To be a tattoo artist or permanent makeup artist in Florida, you must have a Tattoo Artist License issued by the state of Florida. A license costs $60.
You must renew your license every year with your local county health department. Renewal costs $60 for an active license. If you have an expired tattoo artist license, you will also have to pay a $25 Reactivation fee. You cannot professionally tattoo without an active tattoo artist license registration from your local Florida department of health.
The Application
In order to get a Tattoo Artist License, you must provide: |
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A completed Tattoo Artist License application* |
A copy of a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) |
Certificate of completion for the required Bloodborne Pathogen and Communicable Diseases Course. Find approved courses here. A minimum of a 70% score is required. |
Be prepared to pay the $60 licensure fee. |
Please note that tattoo artist licensure is required to practice cosmetic tattooing. |
*The Florida department of health requires you to list the licensed tattoo establishments where you will perform tattooing.
In order to get a Tattoo Artist License, you must provide:
- A completed Tattoo Artist License application*
- A copy of a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
- Certificate of completion for the required Bloodborne Pathogen and Communicable Diseases Course. Find approved courses here. A minimum of a 70% score is required.
Please note that tattoo artist licensure is required to practice cosmetic tattooing.
*The Florida department of health requires you to list the licensed tattoo establishments where you will perform tattooing.
To renew a Florida Tattoo Artist License |
For an already licensed tattoo artist: Complete a Tattoo Artist License application (be sure to check “Renewal” at the top). |
Be prepared to pay the $60 renewal fee. |
To renew a Florida Tattoo License:
For an already licensed tattoo artist:
- Complete a Tattoo Artist License application (be sure to check “Renewal” at the top).
- Be prepared to pay the $60 renewal fee.
Note:
Both the initial and renewal applications will require you to list the name of the licensed tattoo establishment where you will be working/tattooing.
Tattooing with an Out-of-State License/Working as a Guest Tattoo Artist:
Guest tattoo artists from out-of-state: your license is only valid for two weeks. Learn how to get your guest tattoo artist registration here.
If your local county health department has additional regulations for tattoo artists, you can find them here.
Turn in Your Florida Tattoo License Application
You must submit your completed application in person at your local county Florida department of health where you live (not necessarily where the shop is). Find your local county department of health’s address here.
You can pay any fees via check, money order, or credit card while at the department of health.
Your application will be deemed complete or incomplete within 30 days of being received, and it will be processed within 90 days.
If You Are a Permanent Makeup Artist:
To be a permanent makeup artist licensed in Florida, you will need to fill out the same tattoo artist license. You will be required to take the same tattoo education course for preventing communicable diseases and submit proof of your Bloodborne Pathogens Certification.
If You Are Opening a Tattoo Shop:
To open a licensed tattoo establishment, you must do the following:
All forms and payments go to the County Health Department where your business is located.
Tattoo artist licensure Application: http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/tattooing/_documents/ApplicationforTattooArtistLicense1.pdf
Approved infection control course for body tattoo artists and cosmetic tattooing: http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/tattooing/tattoo-educational-materials.html
Minor tattoo consent form: https://cdn.websites.hibu.com/0d5284e6460046e9b492a2e05e7c7af1/files/uploaded/studio-54-tattoo-and-piercings-minor-consent-form-florida-tattoo.pdf
http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/tattooing/tattoo-artist.html
http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/tattooing/county-contact-information-include-block.html
http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/county-health-departments/index.html
http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/tattooing/tattoo-educational-materials.html
850-245-4277
For further assistance finding hepatitis B vaccine: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/hepatitis-b
Cosmetic tattooing permanent make up information: https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/tattooing/microblading.html
Tattoo establishment requirements: https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/tattooing/microblading.html
Prepare for a Tattooing Career with the Artist Accelerator Program
Learning the steps you need to take to get licensed is an important step in your journey, but it can also be pretty eye-opening to how difficult tattooing can be. Without the right knowledge, it’s impossible to level up your skills and become a professional tattoo artist.
However, finding the straight-forward information you need to progress is difficult. And with so much out there online, it’s hard to avoid picking up bad habits from incorrect and outdated resources.
This is one of the biggest struggles new tattooers face, and too many talented artists have given up their goal of getting into tattooing because of the years it would take to unlearn their bad habits.
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Over 2500 students have already gone through the course, with many of them opening up their own studios. If you want to join them and learn the skills you need to start tattooing full time faster…
Click here to learn more about the Artist Accelerator Program.
