Are you interested in getting a tattoo artist license in Tennessee? The good news is that, in the state of Tennessee, individual tattoo artists do not need a state tattoo license, but they do need to register with their local health department.
Statewide Tattoo Artist License in Tennessee: The Basics
An individual registration for a tattoo artist license costs $140.
All licenses expire on December 31st of each year, and must be renewed no later than January 31st of the following year. Renewal for the tattoo artist license costs $140.
The Application Process
When applying to become a tattoo artist in Tennessee, you will need to provide: |
|---|
A passing score on the tattooing exam |
$140 application fee |
A completed registration application (available in-person only at your local health department office) |
A government-issued photo ID (no license shall be issued to someone who is under the age of 18) |
Proof of at least one year of apprenticeship (see next section) |
A certificate of completion for Blood Borne Pathogen training |
When applying to become a tattoo artist in Tennessee, you will need to provide:
- A passing score on the tattooing exam
- $140 application fee
- A completed registration application (available in-person only at your local health department office)
- A government-issued photo ID (no license shall be issued to someone who is under the age of 18)
- Proof of at least one year of apprenticeship (see next section)
- A certificate of completion for Blood Borne Pathogen training
If your county has additional regulations, you can find them here.
Apprenticeship and Professional Tattooist Course Requirements
To practice body art as a professional tattooist in Tennessee, you need to undergo a one-year training program/apprenticeship and pass a written examination.
To apply to take the tattooing exam, you will need to contact the local Department of Health and schedule a time to take the test.
After taking the exam and getting a passing score, you'll pay the $140 application fee and intern (apprentice) at a licensed tattoo parlor for one year.
This tattoo parlor must be run by a tattoo operator with at least three years of tattooing experience. After your apprenticeship, you can return to the Department of Health and request your own license as a tattoo artist.
Turn in Your Application
Applications to become a licensed tattoo artist are not available online - you will need to pick them up and turn them in at your local department of health office.
While the timeline for tattoo artist licensing can vary depending on your county, you should receive your tattoo license within a few weeks of your tattoo artist application being submitted.
Things You Should Know About Tattoo Artist Licensing in Tennessee:
Try to find an employer who will take you on for your internship before you complete the tattoo apprentice application and exam. That way, you know you'll have work lined up.
Also, keep in mind that it is illegal to tattoo a minor in Tennessee, even with parental consent.
Find TN Tattoo Laws here.Tennessee Department of Health: Environmental Health Programs: 615-741-7206.
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/healthprofboards/Fees.pdf
https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/localdepartments.html
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/Tattoo_law.pdf
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/Infection_Control_Training_Classes.pdf
Infectious diseases education by state: https://courseforbbp.com/states
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.
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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.
