---
title: HB 684. Cosmetologists; teaching of trichology training courses by certain schools; provisions
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb684
cite_as: HB 684, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb684
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb684.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb684/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71016
date: 2026-02-18
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 199
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb684.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 684
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-02-28
last_action: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
sponsors:
  - Rhonda Taylor
  - Carolyn Hugley
  - Kimberly Alexander
  - Al Williams
  - El-Mahdi Holly
text_version: Comm Sub
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB684/2025
upstream_id: 1989289
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - cosmetology licensing
  - barber schools
  - hair loss and alopecia
  - occupational training
  - beauty industry regulation
---

# HB 684. Cosmetologists; teaching of trichology training courses by certain schools; provisions

## Text

The House Committee on Regulated Industries offers the following substitute to HB 684:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 10 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
barbers and cosmetologists, so as to provide for the teaching of trichology training courses
by schools of barbering, schools of cosmetology, and schools of hair design; to require that
certain teachers and instructors complete 50 hours of trichology training; to provide
exceptions; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting
laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 10 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to barbers and
cosmetologists, is amended by revising Code Section 43-10-12, relating to regulation and
licenses for schools, teachers and instructors, registration of apprentices, and certification as
teacher by Department of Education, as follows:
"43-10-12.
(a)(1) All schools of barbering, schools of cosmetology, schools of esthetics, schools of
hair design, and schools of nail care shall:
(A) Cause to be registered in writing with the board, at the time of opening, 15 bona
fide students; provided, however, that any such school may petition to the board to add
additional courses of study with a minimum of five students per course if such school
has an active license in good standing;
(B) Have not less than one instructor for every 20 students or a fraction thereof;
(C) Keep permanently displayed a sign reading 'School of Cosmetology,' 'School of
Hair Design,' 'School of Esthetics,' 'School of Nail Care,' or 'School of Barbering' as
applicable; and all such signs shall also display the words 'Service by Students Only.'
Where service is rendered by a student, no commissions or premiums shall be paid to
such student for work done in the schools; nor shall any individual be employed by the
schools to render professional service to the public; and
(D) Provide transcripts to students upon graduation or withdrawal from the school,
provided that all tuition and fees due to the school have been satisfied. Student records
shall be maintained by the schools for a minimum of five years. If a school closes its
business, the owner is required to provide copies of all student records, including, but
not limited to, transcripts, to the board within 30 days of the school closure.
(2) All schools of cosmetology, schools of hair design, schools of esthetics, schools of
nail care, and schools of barbering shall keep in a conspicuous place as determined by the
board through rules and regulations in such schools a copy of the rules and regulations
adopted by the board.
(3) All master cosmetologists, hair designers, estheticians, nail care technicians, master
barbers, and barbers II who take an apprentice pursuant to Code Section 43-10-14 shall
file immediately with the board through the division director the name and age of such
apprentice; and the board shall cause such information to be entered on a register kept by
the division director for that purpose.
(b) Any person desiring to operate or conduct a school of cosmetology, school of hair
design, school of esthetics, school of nail care, or school of barbering prior to opening shall
first secure from the board a license to do so and shall keep the license prominently
displayed in the school in a location determined by the board through rules and regulations.
(c) The board shall have the authority to pass upon the qualifications, appointments,
courses of study, and hours of study in the school of cosmetology, school of hair design,
school of esthetics, school of nail care, or school of barbering, provided that:
(1) All schools of cosmetology shall be required to teach the following courses: theory,
permanent and cold hair waving, hair coloring, hair bleaching, hair relaxing, hair
straightening, <ins>trichology training,</ins> hair and scalp treatments, massaging the face, neck,
and scalp, hair and scalp conditioning, hair cutting and shaping, hairdressing,
shampooing, styling, comb out, waxing, threading, tweezing, reception, desk work,
facials, makeup and arching, skin care, nail care, state law, board rules and regulations,
and any other subjects related to cosmetology and sanitation;
(1.1) All schools of hair design shall be required to teach the following courses: theory,
permanent and cold hair waving, hair coloring, hair bleaching, hair relaxing, hair
straightening, <ins>trichology training,</ins> hair and scalp treatments, massaging the scalp, hair and
scalp conditioning, hair cutting and shaping, hairdressing, shampooing, styling, comb out,
