Kansas Tattoo License Requirements

In Kansas, tattooing is considered a form of body art. As such, there are requirements and regulations in place to protect both the artist and the client.

In this article, we’ll break down:

  • What the requirements are to become a tattoo artist
  • Where to get the paperwork you need
  • Where to learn more about regulations at the county level

How to Become a Cosmetic Tattoo Artist in Kansas

To be a tattoo artist in Kansas, individuals must have a “Body Art Practitioner License” issued by the state of Kansas. A Body Art Practitioner License costs $100. 

You must renew your permit every two years. Renewal costs $50.To apply for a Body Art Practitioner License, you must provide:

1

Complete an Apprenticeship

If you want to become a tattoo artist (sometimes called a “permanent cosmetic artist”), you need to complete an apprenticeship. 

Before you start, you’ll need to fill out and turn in a Body Art Apprentice License

During a tattoo apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to sterilize equipment and safely tattoo to keep clients from getting infected while practicing body piercing.

During your apprenticeship, you must fill out a Body Art Apprentice Client Record Log, which shows you have completed 50 procedures.

Each procedure must be signed off by a trainer (licensed tattoo artist). Kansas requires that this person is a licensed artist.

When you finish your apprenticeship, fill out and turn in a Body Art Practitioner License application.

Note:

You must have a high school diploma or GED to apply to be a tattoo artist. You won’t turn in a copy of your diploma, though. Your school or program will need to send proof of graduation directly.

Blood borne Pathogens Training

Verification of 8 hours of a Board-approved infection control and bloodborne pathogens training is also necessary to do cosmetic tattooing in Kansas.

As a body piercer or tattoo artist, it is important to have a thorough understanding of blood borne pathogens and how to prevent the spread of diseases.

A blood borne pathogens training course will teach you about the risks associated with body piercing and tattooing, as well as how to protect yourself and your clients from infection.

The course will also cover the proper disposal of needles and other sharps, as well as how to clean and sterilize equipment. By completing a blood borne pathogens training course, you can help ensure that body piercing and tattooing are safe for both you and your clients.

Birth Certificate/Identification Documentation

A legible photocopy of your Social Security Card and your government issued ID.

Exam License Required

Once you have finished and submitted your application, you will need to take the Licensure Exam. Information on the exam can be found here and here. Each individual performing tattooing in the state must have a high school diploma and have passed this formal exam in order to practice tattooing or body piercing.

Additional County Application and Testing Information

If your county has additional regulations, you can find them on the respective county health departments pages.

Transferring a License for Cosmetic Tattooing From Another State

  • You can apply for a Kansas license if your training has been done out-of-state. The application for an Out of State Body Art Examination can be found here.
  • It’s up to individual states if they will accept a Kansas license. Kansas does provide a form to verify your license and training to transfer to another state. The form can be found here.

Turn in Your Application

You can submit your online application and renew your license here or here. Or, you can mail the forms here:

Kansas Board of Cosmetology
714 SW Jackson Street Ste. 100
Topeka, KS 66603

After you have submitted your application and taken your exam, you will receive your license within 7-10 business days.

Things You Should Know:

It is illegal to perform tattooing on any person under the age of 18 without the prior written and notarized consent of a parent or court-appointed guardian. The person giving such consent must be present during the tattooing.

This license does not allow you to perform laser tattoo removal.

How to Get a Valid Establishment License for Body Piercing and Cosmetic Tattooing in Kansas

Kansas tattoo artists must meet the following requirements in order to obtain a license from the state health department: be at least 18 years old, complete an approved training program, pass a written exam, and pay the required fees.

Once you have obtained your license, you will be able to start working as a tattoo artist anywhere with a currently valid establishment license in the state of Kansas.

Prepare for a Tattooing Career with the Artist Accelerator Program

examples of students own tattoo

Learning the steps you need to take to get licensed is an important step in your journey, but it can also be pretty eye-opening to how difficult tattooing can be. Without the right knowledge, it’s impossible to level up your skills and become a professional tattoo artist. 

However, finding the straight-forward information you need to progress is difficult. And with so much out there online, it’s hard to avoid picking up bad habits from incorrect and outdated resources.

This is one of the biggest struggles new tattooers face, and too many talented artists have given up their goal of getting into tattooing because of the years it would take to unlearn their bad habits. 

That’s why aspiring artists are learning to tattoo with the Artist Accelerator Program’s structured course. As a student, you learn every step of the tattooing process from professional artists with the experience and advice you need to build your skills and create incredible tattoos. 

With the Artist Accelerator, you can stop wasting time searching through incorrect information. You just get the clear, easy-to-understand lessons you need to start improving fast… along with support and personalized feedback from professional artists in our online Mastermind group.

Over 2500 students have already gone through the course, with many of them opening up their own studios. If you want to join them and learn the skills you need to start tattooing full time faster…

Click here to learn more about the Artist Accelerator Program.

Looking for a tattoo apprenticeship?

Tattooing 101's Artist Accelerator 90 day program is the closest thing to a real apprenticeship

  • 500 video modules
  • Professional tattoo artist coaches
  • Private mastermind community
AUTHOR
Nathan Molenaar

Nathan is a licensed professional tattoo artist with over 8 years’ experience working at studios across the globe, including Celebrity Ink, the world's largest tattoo studio chain.

When he's not tattooing, he spends his free time sharing his experience and knowledge with aspiring artists who dream of pursuing a career in the tattooing industry.

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