Legal Requirements for Tattooing
It is illegal to tattoo yourself without a license. Get a professional tattoo artist instead of doing it yourself. Penalties include fines or jail time. Tattooing someone else without a license risks lawsuits if complications occur like infections. Health risks occur from amateur tattooing. Obtain proper training and licensing to safely practice tattooing.
Licensing and Regulations
Most states require a license to tattoo. Laws consider tattooing body modification requiring a license. Becoming a licensed tattoo artist takes 8-12 months for body piercing, up to 5 years for tattooing. The average cost of a tattoo varies.
Specific State Regulations
Texas
- Is it illegal to tattoo at home without a license in Texas? The penalty for tattooing without a license in Texas is a fine of up to $2,000 and/or 180 days in jail.
- How much does a tattoo license cost in Texas? The application fee at the time of writing is $927 or $464 for a special event.
- In Texas, microblading falls under tattooing and requires a license.
North Carolina
- Do you need a license to tattoo in NC? North Carolina state law requires that a permit shall be obtained from the local Health Department before engaging in the practice of tattooing.
Missouri
- Tattoo artists who worked in another state that requires licensing can qualify for a Missouri license through reciprocity.
Miscellaneous Regulations
- Minors need written consent and the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a tattoo. The adult must believe it is "in the best interest" of the minor and tattoos can only be done to cover an "obscene or offensive" existing tattoo.
- In Idaho, it is illegal to intentionally tattoo a minor without prior written approval from the parent or legal guardian. The penalty may include a fine or cancelled license.
- In NSW, it is an offence to do any tattooing procedure without an appropriate license.
- Bloodborne pathogens training is required for licensed artists in Indiana. Artists should contact local health departments for requirements. Hepatitis B vaccination is encouraged but can be declined with written consent. Scleral tattooing is prohibited in Indiana.
Safety and Professionalism
- Home Tattoos Are Unlicensed. The only licensed tattoo providers are people like doctors or dermatology doctors in clinics that offer tattoo services as part of medical treatments.
- It is illegal for a licensed tattoo artist to perform tattoos in unlicensed locations, such at his or her home. It is also illegal for a licensed tattoo establishment to allow someone who is not licensed to give tattoos at that location.
- Use a standard angle between 45 and 60° to put color into the skin with tattoo machines.
- Home tattooing is not safe and can be illegal. Getting a tattoo abroad may not be safe either.