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GeorgiaHB 5792025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Professions and businesses; licensure to engage in trade; provisions

Sponsored By: Sandy Donatucci (Republican), Tim Fleming (Republican), Matt Hatchett (Republican), Brian Prince (Democrat), Matt Reeves (Republican), Marcus Wiedower (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationsRegulated Industries and UtilitiesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

License holders get 45-day renewal grace

Beginning July 1, 2026, Georgia license and certificate holders can renew up to 45 days after expiration. Holders must still meet all renewal requirements and pay all required fees. Division-administered licenses and certificates last up to two years and follow a two-year renewal cycle. The director sets renewal, expiration, and penalty dates with board approval.

More ways to process professional licenses

Beginning July 1, 2026, Georgia’s licensing division director can issue, renew, or reinstate licenses for applicants meeting all legal and board requirements. Applications go to the board when the director cannot confirm those qualifications. For exams requiring board approval, the director can approve applicants who meet all exam prerequisites. The director cannot override board exam decisions and must stop reviewing license applications once the board decides them. The director can also verify college education without official transcripts through other reliable confirmation from the school. Georgia colleges are encouraged to help develop these methods.

Licensing board members lose removal hearings

Beginning July 1, 2026, Georgia’s governor can remove professional licensing board members without first providing notice or a hearing. Removal must be for inability or neglect to perform required duties, incompetence, or dishonest conduct. The law removes those members’ prior notice and hearing protections.

Counseling and therapy standards committees end

Beginning July 1, 2026, Georgia ends separate specialty standards committees for professional counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy. This removes those committees from the professions’ oversight structure. The repeal does not specify changes to licensing eligibility or fees.

Licensing boards face public-protection rule limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, Georgia licensing boards can adopt rules only to protect public health, safety, and welfare. The rules must concern the profession, business, or trade the board oversees. This limits boards’ rulemaking power and protects regulated people and businesses from rules outside that purpose.

Public license lists include unlicensed-work orders

Beginning July 1, 2026, Georgia posts a combined roster on the Secretary of State’s public website. It lists licensees and people ordered to stop practicing a business or profession without a license. People whose renewal lapse is 45 days or less are excluded from the order list. Licensees’ home addresses are not shown. Consumers gain licensing information, while listed people face public disclosure of their status or orders.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Sandy Donatucci

    Republican • House

  • Tim Fleming

    Republican • House

  • Matt Hatchett

    Republican • House

  • Brian Prince

    Democrat • House

  • Matt Reeves

    Republican • House

  • Marcus Wiedower

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Larry Walker

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 211 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 53 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 158 • No: 2 • Other: 16

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/9/2025House

  3. Act 89

    5/9/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025House

  5. Senate Third Read

    3/27/2025Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/27/2025Senate

  7. Senate Read Second Time

    3/21/2025Senate

  8. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/20/2025Senate

  9. Senate Read and Referred

    3/10/2025Senate

  10. House Third Readers

    3/6/2025House

  11. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2025House

  12. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/27/2025House

  13. House Second Readers

    2/26/2025House

  14. House First Readers

    2/24/2025House

  15. House Hopper

    2/21/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 579/AP* (v8)

    PDF

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