reception, desk work, state law, board rules and regulations, and any other subjects
related to hair design and sanitation;
(2) All schools of esthetics shall be required to teach the following courses: theory, skin
care, facials, makeup and arching, eyelash extensions, reception, desk work, massaging
the face, neck, décolletage, or arms, trimming, tweezing, or threading eyebrows and other
facial hair, dyeing, waxing, stimulating, cleansing, or beautifying, state law, board rules
and regulations, and any other subjects related to esthetics and sanitation;
(3) All schools of nail care shall be required to teach the following courses: theory,
trimming, filing, shaping, decorating, sculpturing and artificial nails, nail care,
pedicuring, reception, desk work, state law, board rules and regulations, and any other
subjects related to nail care and sanitation; and
(4) All schools of barbering shall be required to teach the following courses: theory,
<ins>trichology training,</ins> hair and scalp treatments, massaging the face, neck, and scalp,
shampooing and conditioning, shaving, coloring of hair, hair cutting and styling, facial
hair design, facial hair waxing, permanent and cold hair waving, hair relaxing, hair
straightening, chemical application, reception, desk work, state law, board rules and
regulations, and any other subjects related to barbering and sanitation.
(d)(1) The board shall have the right to suspend or revoke the certificate, permit, or
license of or to reprimand any such school of cosmetology, school of esthetics, school of
hair design, school of nail care, school of barbering or instructor or teacher therein, for
the violation of this chapter.
(2) The board shall have the same power and authority as to sanitary conditions over
schools as it has over beauty shops, beauty salons, and barber shops.
(e)(1) All teachers or instructors shall devote their entire time to instruction of students.
Any individual desiring to teach or instruct in any school of cosmetology, school of
esthetics, school of hair design, school of nail care, or school of barbering shall first file
his or her application with the division director for a license, shall pay a fee in such
amount as shall be set by the board by rules and regulations, and shall successfully pass
both a written and a practical examination to become an instructor.
(2)(A) An individual desiring to teach at the master level shall satisfy the board that he
or she:
(i) Holds a current master cosmetologist certificate of registration and is a high
school graduate, has a state approved high school equivalency (HSE) diploma, or has
a postsecondary education or college degree;
(ii) Has 750 hours of instructor training in cosmetology at a board approved school,
<ins>50 hours of which shall consist of trichology training;</ins> and
(iii) Has one year of work experience as a master cosmetologist.
(B) An individual holding a current master cosmetologist certificate of registration at
the master level who is a high school graduate, has a state approved high school
equivalency (HSE) diploma, or has a postsecondary education or college degree; who
has completed the required board approved hours of continuing education; and has
board approved work experience as an instructor or in education may, at the board's
discretion, be permitted to take the written and the practical examination to become an
instructor at the master level.
(3)(A) An individual desiring to teach at the esthetician level shall satisfy the board
that he or she:
(i) Holds a current certificate of registration as an esthetician or master cosmetologist
and is a high school graduate, has a state approved high school equivalency (HSE)
diploma, or has a postsecondary education or college degree;
(ii) Has 500 hours of board approved instructor training in esthetics of at least nine
months;
(iii) Has one year of work experience as an esthetician or master cosmetologist; and
(iv) Has passed both a written and a practical examination to become an instructor
in esthetics.
(B) An individual holding a current cosmetology certificate of registration as an
esthetician or master cosmetologist who is a high school graduate, has a state approved
high school equivalency (HSE) diploma, or has a postsecondary education or college
degree; who has completed the required board approved hours of continuing education;
and has board approved work experience as an instructor or in education may, at the
board's discretion, be permitted to take the written and the practical examination to
become an instructor at the esthetician level.
(4)(A) An individual desiring to teach at the nail technician level shall satisfy the board
that he or she:
(i) Holds a current certificate of registration as a nail technician or master
cosmetologist and is a high school graduate, has a state approved high school
equivalency (HSE) diploma, or has a postsecondary education or college degree;
(ii) Has 250 hours of board approved instructor training in nail care of at least four
months;
(iii) Has one year of work experience as a nail technician or master cosmetologist;
and
(iv) Has passed both a written and a practical examination to become an instructor
in nail care.
(B) An individual holding a current certificate of registration as a nail technician or
master cosmetologist who is a high school graduate, has a state approved high school
equivalency (HSE) diploma, or has a postsecondary education or college degree; who
has completed the required board approved hours of continuing education; and has
board approved work experience as an instructor or in education may, at the board's
discretion, be permitted to take the written and the practical examination to become an
instructor at the nail technician level.
(5)(A) An individual desiring to teach barbering shall satisfy the board that he or she:
