Most states don't require a tattoo license, but many cities and counties do

A tattoo license is not a state-level requirement in most of the United States. Instead, licensing is controlled by individual cities and counties, and the rules vary widely. Some places require tattoo artists to hold a license issued by the local health department; others require registration with the city; still others have no formal requirement at all. If you're getting tattooed, the shop itself is almost always regulated, even if the artist isn't required to carry a personal license.

The confusion arises because "tattoo license" can mean different things. Some jurisdictions issue licenses to individual artists. Others license only the shop or studio. A few require both. And in some areas, there is no licensing system at all — only health code inspections of the facility. Before getting work done, it's worth knowing what your local rules are, because they affect how much oversight the artist has received and what recourse you have if something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • Tattoo licensing is set by city or county health departments, not by state law, so requirements differ between neighborhoods and even between adjacent towns.
  • Many states have no tattoo licensing requirement for individual artists, but the shop where they work is almost always inspected and regulated by local health authorities.
  • States like California, New York, and Florida require tattoo artists to be licensed or registered, while states like Texas and Pennsylvania leave it to local jurisdictions.
  • Even in places with no formal tattoo license, health codes require bloodborne pathogen training, sterilization standards, and facility inspections.
  • If a shop or artist is unlicensed in your area, you have fewer protections and limited recourse if you develop an infection or have a complaint about the work.

Which states require tattoo licenses and which don't

About a dozen states have statewide tattoo licensing or registration systems. California requires tattoo artists to be licensed by the state and to pass a written exam covering bloodborne pathogens, sterilization, and safety. New York requires registration with the Department of Health. Florida requires a license issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Ohio also have statewide systems.

The remaining states — including Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, and Washington — do not require a state tattoo license. Instead, they allow cities and counties to set their own rules. This means a tattoo artist in one city might be required to hold a license while an artist in a neighboring city is not. Even in states with no statewide requirement, however, the shop is almost always subject to local health department oversight.

What local tattoo licensing actually covers

When a city or county issues a tattoo license, it typically requires the artist to demonstrate knowledge of bloodborne pathogen transmission, sterilization procedures, and infection control. The license is usually issued by the local health department after the artist passes a written exam or completes a training course. Some jurisdictions require a certain number of hours of apprenticeship under a licensed artist before you can get your own license.

The license itself is usually valid for one to three years and must be renewed. During that time, the health department may conduct unannounced inspections of the shop to verify that sterilization equipment is working, that single-use needles are being used, and that the artist is following bloodborne pathogen protocols. If violations are found, the artist or shop can be fined, have their license suspended, or be shut down entirely.

In places with no individual artist licensing, the shop is still inspected. The health department checks the same things — sterilization, needle disposal, bloodborne pathogen training — but there is no formal license hanging on the wall. The shop can still be cited for violations, but there is no central registry of who is and isn't allowed to tattoo.

How to find out what your city requires

Start with your city or county health department website. Search for "tattoo license" or "tattoo regulations" along with your city name. Most health departments post their rules online, including whether a license is required, what the process process is, and what the renewal fee is.

If you can't find the information online, call the health department directly. Ask whether tattoo artists in your area are required to be licensed, and if so, whether the shop you're considering using has a current license. Many health departments maintain a searchable database of licensed tattoo artists and shops. If your area has no statewide or local licensing requirement, ask whether the shop is at least registered with the health department or subject to routine inspections.

If you're getting tattooed out of state or planning to move, the same approach works: contact the health department in that jurisdiction and ask what the rules are. This is especially important if you're considering a shop in a state or city with no formal licensing, because your protections are much thinner.

What happens if you get tattooed at an unlicensed shop

In places where tattoo licensing is required, getting work done at an unlicensed shop is risky. The artist may not have received formal training in sterilization or bloodborne pathogen safety. The shop may not be inspected regularly. If you develop an infection, hepatitis, or another complication, you have fewer legal protections and less recourse.

