If you're thinking about becoming a tattoo artist in Indiana, there are a few things you need to know.
In this article, we’ll break down:
We’ll also include the regulations on body piercing for artists interested in both tattooing and piercing.
Tattooing and Body Piercing in Indiana
The state laws of Indiana define tattooing as "an indelible mark made with needles of other instruments, or a mark made by scarring, on or under the skin."
Indiana laws do not require licensing or registration of tattoo artists or body piercing professionals. However, operating a tattoo business requires you to follow certain regulations, and there are various criminal penalties for violating the law.
While there is no tattoo artist license or registration, tattoo artists are required to tattoo in a licensed shop or body art facility inspected by the state. However, Hepatitis B vaccination and completing a bloodborne pathogens course is highly recommended.Hepatitis B Vaccination
Hepatitis B vaccination is encouraged for tattoo artists. If a tattoo artist at a tattooing business in Indiana chooses to decline the hepatitis B vaccination, he or she must provide written consent that he has declined to do so.
Blood Borne Pathogens Course
Tattoo artists working in a shop are required to complete an OSHA-approved Blood-borne pathogens course. Documentation of this should be submitted to local health departments for proper disease control.
Under Indiana's state laws, the laws provide prohibitions against hiring any tattoo artists who have not met this occupational safety requirement. Tattoo parlors must have a written disease control plan for exposure as well as plans for maintaining sanitary operations.
There also needs to be annual training and recordkeeping of attendance at OSHA standard- and sanitary operations-related events. This requirement must be renewed annually according to Indiana's state laws.
Business Licensing
While there is no individual tattoo artist license, in order to operate a business that specializes in tattoos, body piercing, and other forms of body art, you must obtain a business license.
To do this, you will need to be established as a formal business entity that specializes in tattooing. You will need to have contact information for your location displayed and in some counties, you’ll have to pass a background check.
You may need to have a list of all procedures and equipment used at your tattooing and body piercing business along with a list of all sterilization procedures used for safe tattooing and piercing.
Your county will also have a few forms for you to fill out that you’ll need to get directly from your local office.
Most of the time, the business license from the county department is renewed annually, though this can vary. You may be subjected to regular (usually annual) visits and inspections from the department of health by law, too.
Tattoo Art and Body Piercing Facilities in Indiana
Display Notices in Tattoo Parlors
All tattoo establishments are legally required to display this Patron Rights Information form.
The Indiana State Department of Health requires all tattooing business operations to display this notice to ensure that all tattooing facilities are complying with safety and sanitation requirements.
The patron rights documents includes restrictions that tattoo artists must follow, such as: |
|---|
Using health-department approved cleaning agents after work |
Prohibiting tattooing or body piercing in living areas |
Prohibiting animals in the tattoo area |
Restricting eating, drinking, and applying makeup in the work area |
Washing hands and tools |
Obtaining consent from a parent or legal guardian when tattooing a minor under the age of 18 |
The patron rights documents includes restrictions that tattoo artists must follow, such as:
Using health-department approved cleaning agents after work
Prohibiting tattooing or body piercing in living areas
Prohibiting animals in the tattoo area
Restricting eating, drinking, and applying makeup in the work area
Washing hands and tools
Obtaining consent from a parent or legal guardian when tattooing a minor under the age of 18
Age of Consent and Parental Consent Requirement
It is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 unless they are accompanied by, or have written consent from, a minor's parent or legal guardian. This written permission from a minor's parent legal guardian must be obtained on-site before any body piercings or tattooing is completed.
If you fail to obtain parental consent prior to any tattoo and body piercing of a minor, there are various criminal penalties that may apply.
Additional Tattooing and Body Piercing Requirements By County
If your county has additional regulations, you can find them here. Most counties do not require certification of individual tattoo artists but do require certification of a tattooing facility, according to the department of health.
Most counties also have provisions in place that dictate the standards for sanitary operation of a body art facility.
Counties site: https://www.in.gov/health/health-and-human-services/local-health-department-outreach-division/local-health-department-information/
infection control course for body art industry Course For Bloodborne Pathogens | Indiana (courseforbbp.com)
https://www.in.gov/health/erc/infectious-disease-epidemiology/rules-and-guidelines/tattoo-and-body-piercings/tattoo-and-body-piercings-section-a/
https://www.in.gov/health/erc/infectious-disease-epidemiology/rules-and-guidelines/tattoo-and-body-piercings/
https://www.in.gov/health/erc/infectious-disease-epidemiology/rules-and-guidelines/tattoo-and-body-piercings/tattoo-and-body-piercings-section-a/
https://www.in.gov/health/erc/files/2018QuickFact_Tattoo.pdf
https://marionhealth.org/info-for-artists-shop-owners/#:~:text=The%20Marion%20County%20Public%20Health,individual%20artists%20in%20Marion%20County.
https://bizfluent.com/info-12027008-idaho-require-license-tattoo-artist.html
For further assistance finding hepatitis B vaccine: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/hepatitis-b
Prepare for a Tattooing Career with the Artist Accelerator Program
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.
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