Cottage food rules
Home Bakery License in Georgia: Is There a Test?
What changed in Georgia, and what to check before you sell your first bake.
On this page
What to remember
- Georgia removed the state cottage food license and fee on July 1, 2025 under House Bill 398.
- No state exam stands between you and selling bakes from home.
- Labels still have to spell out the nine major food allergens.
- On a private septic system, call your county health department before you start.
If you have been hunting for a study guide and nothing turned up, that is why. The old license is gone. Start with the wider picture in Georgia cottage food laws and then come back here for the parts people get wrong.
What House Bill 398 actually changed
Governor Kemp signed House Bill 398 in May 2025, and it took effect on July 1, 2025. The bill eliminated the state cottage food licensing requirement. It also allowed sales to retail stores, which home based producers could not do before. So the honest answer to where you take the test is that there is no state test to take.
That does not mean every state works this way. Some still run a course or exam before you can sell, and our guide to the Colorado cottage food test shows what that looks like. Georgia is simply not one of them anymore.
The paperwork you may still want
The Georgia Department of Agriculture offers an optional Identification Number. It exists for operators who would rather not print their home address on a label. Nothing forces you to get one, but if you sell at a market or hand out cards, it is worth knowing the option is there. Our walkthrough of Georgia cottage food law requirements covers the rest of the list.
Labels are where bakers get caught
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s cottage food guidance covers labeling, hygiene, food safety, and nutrition and ingredient information. The rule that trips people up most is allergens. The nine major food allergens have to be clearly identified, either inside the ingredients statement or in a Contains line right after the ingredients. Pick one style and use it on every label you print.
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Before you bake for strangers
Two practical checks before your first order. If your home is on a private septic system, contact your county health department to confirm the system is acceptable for the operation. And Georgia’s Food Service Rules and Regulations, 511-6-1, were revised on February 12, 2025 to reflect the 2022 FDA Food Code, so the food safety standards your kitchen is measured against are current ones.
If you want to see how a state with a formal step before selling handles it, our guide to Florida home bakery license requirements is a useful contrast. Georgia’s path is shorter, but the labeling and safety habits are just as real.
- Georgia Cottage Food Laws: What Home Bakers Need
- Georgia Cottage Food Law Requirements
- Home Bakery License in Colorado: The Test and What You Need
- Home Bakery License in Florida: What You Need to Know
Common questions
Do I need a license to sell baked goods from my home in Georgia?
No state cottage food license is required as of July 1, 2025. House Bill 398 removed the state license and the fee that went with it.
Is there a test or course I have to pass first?
No. The state licensing requirement was removed, so there is no state exam to sit. Your labeling and your food safety habits are what matter now.
What has to be on my label?
The nine major food allergens must be clearly identified, either in the ingredients statement or in a Contains statement following the ingredients. The Department of Agriculture's guidance also covers nutrition and ingredient information.
Can I sell my bakes to a retail store now?
Yes. The new law allows sales to retail stores, which home based producers could not do before House Bill 398 took effect.
Do I need an Identification Number?
It is optional. The Georgia Department of Agriculture offers one for operators who prefer not to disclose their home address.
What if my home has a septic system?
Contact your county health department to confirm the septic system is acceptable for the operation before you start selling.
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so confirm details with the Georgia Department of Agriculture or your county health department before you sell.