As a salon professional in Georgia you will be working in a state that offers exciting prospects and a salary that will allow you to live the life you’ve been dreaming of. The industry is so huge here, that the greater Atlanta metropolitan area actually has one of the highest concentrations of hairstylists, cosmetologists, and hairdressers of all urban areas in the nation.
Working in Georgia’s salon industry is exciting. Places like the Steve Hightower Hair Salon and Spa in Atlanta offer services that range from facials performed by skilled estheticians, to nail design and the art of sculpt cutting, which is an innovate technique developed by the owner. This is just one example of the hundreds of neighborhood salons and posh beauty spas located throughout the state.
According to the Occupational Employment Projections Unit of Georgia’s Labor Market Statistics, between the years 2012-2022, total jobs in the state’s beauty industry are projected to increase considerably:
- Cosmetologists, hairdressers, and hairstylists – 1,537 new jobs
- Skincare specialists – 351 new jobs
- Barbers – 138 new jobs
You must become licensed in a specific field to work as a beauty professional in Georgia. Licenses are granted by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology, with the exception of barber licenses, which are granted by the Georgia State Board of Barbers. To earn a license you must graduate from an approved barber or beauty college, or complete an approved apprenticeship.
Becoming a Cosmetologist in Georgia
Though your primary focus will be hair, as a cosmetologist in Georgia – referred to here as a Master Cosmetologist – you will be able to perform services for your clients that are associated with an array of salon professions:
- Hair stylist, hair dresser, and hair designer
- Esthetician
- Makeup artist
- Nail technician
Cosmetology Schools in Georgia
Georgia law requires that you complete one of the following Master Cosmetology education options:
- Graduate from a licensed beauty school that is at least 1,500 hours long over the course of 9 months
- Complete an approved apprenticeship that is at least 3,000 hours and 18 months long
Your education will cover topics that include:
- Theory of perms, cold waving, hair design, hair coloring, hair bleaching, and hair cutting
- Scalp treatments
- Styling, including comb outs
- Facials, including makeup and arching
- Skin care
- Nail care
- Business ethics and customer service
- Georgia state laws and rules
Cosmetology License Examinations
Before you can earn your license you will need to pass two examinations that are administered by the testing company PSI:
- Georgia Master Cosmetology Practical Examination
- NIC Cosmetology Theory Examination
You can prepare for both these exams by consulting the Cosmetology Exam Candidate Information Bulletin.
Georgia’s Master Cosmetologist Employers
As a master cosmetologist you will be able to provide the widest array of services of all licensed beauty professionals. This can include any of the following:
- Makeup artist opportunities with film production, the performing artists, cosmetic companies, and beauty salons
- Hair stylist and hair cutting jobs
- Manicurist and pedicurist positions
- Beauty products and the skin therapy services that an esthetician would offer
Having this versatility of skills can make you an attractive candidate, especially at spas like Steve Hightower’s in Atlanta where you have the potential to fill vacancies left by several classes of beauty artists.
Becoming a Hair Designer in Georgia
As a licensed hair designer you can provide your clients with services like:
- Hair cutting and dressing
- Hair singeing
- Hair dyeing and lightening
- Shampooing
Hair Designer Training in Georgia
You have two options when it comes obtaining your hair designer education:
- Graduate from an approved hair designer school that is at least 1,325 hours in length and 7 months long
- Complete an approved apprenticeship that is at least 2,650 hours in length and 14 months long
As you complete your education you will study topics like:
- Theory of hair design, hair cutting, and hair coloring
- Styling options and techniques
- Scalp treatments
- Methods of hair singeing
- Shampooing
- Georgia laws and rules
Hair Designer License Examinations
To earn your license you will need to pass two examinations that are administered by the company PSI:
- Georgia Hair Design Practical Examination
- NIC Hair Design Theory Examination
You can start preparing for both these examinations by looking over the hair design sections in the Cosmetology Exam Candidate Information Bulletin.
Georgia’s Hair Designer Employers
As a hair designer in Georgia you have your choice of working as an employee for some of the hottest salons in the state, or of filling out an application for your own salon where you can work independently.
Some well known salons in Georgia include:
- Sören Salon in Atlanta
- Bliss Salon at CaraVail’s in Columbus
- Mack Hair Salon in Albany
- Kera Vie Salon in Johns Creek
- Bella Mia Hair Salon in Roswell
Becoming a Nail Technician in Georgia
If you are a licensed nail technician you can offer services to your clients that include:
- Manicures and pedicures
- Nail painting, decorating, and sculpting
Nail Technician Schools in Georgia
You have two routes to choose from to complete the required nail technician education for licensure:
- Graduate from an approved nail technician school that is at least 525 hours in length and 4 months long
- Complete an approved nail technician apprenticeship that is at least 1,050 hours in length and 8 months long
As you complete your education you will study subjects that include:
- Manicure and pedicure theory
- Nail shaping, filing, and sculpting
- Options for nail art
- Application of artificial nails and polish
- Georgia regulations and rules
Nail Technician License Examinations
Before you can earn your license you will need to pass two examinations:
- Georgia Nail Technician Practical Examination
- NIC Nail Technician Theory Examination
These tests are administered by the company PSI. You can start preparing for these by reviewing the nail technician portion of the Cosmetology Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin.
