If you’re interested in beauty treatments and skin care, you might consider a career as an esthetician. Georgia has some of the most rigorous training available for estheticians, which means that once you found the right school or schools, you will have some of the best training in the country.

To begin your journey, check out the following article for the requirements and commitments you will need to make.

Atlanta, GA Skyline
Atlanta, GA Skyline, by Chuck Koehler [CC BY 2.0]

Education Requirements

Becoming an esthetician in Georgia requires 1000 hours of classes and training in an esthetician training program. You will learn the basics of salon management, hygiene and safety care, and various beauty treatments, from speed waxing to chemical peeling, to makeup and color theory.

Many esthetician programs in Georgia schools offer specializations in advanced skin technologies, body treatments, and even cosmetic surgery. The more well-rounded your education, the more you are able to learn, but as you move toward a career, you might consider specializing in a particular field.

In lieu of a state-approved program, you may choose to complete an apprenticeship. Your apprenticeship is four years, and you must apply at a state-approved salon or medical esthetician’s office in order for your work to count toward your apprenticeship. Info about esthetician and cosmetologist apprenticeships in GA (pdf)

Getting Your Georgia Esthetics License

Before you can be licensed to work in Georgia, the state board requires that you pass both your practical and written exams. If you are studying at a school, your instructor will submit your eligibility info. For apprenticeship students, you will need to apply for your verification of eligibility yourself.

Both the written and practical exams are 90 minutes. You will need to bring your own mannequin, clamps, and kit to your practical exams. Live models are not permitted.

When you have finished your exams and passed, you can apply for your official license, either by mail or online.

If you are relocating to Georgia and you would like to transfer your license, there are states that Georgia has reciprocity agreements with. You will need to complete an application and check online for the list of states to which the agreement applies. Otherwise, you may be required to re-certify by taking the written and practical exam over again.

Continuing Education and License Renewal for Georgia Estheticians

Your license should be renewed by August 31st in odd-numbered years.

You must also complete five hours of continuing education to refresh your knowledge before the state can reinstate your license. Three of the five required hours must be concerning health and safety courses. The other two can be anything from business management to trade shows and industry events to advanced industry techniques such as microblading or other online courses.

Georgia Esthetician Job Opportunities

Estheticians are growing exponentially in Georgia. This makes it an excellent place to work. The number of esthetician jobs in Georgia is expected to grow at double the rate of other fields in the next two years, so there are plenty of jobs available. Many of Georgia’s top-notch skin care programs offer job placement in various fields, from the film and fashion industry to salons and spas.

The average yearly salary for estheticians is above $30,000 a year, making it one of the best-paying states for the profession. And that doesn’t even include the tip, which will increase your overall take-home pay. Help in finding employment can be found at this site.

Get an idea about what is included in your training on this page.

Some Esthetician Schools in Georgia

NameAddressCostOther Programs
Elaine Sterling Institute Esthetics Nails and Massage4840 Roswell Road Building E Suite 201 Atlanta, 30342Tuition $13,500
Kit $1,623
Registration Fees $184
TOTAL: $15,307
Massage Therapy,Nail Care,
International School of Skin, Nailcare, and Massage Therapy5600 Roswell Road Northeast, Atlanta, 30342Registration Fee: $ 100.00
Textbooks : $240.00
Tuition: $14,960.00
Total Investment: $15,300.00
Nail Care, Massage Therapy, Spa
Rivertown School of Beauty4747 Hamilton Road, Suite #E
Columbus, 31904
Tuition $11,000.00
Enrollment Fee $100.00
Kit Charge $700.00
Book Charge $300.00
Total $12,100.00
Cosmetology, Barbering, Nail Technician
Virtual Beauty Esthetics & Makeup School, LLC368 West Pike Street #204, Lawrenceville, 30046Medical Esthetics
$9,900.00
Clinical Esthetics
$6,900.00
Basic Esthetics
$4,900.00
Spa Management, Studio Styling Make Up Artist,
Dalton Institute100 West Walnut Avenue, Dalton, 30720UnknownMaster Cosmetology,Nail Technology
Hogan Institute of Cosmetology & Esthetics495 Indian Trail Lilburn Road Northwest, Lilburn, 30047Uniform $200
Books $1060
Standard Kit Fess $1650
App and Reg Fee $200
Tuition $13,900
Total $17,010
Cosmetology, Make Up Artistry

List Schools (continued)

Academy of Beauty Arts – Flowery Branch

Ensynergy Southeastern School of Esthetics & Facial Spa – Tyrone

Paul Mitchell the School Esani – Alpharetta

Other Georgia schools for nail techs, barbers, and cosmetologists.

atlantabeautyacademy.com

atlantainstituteofaesthetics.com

daltoninstitute.com

gci.edu

healthandstyleinstitute.com

issnschoolspa.com

kennethshuler.com

paulmitchellatlanta.edu

Rrivertownschoolofbeauty.com

Did we miss any Georgia schools for the study of esthetics? Please contact us to let us know.