How to Get a Tattoo License in Every State in America (Updated 2022)

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

July 13, 2022

All tattooists in Wisconsin must hold a Practitioner's license. It costs $60 ...

How to Get a Wisconsin Tattoo License

How to Get a Tattoo License – NYC

July 13, 2022

The New York State Department is currently working on a statewide permit/license ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – NYC

How to Get a Tattoo License – California

July 13, 2022

In California, body art practitioners must register with the county in which ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – California

How to Get a Tattoo License – NC

July 13, 2022

North Carolina state rules that you must obtain a tattoo permit. Permits ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – NC

How to Get a Tattoo License – Oregon

July 13, 2022

Oregon requires a license for tattoo artists. You can obtain a license ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Oregon

How to Get a Tattoo License – Georgia

July 13, 2022

To become a tattoo artist in Georgia, you must get a body ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Georgia

How to Get a Tattoo License – Hawaii

July 13, 2022

Tattoo artists must get a license issued by the state of Hawaii. ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Hawaii

How to Apply for a Tattoo License – Massachusetts

July 13, 2022

To be a tattoo artist in Massachusetts, you must have a Body ...

How to Apply for a Tattoo License – Massachusetts

How to Get a Tattoo License – Maryland

July 13, 2022

In the state of Maryland, tattoo license regulations vary on where you ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Maryland

How to Get a Tattoo License – Louisiana

July 13, 2022

Louisiana does not require a state tattoo artist license; however, you must ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Louisiana

How to Get a Utah Tattoo License

July 13, 2022

A Tattoo Technician Permit is required to perform tattoos in Utah. Permits ...

How to Get a Utah Tattoo License

How to Get a Tattoo License – South Carolina

July 13, 2022

The state of South Carolina does not require a tattoo artist license ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – South Carolina

How to Get a Tattoo License – Arizona

July 13, 2022

Arizona has very few restrictions when it comes to tattooing. However, this ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Arizona

How to Get a Tattoo License – Mississippi

July 13, 2022

The New York State Department is currently working on a statewide permit/license ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Mississippi

How to Get a Tattoo License – CT

July 13, 2022

To be a tattoo artist and work at a tattoo business in ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – CT

How to Apply for a Tattoo License – Nevada

July 13, 2022

If you are interested in becoming a body artist in Nevada, there ...

How to Apply for a Tattoo License – Nevada

How to Get a Tattoo License – Nebraska

July 13, 2022

For body artists to perform tattoos in the state of Nebraska, you ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Nebraska

How to Get a Tattoo License in Missouri

July 13, 2022

To perform tattoos in the state of Missouri, you must hold a ...

How to Get a Tattoo License in Missouri

NH Tattoo License Laws

July 13, 2022

New Hampshire has very specific requirements for those who want to apply ...

NH Tattoo License Laws

How to Apply for a Tattoo License – WA

July 13, 2022

You must have a Tattoo Artist License to perform tattoos in the ...

How to Apply for a Tattoo License – WA

How to Apply for a Tattoo License – PA

July 13, 2022

Pennsylvania is one of the states in the US that does not ...

How to Apply for a Tattoo License – PA

How to Get a Tattoo License – Illinois

July 13, 2022

If you're thinking of becoming a tattoo artist in Illinois, you'll need ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Illinois

How to Get a Tattoo License – Alabama

July 13, 2022

There are a few things to consider before getting a tattoo license ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Alabama

Tattoo License VA Requirements

July 13, 2022

What Requirements Does the Virginia Health Regulatory Board Have for Tattoo Artists? ...

Tattoo License VA Requirements

Michigan Tattoo License Requirements

July 13, 2022

If you're interested in becoming a tattoo artist in Michigan, this article ...

Michigan Tattoo License Requirements

Colorado Tattoo License Requirements

July 13, 2022

In order to become a tattoo artist in Colorado, there are certain ...

