SB 485: Professional Counselors; applicants for a license in social work enrolled in a master's degree program to take the master's social work licensing examination in their final semester of the program; authorize

This bill changes several unrelated parts of Georgia's professional licensing laws. Currently, people seeking a license in social work must finish their master's degree before taking the required licensing exam. The bill would let students enrolled in an accredited master's in social work program take the master's social work licensing exam during their final semester, before graduating, and lets the licensing board write rules to administer this change. Separately, starting July 1, 2028, the bill requires anyone applying for or renewing a nail technician certificate, and any apprentice training to become one, to submit a photocopy of a driver's license or ID card that meets federal REAL ID standards. Shops would have to display a photo from that ID alongside the certificate. The bill also requires the organization that certifies behavior analysts, such as the Behavor Analyst Certification Board, to be a tax-exempt nonprofit under federal law.

• Lets applicants for a social work license take the master's social work licensing exam in their final semester rather than waiting until after graduation.
• Requires, starting July 1, 2028, nail technician applicants to submit a photocopy of a REAL ID compliant driver's license or ID card with their application.
• Requires nail technicians to submit an ID photocopy again when renewing their certificate, starting July 1, 2028.
• Requires beauty shops to collect ID photocopies from nail technician apprentices and display a photo from that ID in the shop.
• Requires the entity that certifies behavior analysts, like the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, to be a nonprofit organization exempt from federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3).

Master's degree students seeking a social work license, the state licensing board for counselors, social workers, and therapists, nail technicians and nail technician apprentices, beauty shop and salon owners, and organizations that certify behavior analysts, such as the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Social work students could become licensed and start working sooner after graduation instead of waiting to sit for the exam. Nail technicians and shop owners would face new paperwork and display requirements tied to identification starting in 2028, and behavior analyst certification would be limited to nonprofit entities.

• Section 1 requires nail technician applicants, starting July 1, 2028, to include a photocopy of a REAL ID compliant driver's license or ID card with their application (O.C.G.A. § 43-10-9).
• Section 2 requires nail technicians to display a photo from their ID alongside their certificate and to resubmit an ID photocopy at renewal, effective July 1, 2028 (O.C.G.A. § 43-10-10).
• Section 3 requires beauty shop owners to collect and display ID photocopies for nail technician apprentices starting July 1, 2028 (O.C.G.A. § 43-10-14).
• Section 4 allows social work license applicants in their final semester of an accredited master's program to sit for the licensing exam and lets the board adopt implementing rules (O.C.G.A. § 43-10A-9).
• Section 5 requires the certifying entity for behavior analysts to be a nonprofit organization exempt from federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3) (O.C.G.A. § 43-7A-2).

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-11Act 514
3. 2026-05-11Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senado)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senado)
5. 2026-03-27Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senado)
6. 2026-03-23House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2026-03-23House Third Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
8. 2026-03-18House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Cámara de Representantes)

• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)Patrocinador principal
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Alan Powell (R, HD-033)

1. AprobadaVotación: Senado6 de marzo de 2026

   48 a favor, 0 en contra (3 sin votar, 4 ausentes)

   Passage: Senate Vote #665

2. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes23 de marzo de 2026

   121 a favor, 46 en contra (1 sin votar, 8 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #747

3. AprobadaVotación: Senado27 de marzo de 2026

   46 a favor, 0 en contra (1 sin votar, 7 ausentes)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #856

• social work licensing
• professional licensing
• nail technicians
• behavior analyst certification
• REAL ID requirements