2.3 Examination, Renewal & Continuing Education

2.3 Examination, Renewal & Continuing Education

Quick Answer: Pass the Georgia Barber II written and practical exams with 70% on each, scored separately (Rule 240-6-.02); retake only the failed part. Apprentices licensed on/after July 1, 2019 must take theory within 12 months (OCGA § 43-10-13(c)). Licenses renew biennially, expiring December 31 of even-numbered years, with 5 CE hours (3 health & safety + 2 general) after a CE-exempt first renewal (Rule 240-3-.01).

Examination Standards: Rule 240-6-.02

Georgia treats the Barber II licensing examination as two separately scored parts:

1. Written (theory) examination
2. Practical examination

Under Rule 240-6-.02, an applicant must pass each section with a minimum score of 70%. Passing one part does not create a license. You need both.

Retake only what you failed

Failure to achieve a passing score requires the applicant to retake the section failed. That is a high-yield exam fact:

• Fail written, pass practical → retake written only
• Pass written, fail practical → retake practical only
• Fail both → retake both

Do not assume a failed practical voids a previously passed written score, or vice versa, under this rule framework. Keep documentation of which section you passed when you reschedule with the Board’s exam vendor (PSI for Georgia).

Eligibility notice and missed exams

Rule 240-6 materials also address notices of eligibility, fees for re-examination after failure or no-show, and limited emergency excusal concepts (for example illness or death in the family with written proof). For study purposes, prioritize the 70% / separate scoring / retake failed section triad; treat vendor scheduling fees and handbook logistics as operational details confirmed on the SOS/PSI sites before test day.

Exam fees vs renewal fees

Candidate materials commonly list separate written and practical exam fees paid to PSI (exam-meta currently reflects $58 written + $89 practical). Those are examination charges, not the same thing as Board license renewal charges. This section intentionally does not invent a renewal dollar amount—confirm current renewal fees on the Georgia Online Licensing / Board site when you renew.

Apprentice Theory Deadline: OCGA § 43-10-13(c)

Apprentices face an extra timing rule that school students do not share in the same form.

Due to OCGA § 43-10-13(c), beginning July 1, 2019, any apprentice licensed after July 1, 2019 must take the theory portion of the state Board examination within the first 12 months of being licensed as an apprentice. Board FAQ guidance emphasizes:

• The requirement applies to all apprentice license types, including Barber II
• There are no exceptions for covered apprentices
• Apprentices issued a license before July 1, 2019 are exempt from this 12-month theory mandate
• Theory transcript hours must be completed and signed by the apprentice and supervising master/supervising licensee before a notary, then submitted for Board review
• After Board approval, the apprentice receives a Letter of Eligibility to present to PSI with the testing application

Supervising masters should treat this as a compliance deadline, not an optional study tip. Missing the window creates a statute problem even if shop hours are otherwise progressing.

Biennial Renewal Timing

Once licensed, a Georgia Barber II credential is on a two-year (biennial) renewal cycle. Barber licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years (for example 2026, 2028). Mark that date early; practicing on an expired license is a shop-level and individual-level violation topic covered in the next section.

Renewal is not automatic simply because you passed the exam years ago. You must complete the Board’s renewal process (commonly through the state’s online licensing system) and meet CE requirements when they apply.

Continuing Education: Rule 240-3-.01

Rule 240-3-.01 and Board CE guidance require 5 continuing education (CE) hours per renewal cycle for Barber II (and related licenses), broken down as:

First renewal is CE-exempt

Critical exam fact: the first time you renew, you are not required to meet the CE requirements (Rule 240-3-.01(2)(a)(1) / Board FAQ). Every renewal after that first renewal requires the full 5 hours.

Proof and audits

If audited, you must submit written proof from the CE provider of attendance/completion for each course claimed. Keep certificates even when the online system appears to accept your renewal.

Historical note (do not overread it)

Older FAQ language noted that Master Barber, Barber II, and Barber Instructor licenses were exempt from CE until the 2018 renewal year and required thereafter. For current candidates, treat CE as an active ongoing duty after first renewal—not as a permanent barber exemption.

Putting Exam + Renewal Together

A clean Barber II timeline looks like this:

1. Finish 1,140 school or 2,280 / 14-month apprentice training
2. If apprentice licensed on/after 7/1/2019 → sit theory within 12 months
3. Pass written 70% and practical 70% (retake only failures)
4. Apply for licensure after both parts are passed
5. Renew by Dec 31 even years; skip CE only on first renewal; then complete 3 + 2 CE hours every cycle

Common Traps on Law Questions

• Thinking a 70% combined average across written and practical is enough — it is not; each part needs 70%
• Believing failure of one part forces a full restart of both — retake the failed section
• Ignoring the apprentice 12-month theory statute
• Claiming CE is required at first renewal — first renewal is exempt
• Inventing renewal fee numbers from memory — verify fees at renewal time; exam fees are separate