In jurisdictions with no licensing requirement at all, there is no legal violation in operating an unlicensed shop — but the shop is still subject to health code inspections. The difference is that there is no formal credential you can check beforehand. You have to rely on reputation, word of mouth, and your own judgment about whether the shop looks clean and professional.

If you develop a serious infection or bloodborne illness after getting tattooed, you can pursue a personal injury claim against the shop or artist regardless of licensing status. But proving negligence is harder when there is no licensing standard to point to. In states and cities with formal licensing, you can argue that the artist violated the licensing requirements. In places with no licensing, you have to prove that the artist failed to follow basic health and safety practices.

Bloodborne pathogen training and sterilization standards

Even in states with no tattoo licensing requirement, health codes typically require tattoo artists to complete bloodborne pathogen training. This training covers how diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are transmitted through blood and body fluids, and what precautions prevent transmission. The training is usually a few hours long and can be taken online or in person.

Sterilization standards are also enforced through health codes in nearly every jurisdiction. Tattoo needles and equipment must be sterilized in an autoclave — a machine that uses high heat and pressure to kill all microorganisms. Single-use needles must be used for each client and disposed of in a sharps container. Ink must come from sealed, sterile containers. Reusable equipment like armrests and ink caps must be cleaned and sterilized between clients.

These standards are enforced through health department inspections, regardless of whether the artist holds a formal license. If a shop is found to be violating sterilization protocols, the health department can issue citations, fines, or closure orders. The fact that there is no "tattoo license" does not mean there is no oversight.

Tattoo apprenticeship and training requirements

In states and cities with formal tattoo licensing, apprenticeship requirements vary. Some jurisdictions require a minimum of 500 to 1,000 hours of apprenticeship under a licensed tattoo artist before you can sit for the licensing exam. Others require a certain number of months or years of supervised practice. A few have no formal apprenticeship requirement and instead rely on the written exam to test knowledge.

In places with no licensing requirement, there is no formal apprenticeship standard. An artist could theoretically start tattooing with no training at all. However, most reputable shops operate as if there were standards — they train apprentices for months or years before allowing them to tattoo clients. This is partly for quality and safety reasons, and partly because shops with a good reputation attract more clients and can charge more.

If you're considering getting tattooed by someone, it's reasonable to ask how long they've been tattooing and whether they trained under another artist. Even in places with no formal licensing, this information tells you something about their experience and the standards they were taught.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a tattoo license to get a tattoo?

No. A tattoo license is for the artist or shop, not for the person getting tattooed. You do not need any license or permission to get a tattoo. However, you should verify that the artist or shop is licensed (if required in your area) or at least inspected by the health department, because that affects the safety standards they follow.

Can I check if a tattoo artist is licensed?

Yes, if your state or city requires licensing. Contact your local health department and ask for a list of licensed tattoo artists or shops, or search their website for a database. If your area has no licensing requirement, ask the shop whether they are registered with the health department or when they were last inspected. A reputable shop will have this information readily available.

What should I do if I get an infection after getting tattooed?

Seek medical attention when ready. Tell your doctor where and when you got the tattoo. If the infection is serious or you suspect bloodborne illness, report it to your local health department. They can investigate the shop and determine whether it violated health codes. You can also pursue a personal injury claim against the shop or artist.

Is a tattoo done at an unlicensed shop illegal?

In places where tattoo licensing is required, yes — the artist is breaking the law. In places with no licensing requirement, no — there is no legal violation. However, the shop is still subject to health code inspections in both cases. If you develop a serious infection, you can pursue a claim against the shop regardless of licensing status.

What's the difference between a tattoo license and a health department inspection?

A tattoo license is a credential issued to an individual artist after they pass an exam or complete training. A health department inspection is a routine check of the shop's equipment, sterilization practices, and safety protocols. You can have one without the other — a licensed artist in an uninspected shop, or an unlicensed artist in a regularly inspected shop. Both are better than neither.