Colorado Tattoo License Requirements

How to Get a Vermont Tattoo License

July 13, 2022

If you're thinking about becoming a tattoo artist, you'll need to obtain ...

How to Get a Vermont Tattoo License

Indiana Tattoo License Requirements

July 13, 2022

If you're thinking about becoming a tattoo artist in Indiana, there are ...

Indiana Tattoo License Requirements

How to Get a Tattoo License in Arkansas

July 13, 2022

If you're looking to get a tattoo license in Arkansas, you'll need ...

How to Get a Tattoo License in Arkansas

How to Get an Idaho Tattoo License

July 13, 2022

While you don’t need a state license to be a tattoo artist ...

How to Get an Idaho Tattoo License

How to Get a Tattoo License – New Mexico

July 13, 2022

To perform tattoos in the state of New Mexico, you need to ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – New Mexico

How to Get a Tattoo License – Ohio

July 13, 2022

You do not need a state license to become a tattoo artist ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Ohio

How to Get a Tattoo License – Alaska

July 13, 2022

To become a tattoo artist in the state of Alaska, you must ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Alaska

How to Get a Tattoo License – Maine

July 13, 2022

In order to become a tattoo artist in the state of Maine, ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Maine

How to Get a Tattoo License – Delaware

July 13, 2022

You do not need an individual tattoo license in Delaware. You will ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Delaware

How to Apply for a Tattoo License – Iowa

July 13, 2022

To work as a tattoo artist in the state of Iowa, you ...

How to Apply for a Tattoo License – Iowa

How to Get a Tattoo License – Kentucky

July 13, 2022

Kentucky does not require a state license to be a tattoo artist. ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Kentucky

How to Get a Tattoo License – Minnesota

July 13, 2022

To be a tattoo artist in Minnesota, individuals must have a “Body ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Minnesota

How to Get a Montana Tattoo License

July 13, 2022

In Montana, all tattoos must take place in licensed body art establishments. ...

How to Get a Montana Tattoo License

How to Get a North Dakota Tattoo License

July 13, 2022

Individuals do not need a license to perform tattoos in North Dakota, ...

How to Get a North Dakota Tattoo License

How to Get a Tattoo License – Oklahoma

July 13, 2022

All persons performing tattooing in Oklahoma must be licensed. A standard license ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Oklahoma

How to Get a Rhode Island Tattoo License

July 13, 2022

Rhode Island requires you to have a Tattoo Artist License issued by ...

How to Get a Rhode Island Tattoo License

How to Get a South Dakota Tattoo License

July 13, 2022

There is no state license required to be a tattoo artist. However, ...

How to Get a South Dakota Tattoo License

West Virginia Tattoo Artist License Laws

July 13, 2022

West Virginia does not require tattoo artists to be licensed. Tattoo shops ...

West Virginia Tattoo Artist License Laws

How to Get a Tattoo License – Wyoming

July 13, 2022

The state of Wyoming does not require a state license or permit ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Wyoming

How to Get a Tattoo License – Texas

July 13, 2022

Texas tattoo artists are not required to be licensed; only facilities need ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Texas

How to Get a Tattoo License – NJ

July 13, 2022

The New Jersey Department of Health doesn't issue individual tattoo licenses. Instead, ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – NJ

How to Get a Tattoo License – Tennessee

July 12, 2022

Are you interested in getting a tattoo artist license in Tennessee? The ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Tennessee

How to Get a Tattoo License – Florida

June 22, 2022

To be a tattoo artist or permanent make up artist in Florida, ...

How to Get a Tattoo License – Florida

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AUTHOR
Nathan Molenaar

Nathan is a licensed professional tattoo artist with over 8 years’ experience working at studios across the globe, including Celebrity Ink, the world's largest tattoo studio chain.

When he's not tattooing, he spends his free time sharing his experience and knowledge with aspiring artists who dream of pursuing a career in the tattooing industry.

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