Georgia's Licensed Professionals Face Less Red Tape, Fewer Barriers to Success

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, May 19th, 2026

Six months after Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger formally launched the GOALS licensing system at a ribbon-cutting celebrating the new headquarters of the Professional Licensing Division, the results show significant progress in modernizing professional licensing services across Georgia.

As of May 6, 2026, GOALS supports 568,838 active licenses across 43 professional licensing boards, providing Georgians with faster, more efficient access to licensing services. The renewal process through GOALS has proven to be seamless and efficient, scaling back the hurdles and red tape needed to pursue professional endeavors in Georgia.

Since the formal launch, 107,603 nursing licenses have been renewed, along with 43,729 master cosmetology licenses - a significant portion of Georgia’s licensed professionals.

The system’s Application Tracker has also become a major success for applicants seeking real-time updates without needing to contact the call center or reach out for assistance. Since launching on December 15, 2025, 19,208 unique users have utilized the tracker with approximately 2,000 users access the tracker daily.

“These numbers show GOALS is delivering exactly what it was designed to do - provide a faster, more transparent licensing experience for Georgians,” said Secretary Raffensperger. “We’re seeing strong performance across multiple boards, and applicants are benefiting from modernized tools that save time and improve communication.”

The Secretary of State’s office continues investing in customer service improvements, including expanded staffing and training efforts at the call center, as the department builds on the early success of GOALS and the improved services at the Macon office.

The six-month milestone reflects continued momentum toward a more efficient and accessible professional licensing system for the State of Georgia, allowing hardworking Georgians to enter the workforce faster and focus on building strong businesses, not paperwork.