In California, body art practitioners must register with the county in which they do business. (This guide will refer to registration requirements in Los Angeles county.) Registration costs $54.
Registrations expire after one year and must be renewed every year. Renewal costs $54. Registration and renewal both use this application.
Body Art Practitioner Registration Application
The body art practitioner application covers tattoo artists, body piercing, permanent cosmetics, and branding. In order to register in Los Angeles county, you will need: |
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A copy of a valid government-issued ID In most states, you can use a driver’s license or passport to apply to perform body art. Your ID needs to have your photo on it. It’s also a good idea to have documentation of your residence (to show it matches the address on your driver’s license). |
A completed registration/renewal application. At the time of writing, there is no online submission option. You have to mail your application or take it in person. You will need to include your application fee. Do not mail cash. Instead, include a cashier’s check or money order payable to your local health department. |
One passport-type photo (2x2 inch). You can get an approved photo at any CVS Photo location. Click here to find a location near you. |
Current Hepatitis B Vaccination Documentation or Voluntary Declination of Hepatitis B Vaccine Form Both options are included in the same form. Some people might choose to decline the vaccine if their doctor has determined it could cause problems or allergic reactions. |
A certificate of completion for an Approved Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Training Provider. A tattoo apprenticeship or body art program cannot give you a Bloodborne Pathogens certificate. These are only available through OSHA-approved programs (like American Red Cross). |
If your county has additional regulations, you can find them here.
The body art practitioner application covers tattoo artists, body piercing, permanent cosmetics, and branding. In order to register in Los Angeles county, you will need:
In most states, you can use a driver’s license or passport to apply to perform body art. Your ID needs to have your photo on it. It’s also a good idea to have documentation of your residence (to show it matches the address on your driver’s license).
At the time of writing, there is no online submission option. You have to mail your application or take it in person. You will need to include your application fee.
Do not mail cash. Instead, include a cashier’s check or money order payable to your local health department.
You can get an approved photo at any CVS Photo location. Click here to find a location near you.
Both options are included in the same form. Some people might choose to decline the vaccine if their doctor has determined it could cause problems or allergic reactions.
A tattoo apprenticeship or body art program cannot give you a Bloodborne Pathogens certificate. These are only available through OSHA-approved programs (like American Red Cross).
If your county has additional regulations, you can find them here.
Turn in or Mail Completed Application
Make sure to turn in your signed application and all your required documents at the same time. You will need to register with your local public department of health. A list of local health service departments can be found here.
For Los Angeles County, you can submit your application in person at this address:
County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Environmental Health
5050 Commerce Drive
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
Your registration will become active within one week of your application being processed.
If You Are Opening a Body Art Facility:
All body art facilities (tattoo shop, permanent cosmetics, microblading and/or body piercing shops) in Los Angeles must submit the following:
Every artist in your facility must follow the regulations stated in the Safe Body Art Act and have completed an infection prevention training course. Read the Safe Body Art Act here.
Note:
Before constructing or renovating a space into a body art facility, you need to be approved by an environmental health officer from your local enforcement agency. Find more info in the Body Art Facility Plan Check Guidelines here.
Temporary Body Art Facilities:
If you are hosting a temporary event, you and each of the body art practitioners need to have appropriate health permits (see list below):
If You Are Opening a Mobile Body Art Facility:
You have to have a Public Health Permit to own/work in a mobile body art facility. You will have to either call (626) 430-5570 or email bodyartprogram@ph.lacounty.gov for more information.
Things You Should Know:
It is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18, even if they have parental consent.
Find the California Health and Safety Code here.
Approved infectious diseases control course : http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/docs/business/approved-bloodborne-pathogen-exposure-control-training-providers.pdf
Body art industry research: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/EH/business/body-art.htm
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB1168
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/LocalHealthServicesAndOffices.aspx
Tattoo license registration and renewal: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/docs/permit/body-art-partitioner-registration-renewal.pdf (626) 430-5570
Disease prevention Hepatitis B vaccination info: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/hepatitis-b
Safe Body Art Act: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=HSC&division=104.&title=&part=15.&chapter=7.&article=
Minimum standards for tattooing body piercing shop plans checklist: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/docs/permit/body-art-facilities-plan-check-guideline.pdf
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