Every state in the United States has different requirements when it comes to getting a tattoo license. Some states do not require a license, but you must be registered with a tattoo shop in your area. (In every state, tattoo shops must be licensed, even if the individual artists do not have to be.)
Additionally, each county, district, parish, etc. will have its own rules (or lack of rules) as well.
Click your state below to find a clear to-do list of how to apply for or renew a tattoo license in each U.S. state. We’ll also point out where you can look for your county or town’s additional application requirements.Select Your State
Tattoo License Transfer and Travel
If you have a license and are moving to another state, your license does not automatically transfer. In general, for states that do not require training (and only require BBP certification and photo ID) you will need to apply for a new license in that state.
If you have a license and are moving to another state whose laws do require training hours, then you can show proof of your training hours in an apprenticeship or similar training to get those hours to transfer.
If you did not need training hours in your previous state to receive a license and have been working as a licensed tattoo artist, you may be able to waive the training hours requirement. Whether this is approved is on a case-by-case basis, and you will need to call the department of health in your new state or county.
For tattoo artists who will be in a different state temporarily, you may need to apply for a temporary license. Remember to call each state’s department of health before you visit or do a guest spot.How to Get a Wisconsin Tattoo License
All tattooists in Wisconsin must hold a Practitioner's license. It costs $60 ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – NYC
The New York State Department is currently working on a statewide permit/license ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – California
In California, body art practitioners must register with the county in which ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – NC
North Carolina state rules that you must obtain a tattoo permit. Permits ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Oregon
Oregon requires a license for tattoo artists. You can obtain a license ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Georgia
To become a tattoo artist in Georgia, you must get a body ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Hawaii
Tattoo artists must get a license issued by the state of Hawaii. ...
How to Apply for a Tattoo License – Massachusetts
To be a tattoo artist in Massachusetts, you must have a Body ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Maryland
In the state of Maryland, tattoo license regulations vary on where you ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Louisiana
Louisiana does not require a state tattoo artist license; however, you must ...
How to Get a Utah Tattoo License
A Tattoo Technician Permit is required to perform tattoos in Utah. Permits ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – South Carolina
The state of South Carolina does not require a tattoo artist license ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Arizona
Arizona has very few restrictions when it comes to tattooing. However, this ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Mississippi
The New York State Department is currently working on a statewide permit/license ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – CT
To be a tattoo artist and work at a tattoo business in ...
How to Apply for a Tattoo License – Nevada
If you are interested in becoming a body artist in Nevada, there ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Nebraska
For body artists to perform tattoos in the state of Nebraska, you ...
How to Get a Tattoo License in Missouri
To perform tattoos in the state of Missouri, you must hold a ...
NH Tattoo License Laws
New Hampshire has very specific requirements for those who want to apply ...
How to Apply for a Tattoo License – WA
You must have a Tattoo Artist License to perform tattoos in the ...
How to Apply for a Tattoo License – PA
Pennsylvania is one of the states in the US that does not ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Illinois
If you're thinking of becoming a tattoo artist in Illinois, you'll need ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Alabama
There are a few things to consider before getting a tattoo license ...
Tattoo License VA Requirements
What Requirements Does the Virginia Health Regulatory Board Have for Tattoo Artists? ...
Michigan Tattoo License Requirements
If you're interested in becoming a tattoo artist in Michigan, this article ...
Colorado Tattoo License Requirements
In order to become a tattoo artist in Colorado, there are certain ...
How to Get a Vermont Tattoo License
If you're thinking about becoming a tattoo artist, you'll need to obtain ...
Indiana Tattoo License Requirements
If you're thinking about becoming a tattoo artist in Indiana, there are ...
How to Get a Tattoo License in Arkansas
If you're looking to get a tattoo license in Arkansas, you'll need ...
How to Get an Idaho Tattoo License
While you don’t need a state license to be a tattoo artist ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – New Mexico
To perform tattoos in the state of New Mexico, you need to ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Ohio
You do not need a state license to become a tattoo artist ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Alaska
To become a tattoo artist in the state of Alaska, you must ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Maine
In order to become a tattoo artist in the state of Maine, ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Delaware
You do not need an individual tattoo license in Delaware. You will ...
How to Apply for a Tattoo License – Iowa
To work as a tattoo artist in the state of Iowa, you ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Kentucky
Kentucky does not require a state license to be a tattoo artist. ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Minnesota
To be a tattoo artist in Minnesota, individuals must have a “Body ...
How to Get a Montana Tattoo License
In Montana, all tattoos must take place in licensed body art establishments. ...
How to Get a North Dakota Tattoo License
Individuals do not need a license to perform tattoos in North Dakota, ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Oklahoma
All persons performing tattooing in Oklahoma must be licensed. A standard license ...
How to Get a Rhode Island Tattoo License
Rhode Island requires you to have a Tattoo Artist License issued by ...
How to Get a South Dakota Tattoo License
There is no state license required to be a tattoo artist. However, ...
West Virginia Tattoo Artist License Laws
West Virginia does not require tattoo artists to be licensed. Tattoo shops ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Wyoming
The state of Wyoming does not require a state license or permit ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Texas
Texas tattoo artists are not required to be licensed; only facilities need ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – NJ
The New Jersey Department of Health doesn't issue individual tattoo licenses. Instead, ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Tennessee
Are you interested in getting a tattoo artist license in Tennessee? The ...
How to Get a Tattoo License – Florida
To be a tattoo artist or permanent make up artist in Florida, ...
