If you have ever looked into getting your license to become a tattoo artist, it’s likely you found it to be a very confusing search for information. Most states, have regulations that specify what you need into order to become a tattoo artist. However, there are many states that leave it up to the counties to regulate. The lack of consistency between states causes problems when an artist is looking to see what requirements they need to meet in order to legally tattoo within a state.
You’ll also see in the table below that the requirements can vary widely between states. Some states only require that you pay a fee and fill out an application. Other states may require a specific number of hours be completed as a supervised apprentice.
The table below provides the requirements for each state, the fees to get a license as well as a link to the state’s website to get additional information.
Since state and county laws change every year, please make sure you check the state’s page before pursuing your license. The table below should only be used as a guide to get you started.
| State | Department | Requirements | Cost | Link to Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Department of Health | - proof of attendance from a bloodborne pathogen course or training program, given or approved by the Health Department, within the 36 months prior to applying for the permit - a personal copy of Hepatitis B vaccination record, declination form, or proof of immunity | $25 | More Info |
| Alaska | Department of Commerce | - 1,000 hours of training in a training program approved by the board - Complete CPR training - Complete blood borne pathogens training | $180 | More Info |
| Arizona | Individuals are not required to obtain licenses. | More Info | ||
| Arkansas | Department of Health | - Complete a 6-24 month training program with an artist/trainer - Each artist must complete at least 375 clock hours in no less than 6 months of supervised work - Pass written exam ($50 fee for test) - Complete an approved blood borne pathogens course | $150 | More Info |
| California | Department of Health | - Complete an approved blood borne pathogens course - Must be 18 - A certificate of Hepatitis B vaccination | $54 | More Info |
| Colorado | Department of Health and Environment | - Must be 18 - An OSHA Compliant Bloodborne Pathogen Training Certificate | $25 | More Info |
| Connecticut | Department of Public Health | - Must be 18 - Complete an approved blood borne pathogens course - Holds current certification by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association in basic first aid - Completion of 2,000 hours of practice training under the supervision of a tattoo technician | $250 | More Info |
| Delaware | Department of Public Health | Individuals are not required to obtain licenses. | More Info | |
| Florida | Department of Environmental Health | - At least 18 years of age - Copy of government-issued photo ID - Completion of the required Education Course for tattoo artist | $60 | More Info |
| Georgia | Department of Public Health | New rules are in the process of being written. Click the "More Info" link for current information. | More Info | |
| Hawaii | Department of Health | - Take a blood borne pathogen course (additional fee of $25) - Complete a Tuberculosis and Syphilis test | $75 | More Info |
| Idaho | Individuals are not required to obtain licenses. | More Info | ||
| Illinois | Department of Public Health | Individual tattoo artists working for an employer do not require a license. | More Info | |
| Indiana | Department of Health | No license required for an individual, however yearly OSHA training is required. | More Info | |
| Iowa | Department of Public Health | - Must be 18 - Must complete Bloodborne Pathogen and Standard First Aid Training - Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. | $75 | More Info |
| Kansas | Board of Cosmetology | - Complete an approved blood borne pathogens course - High school diploma or G.E.D. - Complete 50 procedures with a trained tattoo artist. Must provide documentation | $100 | More Info |
| Kentucky | Based upon the local health department guidelines. | More Info | ||
| Louisiana | Individuals are not required to obtain licenses. | More Info | ||
| Maine | Department of Health and Human Services | - Must be 18 - Complete an approved blood borne pathogens course - Demonstration of knowledge of safe practices in regard to the art of tattooing | $225 | More Info |
| Maryland | Department of Health | The state does not give licenses, but some local jurisdictions may have requirements. | More Info | |
| Massachusetts | Licenses are regulated at a county level. Some requirements include: - Complete an approved blood borne pathogens course - Complete an approved CPR course | More Info | ||
| Michigan | Department of Health and Human Services | Individuals are not licensed by the state. Only the facilities. | More Info | |
| Minnesota | Department of Health | - Must be 18 - Complete 200 hours of supervised tattooing. - Complete an approved blood borne pathogens course | $420 (for 2 years) | More Info |
| Mississippi | Department of Health | - Proof of having completed the American Red Cross “Preventing Disease Transmission” course or equivalent. - Completed and signed supervisory agreement form | $150 | More Info |
| Missouri | - Must complete 300 hours and 50 sessions of tattooing under an approved - Complete a first aid and CPR course - Complete an approved blood borne pathogens course | $100 | More Info | |
| Montana | Department of Food and Consumer Safety | Note: Yellowstone and Gallatin Counties have additional rules. -Complete training on sanitation, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens | More Info | |
| Nebraska | Department of Health and Human Services | Note: Several cities/counties require additional licenses. - Must be 18 - Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. - Complete an approved course of Bloodborne Pathogen training and First Aid training - Must report being convicted of any crimes | $95 | More Info |
| Nevada | ||||
| New Hampshire | Office of Professional Licensure and Certification | - Provide proof of at least 3 years of practicing tattooing. - Complete a course in sterilization | $110 | More Info |
| New Jersey | Department of Environmental Health | - At least 12 months of supervised training - Complete an approved course of Bloodborne Pathogen training | $100 | More Info |
| New Mexico | - Complete an approved course of Bloodborne Pathogen training - Obtain CPR and first aid certification - Complete a tattoo apprenticeship | $100 | More Info | |
| New York | - Complete the NYC Health Academy's Infection Control Course for Tattoo Artists | $100 (for 2 years) | More Info | |
| North Carolina | Licenses are regulated at a county level. | More Info | ||
| North Dakota | Licenses are regulated at a county level. | More Info | ||
| Ohio | https://www.health.nd.gov/regulation-licensure/food-and-lodging/tattoo-and-body-art-facilities | More Info | ||
| Oklahoma | Department of Health | - Must be 18 - Complete Bloodborne Pathogen training - Complete First Aid training - Complete CPR training - Complete 2 years of apprenticeship | $250 | More Info |
| Oregon | - Must be 18 - Have high school diploma or G.E.D. - Complete Bloodborne Pathogen training - Complete CPR and first aid training - Attend an Oregon licensed tattoo career school | $50 | More Info | |
| Pennslyvania | No state regulations exist. | |||
| Rhode Island | Department of Health | - Background check - Complete an exam from the Rhode Island Department of Health | $90 | More Info |
| South Carolina | - Must be 21 years old - Complete Bloodborne Pathogen training - Complete CPR and first aid training | More Info | ||
| South Dakota | Licenses are regulated at a county level. | |||
| Tennessee | Department of Health | - Must be 18 years old - Attend training - Pass exam - Be an apprentice for at least 1 year | $140 | Additional Info |
| Texas | - Complete Bloodborne Pathogen training - Complete tattoo training | More Info | ||
| Utah | Licenses are regulated at a county level. | |||
| Vermont | Office of Professional Regulation | - Apprenticeship of 1,000 hours - Complete 3 hour course on infectious diseases | More Info | |
| Virginia | - 750 hours in licensed Virginia school; or 1,500 hour Licensed Apprenticeship | $86 | More Info | |
| Washington | Department of Licensing | - Must be 18 - Complete Bloodborne Pathogen training | $250 | More Info |
| West Virginia | Licenses are regulated at a county level. | |||
| Wisconsin | Department of Safety and Professional Services | - Complete an application | $60 | More Info |
| Wyoming | No state requirements. Laramie County and the City of Cheyenne have requirements that must be met. | More Info |