(i) Holds a current certificate of registration as a master barber and is a high school
graduate, has a state approved high school equivalency (HSE) diploma, or has a
postsecondary education or college degree;
(ii) Has 750 hours of board approved instructor training in barbering, <ins>50 hours of
which shall consist of trichology training;</ins> and
(iii) Has passed both a written and a practical examination to become an instructor
in barbering.
(B) An individual holding a current certificate of registration as a master barber who
is a high school graduate, has a state approved high school equivalency (HSE) diploma,
or has a postsecondary education or college degree; who has completed the required
board approved hours of continuing education; and has board approved work
experience as an instructor or in education may, at the board's discretion, be permitted
to take the written and the practical examinations to become an instructor for barbering.
(6)(A) An individual desiring to teach at the hair designer level shall satisfy the board
that he or she:
(i) Holds a current certificate of registration as a hair designer or master
cosmetologist and is a high school graduate, has a state approved high school
equivalency (HSE) diploma, or has a postsecondary education or college degree;
(ii) Has 750 hours of board approved instructor training in hair design of at least four
months, <ins>50 hours of which shall consist of trichology training;
</ins> (iii) Has one year of work experience as a hair designer or master cosmetologist; and
(iv) Has passed both a written and a practical examination to become an instructor
in hair design.
(B) An individual holding a current certificate of registration as a hair designer or
master cosmetologist who is a high school graduate, has a state approved high school
equivalency (HSE) diploma, or has a postsecondary education or college degree; who
has completed the required board approved hours of continuing education; and has
board approved work experience as an instructor or in education may, at the board's
discretion, be permitted to take the written and the practical examinations to become
an instructor at the hair designer level.
(7) Any teacher or instructor shall renew his or her certificate of registration to teach in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the division director governing expiration
dates of certificates of registration by remitting with his or her application a renewal fee
in such amount as shall be set by the board by regulation; provided, however, that any
teacher or instructor who fails to renew his or her certificate of registration to practice as
a cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician on or before the date established by the
board by regulation shall automatically have his or her certificate of registration to teach
or instruct suspended. A person failing to renew his or her certificate of registration of
a teacher or instructor at the end of the late renewal period following the expiration date
shall be required to pay a reinstatement fee.
(8) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed as preventing an individual from
obtaining a certificate of registration as teacher or instructor who is certified by the
Department of Education to teach cosmetology in the state public schools. The
certification shall be limited to those individuals who hold a current certificate of
registration as a master cosmetologist and also hold a diploma or certificate of 1,500
credit hours from a board approved school and have completed the three-year teachers
training program required by the Department of Education. Such persons shall also pass
both a written and a practical examination satisfactory to the board and, upon passage
thereof, shall receive a certificate of registration to teach cosmetology.
(f) All teachers or instructors of cosmetology at all levels seeking renewal of certificates
of registration are required to submit to the board proof of completion of 15 hours of
continuing education in the cosmetology profession approved by the board at least half of
which consists of instruction in teaching methods.
<ins>(g)(1) As used in this Code section, the term:
(A) 'Trichology' means the science of the structure, function, and diseases of human
hair, including, without limitation, alopecia.
(B) 'Trichology training' means instruction regarding trichology and the provision of
hair care services to individuals who suffer from one or more diseases of human hair,
including, without limitation, alopecia.
(2) All trichology training requirements applicable to teachers or instructors under this
Code section shall be completed at postsecondary educational institutions that provide
courses in trichology and trichology training that are approved by the Nonpublic
Postsecondary Education Commission or the board.
</ins>
<ins>(3) Any person who holds a current certification of registration to teach or instruct as of
June 30, 2026, shall not be required to complete any trichology training required under
this Code section to maintain such certification or registration; provided, however, that
such person shall complete such trichology training before such certification or
registration may be renewed under this Code section.
(4) All courses in trichology training that are required to be taught by schools of
cosmetology, schools of hair design, and schools of barbering under this Code section
shall consist of no less than 30 hours of instruction."
</ins> SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House bill would require schools of cosmetology, hair design, and barbering to teach trichology, the study of hair and scalp diseases, and require their teachers to complete 50 hours of trichology training.

