciprocate licenses from the following states:

• California
• Connecticut
• Florida*
• Hawaii
• Illinois*
• Oregon
• Washington State
• New York*

* 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

2 Years

License renewal period 5 Hours

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.