Tattoo Parlor and Body Artist Licenses

As tattoos become more popular, starting a business as a tattoo artist or opening a tattoo parlor can be lucrative, as long as you get legal first. That begins with your obtaining your tattoo license. The verbiage used for this may vary from one state to another, and in most cases, it will be referred to as a license and permit for body artists, body art practitioners, body modification specialists, tattoo practitioners, or a tattoo technicians.

Key data points for obtaining your tattoo license:

• Licensing is done at the artist and studio level.
• Licensing can include tattoos, piercings, and micro-blading.
• Fees can range from around $100 all the way up to $1000’s. This varies by state, county, and city.
• While some tattoo artists go through serious training, it is not required for all states.
• Not only do you need to first learn how to use the tattoo needle effectively, but you will also need to learn safety precautions.
• Each state has a program for body artists that teaches about blood-borne pathogens, CPR, and other health and safety measures.
• Before you can get your tattoo license, you need to have evidence that you have taken your state’s required number of hours of training and performed the minimum number of procedures. Once you meet these requirements, you can apply for your body artist license.
• To open a tattoo parlor, you’ll need to check with your city’s business licenses, permits, and tax division for specific requirements. You’ll likely find that there are strict laws about how big your workspace must be, how many stalls you can have, what your cleaning room must contain, and how you must dispose of hazardous materials.

Pro Tip: You will be inspected before you get your tattoo license and you could receive surprise inspections each year. It’s important that being sanitary and safe is your number one priority. Even a small infraction can shut your tattoo parlor down, so train your staff well so there are no issues.