The Mississippi State Department is currently working on a statewide permit/license program, but for now you must follow local regulations. This guide will outline the requirements in Mississippi. For other areas, contact your local health department.
Certificates of Registration expire yearly on May 31st. The cost of renewing your Certificate of Registration is $150.
Fees should be paid to the Mississippi Department of Health by certified check, cashier’s check, or money order.
The Application
Tattoo artists in Mississippi must have a Provisional Certificate of Registration (an apprentice-level license) and work under the direct supervision of someone with a Regular Certificate of Registration for at least nine months before applying for a Regular Certificate of Registration from the Department of Public Health.
Apprentice License
To obtain a Provisional Certificate of Registration to work as a tattoo artist in the body art industry, you must submit the following via the online portal: |
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Your completed, notarized tattoo artist license application |
A copy of your driver's license or social security card |
A passport-style photo (guidelines here) |
Application fee - $150 |
Proof that you have successfully completed any OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens training course - this training verifies that you have proper training in preventing disease transmission (like hepatitis B) and are certified in first aid from the American Red Cross |
Completed and signed supervisory agreement form |
To obtain a Provisional Certificate of Registration to work as a tattoo artist in the body art industry, you must submit the following via the online portal:
- Your completed, notarized tattoo artist license application
- A copy of your driver's license or social security card
- A passport-style photo (guidelines here)
- Application fee - $150
- Proof that you have successfully completed any OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens training course - this training verifies that you have proper training in preventing disease transmission (like hepatitis B) and are certified in first aid from the American Red Cross
- Completed and signed supervisory agreement form
Regular License
To obtain a Regular Certificate of Registration to work as a tattoo artist or in body piercing, you must complete the following tasks for licensing, according to Mississippi State Public Health regulations via the online portal: |
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Complete a notarized application |
Submit a copy of your driver's license or social security card |
Complete and submit a passport-style photo (copies are not accepted) |
Pay the nonrefundable application fee of $150 |
Submit proof that you have successfully completed any OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens training and understand the rules regarding safety, sanitation, and American Red Cross procedures |
To obtain a Regular Certificate of Registration to work as a tattoo artist or in body piercing, you must complete the following tasks for licensing, according to Mississippi State Public Health regulations:
- Complete a notarized application
- Submit a copy of your driver's license or social security card
- Complete and submit a passport-style photo (copies are not accepted)
- Pay the nonrefundable application fee of $150
- Submit proof that you have successfully completed any OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens training and understand the rules regarding safety, sanitation, and American Red Cross procedures
If your county has additional regulations, you can find them here.
If an artist wants to transfer their license from another state to become licensed in Mississippi, they must complete the steps listed above for the Regular Certificate of Registration, as well as the Verification of License/Registration form.
No Provisional Certificate of Registration is needed first for a person who has held a valid license/registration in another state within the last 18 months.
Body Piercing Registration
The body piercing registration is hosted in the same Department of Health Professional Licensure page here. (This is their statewide permit license program.) Permanent cosmetics falls under tattooing and there aren’t specific requirements for that license.
All body art operators need to have training on the general guidelines of safety through a Bloodborne Pathogens certification.
Turn in Your Tattoo Artist Application
Once you have submitted your tattoo artist license application via the online portal, completed the proper tattoo artist training, (and paid the appropriate fees), the Department of Health will schedule a health and safety site inspection of your tattoo and body art facilities in Mississippi.
Once that is complete, you will receive licensing for your business. This will need to be renewed on a regular basis.
Things You Should Know:
It is a misdemeanor to tattoo a person under the age of 18 in Mississippi, regardless of parental consent. The penalty for tattooing a person who is underage varies depending on the frequency and severity of the violation but generally is punishable by the revocation of a license or other criminal prosecutions.
You can contact the State Department of Health for more information or view the list of site options below for more information on tattoo licensing and training course availability in Mississippi.
Infection control course by state: https://courseforbbp.com/states
Online portal: https://www.msdhpl.webapps.ms.gov/NewApplication/Default.aspx
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