(a) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any person at least 17 years of age from learning the occupation of cosmetology under a master cosmetologist, provided that such cosmetologist has had at least 36 months' experience and has held a certificate of a master cosmetologist for at least 36 months. In addition, nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any person at least 17 years of age from learning the occupation of cosmetology under an instructor in a school of cosmetology who has been a cosmetologist for a period of at least one year and has registered under this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any person at least 17 years of age from learning the occupation of esthetics under a cosmetologist holding a master cosmetologist certificate or an esthetician certificate, provided that such cosmetologist has had at least 36 months' experience, or under an instructor in a school of cosmetology or school of esthetics who has held a certificate as a cosmetologist for a period of at least one year, is qualified to teach said practices, and has registered under this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any person at least 17 years of age from learning the occupation of nail care or manicuring under a cosmetologist holding a master cosmetologist certificate or a nail technician certificate, provided that such cosmetologist has had at least 36 months' experience, or under an instructor in a school of cosmetology or school of nail care who has been a licensed cosmetologist for a period of at least one year, is qualified to teach said practices, and has registered under this chapter. Any person registered as an apprentice under this Code section on June 30, 1997, shall be eligible to continue such apprenticeship under the person from whom that apprentice was learning the occupation of cosmetology, esthetics, or nail care or manicuring at the time of registration notwithstanding that the person under whom the apprentice was learning such occupation does not meet the 36 months' experience otherwise required by this Code section. Every shop owner shall have the responsibility for registering apprentices with the division director. The shop owner shall file a statement in writing, showing the apprentice's name and the address of the shop. The board shall have the authority to require the shop owner to furnish to the board the number of hours completed by the apprentice. The shop owner shall remit to the division director a fee in such amount as shall be set by the board by regulation for the registration of the apprentice. The apprentice shall receive a certificate of registration showing the capacity in which he or she is permitted to practice cosmetology. The certificate of registration shall be effective for a period of two years and may be renewed at the end of such period upon the filing of an application on forms furnished by the division director and the payment of a renewal fee in such amount as shall be set by the board by regulation. A certificate of registration authorizing a person to learn the occupation of cosmetology under a cosmetologist shall not be renewed more than one time; and, upon the expiration of the last certificate of registration issued, such person shall not be permitted to practice in any capacity.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code section, the board shall be authorized to waive any education requirements under this Code section in cases of hardship, disability, or illness or under such other circumstances as the board deems appropriate with respect to any applicant who was enrolled in a board approved school or had completed a board approved study course as of June 30, 2000.