In order to become a tattoo artist in the state of Maine, there are certain requirements that you must meet. Tattooing without a license is punishable by law in the state of Maine.
In this article, we’ll break down:
Note:
You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a tattoo license in Maine.
Maine Tattoo Art Requirements
To be a tattoo artist in Maine, individuals must have a “Tattooing Practitioner License” issued by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. A Tattooing Practitioner Human Services License costs $225.
Registrations expire each year based on the date it is issued. Renewing the license costs $25. There is a late fee of $25 if renewing within 30 days of expiration, and a $100 fee if renewing past 30 days after expiration. If you repeatedly renew late, the late fee becomes $200.
Apply to Become a Tattoo Artist
To get a license as a tattoo artist in Maine, you must meet the following requirements: |
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Application Form Fill out this application. |
Training in Skin Infection, the Art of Tattooing Disease Control, and Safe Practicing All aspiring tattoo artists must complete an approved training program in tattooing or body piercing from an accredited school or institution. You will also need to: Demonstrate your knowledge of safe practices, such as: Provide a description of your experience in performing tattooing, including length of time practiced, name, address, and telephone number of where you have worked or will work. Provide proof of attendance at a Department of Health and Human Services approved blood borne pathogen training program within the last three years. |
Additional Regulations by County The above are the requirements according to the Maine law for the whole state. If your county has additional regulations for permanent tattooing facilities, you can find them here. |
To get a license as a tattoo artist in Maine, you must meet the following requirements:
Application Form
Fill out this application.
Training in Skin Infection, the Art of Tattooing Disease Control, and Safe Practicing
All aspiring tattoo artists must complete an approved training program in tattooing or body piercing from an accredited school or institution.
You will also need to:
Demonstrate your knowledge of safe practices, such as:
Provide a description of your experience in performing tattooing, including length of time practiced, name, address, and telephone number of where you have worked or will work.
Provide proof of attendance at a Department of Health and Human Services approved blood borne pathogen training program within the last three years.
Additional Regulations by County
The above are the requirements according to the Maine law for the whole state. If your county has additional regulations for permanent tattooing facilities, you can find them here.
Turn in Your Complete Application
Send your application in via mail to:
HEALTH INSPECTION PROGRAM
286 WATER STREET 3rd FLOOR
AUGUSTA ME 04333-0011
After getting approved, the Health Inspector will inform the Licensing Clerk to issue your license. As long as there are no outstanding issues, you should receive the tattoo artist license within one week from it being issued.
Things You Should Know:
It is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18, even if they have parental consent.
You can only use single-use disposable sharps in the state of Maine. Sharps Policy on Waste Management.Operating Tattoo Shops in Maine
To learn about the requirements for opening a tattoo facility, you will need to contact your district health inspector. You can call the Health Inspection Program main line at 207-287-5671 to learn who your district health inspector is.
Mobile Tattoo Facility
The health inspector informs us that mobile tattooing facilities are prohibited in Maine by law.
Trade Shows and Fairs
A licensed practitioner can practice at a tattoo trade show or agricultural fairs, so long as that show is approved by the Department of Health and Human Services. In most cases, the tattoo artist must complete an application for a temporary permit to do this.
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/training.htm
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/site-files/forms/hhe-608.doc
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/site-files/forms/InfectedClientForm.doc
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/site-files/miscellaneous/Sharps%20Policy%20Change%20for%20Tattoo-BP%20rules%202018.doc
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/lphd/index.shtml
Infected Client Form
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/business/business-answers-tattoos.htm
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/site-files/forms/hhe-608.doc
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/site-files/forms/InfectedClientForm.doc
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/site-files/miscellaneous/Sharps%20Policy%20Change%20for%20Tattoo-BP%20rules%202018.doc
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/lphd/index.shtml
Infection control course by state: https://courseforbbp.com/states
Old application: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/site-files/forms/hhe-608.doc
New application: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/site-files/forms/Body%20Artist-Microblading%208-25-21.pdf
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.
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.