### Plain-language summary

Georgia law already sets out required courses for schools of cosmetology, hair design, barbering, esthetics, and nail care, along with training requirements for the instructors who teach at those schools. This bill amends that law (O.C.G.A. § 43-10-12) to add trichology, defined as the science of the structure, function, and diseases of human hair, including alopecia, to the required curriculum at schools of cosmetology, hair design, and barbering.
Instructors seeking to teach at the master cosmetologist, barbering, or hair designer level would need 50 of their required instructor training hours to be in trichology. That training must come from postsecondary schools approved by the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission or the state licensing board. People already certified to teach as of June 30, 2026 would not have to complete the training to keep their current certification, but would have to complete it before renewing. Schools must teach at least 30 hours of trichology training to students.

### What it does

- Adds trichology training as a required course at schools of cosmetology, schools of hair design, and schools of barbering.
- Requires instructors seeking master cosmetologist, barbering, or hair designer teaching credentials to complete 50 hours of trichology training as part of their instructor training hours.
- Defines trichology as the science of the structure, function, and diseases of human hair, including alopecia.
- Requires trichology training to be completed at postsecondary schools approved by the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission or the licensing board.
- Exempts people already certified to teach as of June 30, 2026 from the new training requirement until they renew their certification.
- Sets a minimum of 30 hours of trichology instruction that schools must provide to students.

### Who it affects

Schools of cosmetology, hair design, and barbering in Georgia; current and prospective instructors at those schools who must meet new training hour requirements; and students who will now receive trichology instruction as part of their coursework.

### Why it matters

Cosmetology, barbering, and hair design students would receive formal instruction on hair and scalp diseases like alopecia, which could affect how they serve clients with hair loss conditions. Instructors would face new training requirements before becoming certified or renewing certification.

### Key provisions

- Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 43-10-12 to add trichology training to the required curriculum for schools of cosmetology, hair design, and barbering.
- Subsection (e) requires 50 of the 750 instructor training hours for master cosmetologist, barber, and hair designer instructor candidates to be in trichology.
- New subsection (g) defines trichology and trichology training and requires that training occur at institutions approved by the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission or the board.
- Subsection (g)(3) grandfathers in current teacher and instructor certificate holders as of June 30, 2026, exempting them from the training until renewal.
- Subsection (g)(4) sets a minimum of 30 hours of trichology instruction that affected schools must provide.
- Section 2 repeals conflicting laws.

## Status

- Status: Introduced (2025-02-28)
- Last action: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (2026-02-18)
- Sponsors: Rhonda Taylor, Carolyn Hugley, Kimberly Alexander, Al Williams, El-Mahdi Holly
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71016

> The history, votes, and amendments (199 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb684.md?full=1