O.C.G.A. § 7-1-704

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this article, all licenses issued pursuant to this article shall expire on December 31 of each year, and each application for renewal shall be made annually on or before December 1 of each year. A license may be renewed by the filing of an application substantially conforming to the requirements of Code Section 7-1-702 and the department’s rules and regulations. No investigation fee shall be payable in connection with such renewal application. However, an annual license fee established by rule or regulation of the department to defray the cost of supervision shall be paid with each renewal application and shall not be refunded or prorated.