To be a tattoo artist and work at a tattoo business in Connecticut, individuals must have a “Tattoo Technician License” issued by the state of Connecticut. A license costs $250.
You must renew your license every two years. Your license expires every two years from the month of your birth. Renewal costs $200. If your license expires, reinstatement will cost $250.
The license must be renewed annually from the date they are issued. Renewal costs $25. To renew your Body Art License, you can sign into Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center here. You can renew your license as early as 90 days before it expires. (You should receive an email that your renewal period has started.)
All fees can be paid via credit card through Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center’s portal.
The Application
In order to get a Tattoo Technician License or a license to become a permanent makeup artist at a tattoo studio in Connecticut, you will need to do the following. |
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Submit an Online Application |
Submit an application online. All tattoo artists must complete this form and provide information on demographics, training, etc. You can complete the form at the linked website. |
Meet Age Requirements |
You must be 18 years of age or older to become a licensed tattoo artist in Connecticut. Be prepared to submit a copy of your birth certificate, passport, or driver’s license. |
Photograph Requirements |
Provide a passport-style photo. This should clearly show your face and any defining features. |
Required Coursework |
Complete a course on disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that meets OSHA standards. This course must be completed no more than three years prior to applying for the license. The OSHA standards can be found here. The bloodborne pathogens training is a requirement for performing tattoos in just about every single state in the country as well as every city in Connecticut (including Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, etc). |
First Aid Certification |
Be certified by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association in basic First Aid. Both the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association training in first aid are accepted and will give aspiring tattoo artists and permanent makeup workers the skills they need to prevent, address, and educate clients on the risks of tattoos. |
In order to get a Tattoo Technician License or a license to become a permanent makeup artist at a tattoo studio in Connecticut, you will need to do the following.
Submit an Online Application
- Submit an application online. All tattoo artists must complete this form and provide information on demographics, training, etc. You can complete the form at the linked website.
Meet Age Requirements
- You must be 18 years of age or older to become a licensed tattoo artist in Connecticut. Be prepared to submit a copy of your birth certificate, passport, or driver’s license.
Photograph Requirements
- Provide a passport-style photo. This should clearly show your face and any defining features.
Required Coursework
- Complete a course on disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that meets OSHA standards. This course must be completed no more than three years prior to applying for the license. The OSHA standards can be found here.
- The bloodborne pathogens training is a requirement for performing tattoos in just about every single state in the country as well as every city in Connecticut (including Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, etc).
First Aid Certification
- Be certified by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association in basic First Aid. Both the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association training in first aid are accepted and will give aspiring tattoo artists and permanent makeup workers the skills they need to prevent, address, and educate clients on the risks of tattoos.
Tattoo Apprentice Form
Submit a Tattoo Technician Training Verification form, showing that you have completed two thousands hours of training under the supervision and instruction of a licensed tattoo technician. This form must be notarized. You can find a notary near you here.
In your tattoo apprenticeship, you will complete several hours of work with a licensed and experienced permanent makeup artist. This tattoo apprenticeship is meant to show you all the skills you need to know about how to perform permanent makeup and piercing services. For example, you'll learn how to use, sanitize, and maintain equipment, how to perform a variety of tattoo styles, and how to inform clients of the risk presented by being tattooed.
Ultimately, you will complete at least 2000 hours of practical training at your job with other qualified employees. This must be in a registered salon and the tattoo studio must meet the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
You must have five years of continuous practice of tattooing in the state of Connecticut prior to applying for permanent licensure as a tattoo artist, too.
Tattoo Licensing Fees
Pay the $250 license fee with the online application for permanent makeup and tattoo artists.
How to Renew a Tattoo License in Connecticut
To renew your Tattoo Technician License, you must do the following.
Renew the License Form
Renew your license online. This can be done online through the Connecticut state department of public health website.
You must pay a renewal fee as well. The cost of the renewal fee is $200. This is required of all permanent makeup and tattoo artists who wish to work with clients.
Complete Required Coursework
You must also provide proof that you have successfully completed an OSHA-approved course on prevention of disease transmission, sanitation, and bloodborne pathogens within the six months before your license’s expiration date. (Make sure you keep past certificates, as you might be asked to show them again alongside your latest BBP training certificate.)
If you are a licensed tattoo artist from another state, your license may transfer if you obtain verification from the state you are transferring from that your license is current.
If your county has additional regulations for doing business as a tattoo artist, you can find them here.
Where to Turn in Your Application
Turn in Your Application
You can only submit your application, either for an initial tattoo certification or a renewal, through the online portal operated by the state's department of public health.
After you submit your application, a decision will be made within 3-4 weeks. If you are approved, your license and additional documents will be mailed to you during the third week of the month following your approval.
You can get a job at a tattoo studio as an apprentice without this license, but if you want to open your own business and have a success as an independent tattoo artist, you'll want to have these credentials on hand.
Things You Should Know:
It is illegal to tattoo an unemancipated minor under the age of 18 without permission from their parent or legal guardian.
Find other Tattoo Technician Licensing Requirements, Renewal Information, etc. here.
Contact the below links for more information to help you out on your tattoo journey to becoming a tattoo artist.
Approved infection control course for body art industry : https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030
Training verification form: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/practitioner_licensing_and_investigations/plis/tatoo/Tattoo-Verification-of-Supervised-Training.pdf
Online application: https://www.elicense.ct.gov/
Requirements and renewal info: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Practitioner-Licensing--Investigations/Tattoo/Tattoo-Technician
https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Practitioner-Licensing--Investigations/Tattoo/Tattoo-Technician
https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Practitioner-Licensing--Investigations/Tattoo/Licensing-After-112015
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/practitioner_licensing_and_investigations/plis/tatoo/Tattoo-Verification-of Supervised-Training.pdf
Communicable diseases regulations: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/practitioner_licensing_and_investigations/plis/tatoo/TattooSupvAffpdf.pdf
dph.healingarts@ct.gov
https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Local-Health-Admin/LHA/Local-Health-Administration---Site-Map
860-509-8000
Disease prevention Hepatitis B vaccination info: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/hepatitis-b
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