Georgia’s Nail Technician Employers
Nail technicians can start their own business or choose to work for an existing nail salon or beauty spa. As a newly licensed professional you can consider places like:
- Crystal Nails in Savannah
- Nail Garden in Augusta
- Nouvelle Nail Spa in Atlanta
- Venetian Nails in Macon
- Headline Nails in Athens
Becoming an Esthetician in Georgia
As a licensed esthetician you can offer the following services to your clients:
- Eyebrow trimming
- Face and neck massage
- Makeup application
- Eyebrow and eyelash dyeing
- Waxing, cleansing, and beautifying services for a client’s skin on the neck, face, legs, or arms
Esthetician Education in Georgia
You will need to complete one of the following education options to become eligible for an esthetician license:
- Graduate from an approved school that is at least 1,000 hours in length and 9 months long
- Complete an apprenticeship that is at least 2,000 hours in length and that stretches over the course of 18 months
As you complete your studies you will learn about subjects such as:
- Facial applications
- Makeup applications and arching
- Eyebrow trimming and waxing
- Face and neck massage
- Dyeing and waxing techniques
- Methods of skin cleansing and beautifying
- Georgia laws and state regulations
- Charm and reception
Esthetician License Examinations
To become eligible for a license you must pass two examinations which are administered by the testing company PSI:
- NIC Esthetician Practical Examination
- NIC Esthetician Theory Examination
You can prepare for these exams by reviewing the esthetician section in the Cosmetology Examination Candidate Information Bulletin.
Georgia’s Esthetician Employers
Being an esthetician will allow you to work in places seeking skin specialists as well as makeup artists. This can include:
- Luv Mineral Cosmetics in Conyers
- Utopia Salon and Spa in Macon
- Groupe Clarins in Atlanta
- Ulta Beauty in Atlanta
- Pinewood Atlanta Studios film production company
Becoming a Makeup Artist in Georgia
To work professionally as a makeup artist you will need to be licensed. The Georgia Board of Cosmetology issues the following two licenses that will allow you to work as a makeup artist. The Board does not offer a specific makeup artist license:
- Master cosmetologist license
- Esthetician license
Georgia’s Makeup Artist Employers
Working as a makeup artist can be an extremely fun and rewarding career. You can potentially work in places that range from cosmetic companies and community opera or theatre troupes to film production studios and beauty salons. Some locally-based businesses in Georgia include:
- Aura Hair and Makeup in Roswell
- MAC Cosmetics in Atlanta
- Saks Fifth Avenue in Atlanta
- CNN makeup artist with Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta
- EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Atlanta
Becoming a Barber in Georgia
As a licensed barber in Georgia you can offer services that include:
- Beard shaving and trimming
- Facial and scalp massages
- Hair cutting and hair dressing
- Facial and scalp treatments with oils, creams, and other preparations
- Shampooing and singeing of the hair
- Hair dyeing, perming, and straightening
Barber Schools in Georgia
To be eligible for a barber license you need to complete one of the following routes of education:
- Graduate from an approved barber school that is at least 1,500 hours in length
- Complete an approved apprenticeship that is at least 3,000 hours in length
Your education will entail the study of subjects that include:
- Hair and scalp analysis
- Shaving techniques
- Hair coloring, cutting, and styling
- Hair perms and hair relaxing
- Performance of facial treatments, facial hair design, waxing, and massage
- Shampooing
- Hygiene, sterilization, and sanitation
- Georgia laws and regulations
Barber License Examinations
To earn your barber license you will need to pass two exams that are administered by the company PSI:
- Georgia Barber 1 Practical Examination
- NIC Barber Styling Written Examination
You can start reviewing for these exams by looking over the Barber Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin.
Employment Opportunities for Georgia’s Barbers
As a newly licensed barber you can work for an existing respected establishment or apply for a license to open your own shop. You may find ideas for employment or shop themes with places like:
- Old School Barber Shoppe in Columbus
- Tune Ups Barbershop in Sandy Springs
- Durdens Monte Sano Barber Shop in Augusta
- Juan’s Barber Shop in Savannah
- Bulldog Barbers in Athens