Tattoo License Laws By State

Written by: Pete
Updated:
 

State

 

 

Issuing Department

License Title

 

 

Requirements

 

 

Application Link

 

 

Expiration

 

 

Alabama

 

 

Alabama Department of Public Health
Body Art Operator's Permit

 

Current Bloodborne Pathogen Training Certificate
Course MUST be approved by ADPHProof of Hepatitis B VaccinationCopy of Photo I.D.
 

Apply Here

 

1 Year
 

Alaska

 

 

Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Tattooing and Permanent Cosmetic Coloring License

 

 

Note: The state of Alaska requires a formal exam for licensure. The requirements listed are those to sit the exam.

 

Completed Apprenticeship Training of 380 Hours or More (380+)

Notarized Application

Verified Proof of Training Record

Certified Copy of Current CPR and Blood Borne Pathogens Card

If trained outside of Alaska: Completed Affidavit Confirming Study of the Statute and Regulation Booklet

 

Apply Here

 

August 31st of Every Odd-Numbered Year
Arizona
No License Required
No License Required
N/A
N/A
 

Arkansas

 

 

Arkansas Department of Public Health
Tattoo Artist, Permanent Cosmetic Artist, Body Piercer or Brander License

 

 

Note: The state of Arkansas requires a formal exam for licensure. The requirements listed are those to sit the exam.

 

Completed Apprenticeship (minimum of 6 months, maximum of 24 months)

375 Completed Clock Hours of Supervised Body Art Work (Log Submitted by Trainer)

Certified Copy of Current CPR and Blood Borne Pathogens Card

If applying for licensure as a permanent cosmetic artist, must provide a copy of high school diploma or GED

 

View Application Requirements Here

Arkansas requires a request in writing for an application and testing information.

 

December 31 of Each Year
California
Managed By County Health Departments
While licensing is managed by each individual county, the state has basic requirements including:

LEA-Approved Bloodborne Pathogen Course Completion Certificate
Hepatitis B Vaccination
N/A
County Dependent
Colorado
Managed By County Health Departments
While licensing is managed by each individual county, the state has basic requirements including:

LEA-Approved Bloodborne Pathogen Course Completion Certificate
Hepatitis B Vaccination
Red Cross CPR and First Aid Certification
N/A
County Dependent
Conneticut
Does Not Require License
As of this writing, Conneticut does not require licensing, but House Bill 6590 (sHB 6590) passed unanimously last year (May 2013), and licensing programs should be expected in the near future.
N/A
N/A
Delaware
Does Not Require License
Delaware requires the registration of shops and shop owners must have a permit from the Health Department, but no individual license is required.
N/A
N/A
Florida
 

Florida Department of Health
Tattoo Artist License

 

Certificate of Completion for Bloodborne Pathogens and Communical Diseases Course (Score of 70% or Greater)

Copy of Government-Issued ID

 

Apply Here

 

Yearly
Georgia
Managed By County Health Departments
While licensing is managed by each individual county, many counties have not yet established rules for licensing. The state is aiming for 100% compliance in 2014.
N/A
N/A
Hawaii
 

State of Hawaii Department of Health
State of Hawaii Tattoo Artist License

 

Proof of Completion of Bloodborne Pathogens Course from an Approved Location

Completed Tuberculosis and Syphilis Report Form (Hepatitis B vaccine is strongly recommended.)

 

Apply Here

 

On January 31 of Each Year
Idaho
Does Not Require License
Idaho requires the registration of shops and shop owners must have a permit from the Health Department, but no individual license is required.
N/A
N/A
Illinois
Does Not Require License
Illinois requires the registration of shops and shop owners must have a permit from the Health Department, but no individual license is required. It does, however, required ALL artists to complete a OSHA-approved Bloodborne Pathogens course.
N/A
N/A
Indiana
Does Not Require License
Indiana requires the registration of shops and shop owners must have a permit from the Health Department, but no individual license is required. It does, however, required ALL artists to complete a OSHA-approved Bloodborne Pathogens course.
N/A
N/A
Iowa
 

Iowa Department of Public Health
Tattoo Artist License

 

High School Diploma or GED

Proof of Bloodborne Pathogen Training Completion

AHA First Aid Training

Completed Application With Included Permit Questions

Apply Here
On December 31 of Each Year
Kansas
 

Kansas Board of Cosmetology
Body Art Practitioner License

 

 

Note: The state of Kansas requires a formal exam for licensure. The requirements listed are those to sit the exam.

 

Completion of Board-Approved Body Art Training Program

Proof of High School Diploma or GED

Certificate of Completed Bloodborne Pathogens Course

Copy of Consent Forms for 50 Performed Procedures During Apprenticeship

Completed Application With Proof of Age & Identification

 

Apply Here for Required Apprenticeship

Apply Here for Exam

 

1 Year
Kentucky
 

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Primarily Managed By County Health Departments

 

Kentucky requires all tattoo artists be registered with the county health department in which they will be working and requires registration of tattoo shops and an annual inspection of the premises, but gives no formal requirements for artist training.
N/A
 

1 Year

 

Louisiana
Does Not Require License
Louisiana requires the registration of shops and shop owners must have a permit from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, but no individual license is required.
N/A
N/A

 

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