How-to Guide: Nail Technician, Nail Tech Instructor
How To Apply
If you would like to apply for a Nail Technician or a Nail Tech Instructor license, or if you need to reinstate your license, review the requirements and the step-by-step guides below.
If you are licensed in another state and would like to apply for licensure in Georgia, please follow the instructions on how to apply for Endorsement.
Be sure to provide a valid email address with your application. For Board staff to process your application in a timely and efficient manner, all communication from the Board will be conducted through email.
Please allow 15 business days to process your application. If your application is incomplete and you need to submit additional documentation, please allow an additional 15 days for processing.
- Licensure requires a completed, signed, and notarized application along with the required fee.
- Refer to the specific instructions for the application depending on your application type.
- If you have recently completed cosmetology school or an apprenticeship, please do not apply until you have passed your state board examinations, and include your score reports with your application.
- Veterans Preference Points: If you are claiming veteran’s preference points, you must enclose a copy of your DD-214 showing that you served during a period of conflict or war for a minimum of ninety (90) days
- You must submit all the required documentation and fees to be considered for licensure.
See specific instructions for your application depending on the license and application type:
To file online:
Once your checklist is completed, Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for a Nail Technician or a Nail Tech Instructor license, or if you need to reinstate your license, review the requirements and the step-by-step guides below.
If you are licensed in another state and would like to apply for licensure in Georgia, please follow the instructions on how to apply for Endorsement.
Be sure to provide a valid email address with your application. For Board staff to process your application in a timely and efficient manner, all communication from the Board will be conducted through email.
Please allow 15 business days to process your application. If your application is incomplete and you need to submit additional documentation, please allow an additional 15 days for processing.
- Licensure requires a completed, signed, and notarized application along with the required fee.
- Refer to the specific instructions for the application depending on your application type.
- If you have recently completed cosmetology school or an apprenticeship, please do not apply until you have passed your state board examinations, and include your score reports with your application.
- Veterans Preference Points: If you are claiming veteran’s preference points, you must enclose a copy of your DD-214 showing that you served during a period of conflict or war for a minimum of ninety (90) days
- You must submit all the required documentation and fees to be considered for licensure.
See specific instructions for your application depending on the license and application type:
After you Apply – What to Expect
- Processing Time – Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.
- If you receive a deficiency letter, please submit all requested items at one time, as soon as possible, to prevent processing delays.
- Please Note – Incomplete applications may be withdrawn if noted deficiencies are not satisfied within 60 days of said notification. If your application is withdrawn, you will be required to restart the application process to be considered for licensure, to include submission of all required documents and fees.
- Completed applications will be initially reviewed by Board staff and may be reviewed by the Board at an upcoming Board Meeting. Applications must be complete and received at least 15 days prior to a Board Meeting to be added to that meeting’s agenda. Otherwise, the application will be reviewed at the next Board meeting.
- Check Application Status >>
- Keep Your Contact Info Up to Date
- Be sure the email address you include for yourself on your application is correct and current. Email is the primary means of communication used by the Board.
- Additionally, it is important for applicants/licensees to update their email address with the Board just as they would update their physical and mailing addresses.
- Wait For It
- You may not legally perform services until you hold an active license.
- Staff will communicate with you regarding the status of your application.
Disability Accommodations
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Public Law 101-336), the Professional Licensing Boards Division provides for reasonable accommodations by designated vendors for exam candidates with disabilities that may interfere with their performance on a Licensure Examination.
Applicants may request an accommodation under the American with Disabilities Act by submitting an application and all supporting documentation to the respective Board and/or a designated vendor as instructed on this form>>
Veteran’s Preference
Veterans, military service members, transitioning service members and military spouses of the armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard, may be eligible for exam point credits and/or expedited application processes. Download program information>>
- If you are claiming Veteran’s Preference Points, you must enclose a copy of your DD-214 form, showing that you served during a period of conflict or war for a minimum of 90 days. Contact the VA to request make a DD-214 Request >>
Fees
Application for Licensure by Exam | $30 |
Renewal Fee – August 31, odd years | $45 |
Late Renewal Fee – (within 30 days) | $90 |
Application for Reinstatement | $200 |
Nail Technician Endorsement | $75 |
Nail Tech Instructor Application Fee | $75 |
Nail Tech Instructor Renewal – June 30, odd years | $75 |
Nail Tech Instructor Late Renewal (within 30 days) | $150 |
Nail Tech Instructor Application for Reinstatement | $200 |
Nail Technician Instructor Endorsement | $100 |
Processing Fees - Effective 3/15/2022
- Online processing fee: $5.00
Nail Tech Initial Application
This application is for first-time licensees only.
This application is for first-time licensees only. If you are currently or were previously licensed as a Nail Tech in another state, please complete the Licensure by Endorsement section.
Any person desiring licensure is required to make an application using the forms furnished by the Board, and show by such application that they have met all the requirements of the laws and rules of the board.
The following is a checklist of required documents for this application:
- Completed, signed, and notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Out of Country Applicants: Please submit a credentials evaluation from a board approved credentials evaluation provider. Download Foreign Credentials Evaluation >>
- Passed Practical Exam
- Passed Written Exam
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $30.
Nail Tech Instructor Application
This application is for licensed Nail Instructors to apply for an Instructor license.
This application is for licensed Nail Instructors to apply for an Instructor license.
Please do not apply until you have completed the Instructor training course and passed your state board examinations. Please include your PSI score report with your application.
You will need the following items to complete your application:
- Completed, signed, and notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Out of Country Applicants: Please submit a credentials evaluation from a board approved credentials evaluation provider. Download Foreign Credentials Evaluation >>
- Passed Practical Exam
- Passed Written Exam
- Employment Affidavit - 1 year Work Experience
- Valid GA Master’s License
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
A non-refundable application fee of $75.
Reinstatement
This application is for licensees whose license has lapsed or has been previously revoked.
This application is for licensees whose license has lapsed or has been previously revoked.
The following is a checklist of required documents for this application:
- Completed, signed, notarized application with reinstatement fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Instructors must use the Instructor License Reinstatement application. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
A non-refundable application fee of $200.
Endorsement
If you are seeking licensure in Georgia by endorsement or wanting to ‘transfer’ your current license from another state, fill out this application.
If you are seeking licensure in Georgia by endorsement or wanting to ‘transfer’ your current license from another state, fill out this application. For more information, please read the FAQs for Endorsement Requirements.
We only offer Endorsement; we do not offer Reciprocity.
- Completed, signed, and notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Education
- Passed GA Written Exam (if applicable)
- Passed GA Practical Exam(if applicable)
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline
- Verification of Original Licensure
- Verification of License of all states to which you are licensed
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Nail technician non-refundable endorsement fee of $75.
Instructor non-refundable endorsement fee - $100.
Renewal
If you currently hold this license and need to renew in order to keep your license up to date, apply for renewal before August 31 of the year it expires to avoid late fees. (Instructors must renew before June 30 of the year it expires.)
If you currently hold this license and need to renew in order to keep your license up to date, apply for renewal before August 31st of the year it expires to avoid late fees. (Instructors must renew before June 30th of the year it expires.)
- To process your renewal, Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
Nail technicians submit a non-refundable application fee of $45.
Instructors must submit a non-refundable renewal fee of $75.
How to File
To file online:
Once your checklist is completed, Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
To apply by mail:
Please contact us to request a mail-in application.
Contact
Related Resources
- Online Resource National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences
- Online Resource National Interstate Council of Cosmetology Boards
- Online Resource National Association of Barber Boards of America