Practitioners

view Application for Body Art Practitioners & Apprentices (PDF)

The department issues both apprentice and professional licenses for tattoo artists and body piercers.

To qualify for an apprentice license, you must:

• Complete a series of coursework, including a college-level anatomy and physiology class (or an equivalent, department-approved course) and a class on disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens.
• Maintain current certification in basic first aid and CPR.

To qualify for a professional license, you must:

• Fulfill the requirements for an apprentice license.
• Complete a two-year apprenticeship program under the supervision of a professional practitioner or demonstrate two years of full-time experience as a body art practitioner.

For more information, see Body Art Practitioners: Frequently Asked Questions.

Establishments

view Application for Body Art Establishments (PDF)

All body art establishments must be inspected prior to licensure. Department staff conduct a comprehensive inspection of the physical space and review the establishment's operating and safety procedures. The inspection ensures that all body art activities conducted in the establishment comply with regulations, and will not negatively impact the public health of the community.

Inspections are conducted every six months, or when changing conditions warrant one.

For more information, see Body Art Establishments: Frequently Asked Questions.