To work as a tattoo artist in the state of Iowa, you must have a license from the Department of Public Health. This article will outline the steps required to get a tattoo artist license in Iowa.
Department of Public Health Tattoo Artists Requirements
To be a tattoo artist in Iowa, individuals must have a Tattoo Artist Permit issued by the state of Iowa. There is a $75 fee for your first permit application.
Permits expire and must be renewed every year by December 31. Renewal costs $75. If your license expires, you will also have to pay an additional $25 fee..
The Public Health Tattoo Artist Application
In order to get a Tattoo Artist License, you must meet the following requirements before you can practice tattooing or receive any tattoo artist permits:
1
Age and Education Requirements
You must be 18 years of age or older.
You must also have a high school diploma or G.E.D. (online diplomas are not accepted).
2
Bloodborne Pathogen and First Aid Training
All applicants must complete Bloodborne Pathogen and Standard First Aid Training. The bloodborne pathogen training will acquaint you with all the sanitation practices and procedures you should follow to keep yourself and your clients safe.
3
Complete Online Application and Pay Fees
You must complete a Tattoo Artist Application through their online portal. Create a portal account here.
Submit a $75 fee with the application.
When renewing a permit, you must provide digital copies of current certificates for Blood Borne Pathogens and First Aid Training. You must renew by logging into your portal account.
If your county has additional regulations, you can find them here.
Turn in Your Application
You will submit your application through the online portal. If approved, you should receive your Tattoo Artist Permit within 3-4 weeks. The processing time varies depending on the time of year and when you submit your permit. You will obtain your permit in the mail.
You can also mail the application to:
Iowa Department of Public Health
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Mobile Tattoo Units in Iowa
As of 2016, Iowa no longer administers new mobile tattoo units permits. If you wish to tattoo at a temporary event, you must obtain a temporary permit prior to doing so.
Other Rules About Tattooing in Iowa:
It is illegal to tattoo any person who is a minor younger than 18.
https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/174/Tattoo/2%20CreateAccount-Tattoo.pdf
https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/76/Training%20Provider%20List_7_1_2017_1.pdf
https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/123/RegPrograms%20page/Tattoo/2020Renew%20Tattoo%20Artist.pdf
https://dphregprograms.iowa.gov/PublicPortal/Iowa/IDPH/common/index.jsp
https://idph.iowa.gov/lphs/local-public-health-agencies
https://idph.iowa.gov/tattoo/artists
https://idph.iowa.gov/tattoo
https://idph.iowa.gov/regulatory-programs/tattoo
https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/123/RegPrograms%20page/Tattoo/Tattoo%20Program%20Renewal%20Guidelines.pdf
https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/123/RegPrograms%20page/Tattoo/Tattoo%20FAQ.pdf
Infection control course for body art industry by state: https://courseforbbp.com/states
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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