All persons performing tattooing in Oklahoma must be licensed. A standard license costs $250. A temporary license costs $50.
Licenses must be renewed annually from the date they are issued. For example, if you got your tattoo artist license on April 4 2021, you need to renew it by April 4, 2022. Renewing a license costs $250. If you are trying to renew it 30 days after it has expired, the cost is $350.
Tattoo Apprentice Application
If you will be going through a tattoo apprenticeship in Oklahoma, you will need to fill out the following forms: |
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Apprentice Sponsor Application (Your apprentice sponsor will fill this out; they must be licensed) |
Apprentice Program Weekly Time Sheet (fill out weekly) |
After a year as an apprentice, you can fill out the Apprentice to Full Artist Application. |
If you will be going through a tattoo apprenticeship in Oklahoma, you will need to fill out the following forms:
- Apprentice Sponsor Application (Your apprentice sponsor will fill this out; they must be licensed)
- Apprentice Program Weekly Time Sheet (fill out weekly)
- After a year as an apprentice, you can fill out the Apprentice to Full Artist Application.
Tattoo Artist Application
If you are moving from another state or received training outside of Oklahoma, you will fill out a tattoo artist application. To get a tattoo license in Oklahoma, you must submit the following: |
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A complete license application. |
A notarized copy of any state or federally issued ID. (Find a notary near you.) |
A completed Affidavit of Lawful Presence. |
Proof of two years of licensed experience OR proof of completion of an approved tattoo apprenticeship. (Find apprenticeship program information here.) |
Current Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training certificate. |
Current First Aid training certificate. |
Current CPR training certificate. |
If you are moving from another state or received training outside of Oklahoma, you will fill out a tattoo artist application. To get a tattoo license in Oklahoma, you must submit the following:
- A complete license application.
- A notarized copy of any state or federally issued ID. (Find a notary near you.)
- A notarized copy of your birth certificate.
- A completed Affidavit of Lawful Presence.
- Proof of two years of licensed experience OR proof of completion of an approved tattoo apprenticeship. (Find apprenticeship program information here.)
- Current Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training certificate.
- Current First Aid training certificate.
- Current CPR training certificate
Find the full list of BBP, first aid, and CPR training requirements here.
After submitting the necessary paperwork, you will be mailed a Test Letter. You must then schedule a test, and receive a score of 70% or higher. There is a $200 testing fee.
If your county has additional regulations, you can find them here.
Oklahoma recognizes artist licenses from other states, but proof must be provided (i.e. copy of licensure, tax records).
Temporary Tattoo Artist Application
If you will be tattooing in Oklahoma for a short period of time (like a tattoo convention), you can get a temporary tattoo license here.
Turn in Your Application
All paperwork and documentation should be sent to:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Consumer Protection Division
PO Box 268815
OKC, OK 73126-8815
You will receive your license approximately 30 days after your payment has been posted.
https://oklahoma.gov/health/protective-health/consumer-health-service/body-piercing-and-tattooing.html
https://oklahoma.gov/health/protective-health/consumer-health-service/body-piercing-and-tattooing/how-to-get-a-tattoo-or-body-piercing-artist-license.html
https://oklahoma.gov/health/protective-health/consumer-health-service/body-piercing-and-tattooing/fee-schedule.html
https://oklahoma.gov/health/protective-health/consumer-health-service/body-piercing-and-tattooing/how-to-get-a-tattoo-or-body-piercing-artist-license.html
https://oklahoma.gov/health/protective-health/consumer-health-service/body-piercing-and-tattooing/annual-training-requirements.html
https://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/health/map/county_map.php
https://oklahoma.gov/health/protective-health/consumer-health-service/body-piercing-and-tattooing/frequently-asked-questions.html
https://www.ok.gov/health2/documents/CPD-OS%20Title%2021%20Section%20842.1%20et%20seq.pdf
https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/health/health2/documents/ols-affidavit-of-lawful-presence.pdf
https://oklahoma.gov/health/protective-health/consumer-health-service/body-piercing-and-tattooing/apprenticeship-information.html
https://www.redcross.org/local/oklahoma/take-a-class/cpr-oklahoma-city-ok
https://www.redcross.org/local/oklahoma/take-a-class/first-aid
Bloodborne pathogen training course / infectious diseases course https://courseforbbp.com/states/OK#:~:text=Course%20For%20Bloodborne%20Pathogens%20provides,potentially%20infectious%20materials%20(OPIM)
https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/health/health2/aem-documents/protective-health/consumer-health-services/forms/cpd-body-piercing-tattoo-regular-license-application.pdf
https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/health/health2/aem-documents/protective-health/consumer-health-services/tattoo-and-body-piercing/cpd-body-piercing-tattoo-regular-license-application.pdf
https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/health/health2/documents/ols-affidavit-of-lawful-presence.pdf
https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/health/health2/aem-documents/protective-health/consumer-health-services/forms/ols-affidavit-of-lawful-presence.pdf
https://oklahoma.gov/health/protective-health/consumer-health-service/body-piercing-and-tattooing/tattoo-applications-and-forms.html
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.
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