To become a tattoo artist in Georgia, you must get a body art license from your local Environmental Health Office.
The Georgia Department of Health has a $50 exam fee. However, they do not currently list the application or renewal fee.
Body Art License Requirements
To obtain a Body Art license from the Georgia Department of Health, you must send the following documents to your local Environmental Health Office via mail: |
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A completed Body Art License Application and applicable fee (you have to call your county office to get the application and find out how much the fee is for your area) |
Certificates of successful completion of OSHA Basic First Aid, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens/Universal Precautions, and in-person CPR training - you must have a passing grade of 70%. |
A copy of your photo ID (you must be 18 or older) |
Proof of Hepatitis B vaccination series (required to practice body art unless you have a declination form) |
Pay all applicable fees. |
To obtain a Body Art license from the Georgia Department of Health, you must send the following documents to your local Environmental Health Office via mail:
- A completed Body Art License Application and applicable fee (you have to call your county office to get the application and find out how much the fee is for your area)
- Certificates of successful completion of OSHA Basic First Aid, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens/Universal Precautions, and in-person CPR training - you must have a passing grade of 70%.
- A copy of your photo ID (you must be 18 or older)
- Proof of Hepatitis B vaccination series (required to practice body art unless you have a declination form)
- Pay all applicable fees.
Every body art artist also has to pass a Departmental Body Art Exam. You will schedule your exam with your local Environmental Health Office.
Find out how to contact your county about specific requirements here, and contact your local Environmental Health contacts here.
Artists are required to display their license in body art establishments for customers to see.
Body Artist Certification for Piercing, Permanent Makeup, and Other Physical Body Adornment:
Georgia defines all of the following as “body art procedures”: tattooing, piercing, permanent cosmetics, scarification, and branding.
Any type of body artist must apply for a body artist license, and complete the same training courses.
Body Art Studio Permit Requirements
If you want to open your own tattoo shop, you’ll have to get a body art studio permit from the Georgia Department of Public Health. Send the following to your county’s Environmental Health Office via mail:
District 4 is responsible for doing regular inspections of body art studios and making sure its health practices comply with Georgia’s rules and regulations.
A permitted body art studio cannot perform tattoo removal unless there is a licensed and trained physician doing it.
Things You Should Know:
It is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18.
You can find Georgia’s local body art ordinance as well as standard practices for body artists and existing body art studios here.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12CIk_cHmQSZP7bEv4xYVRDJyPNIh9oHghrtP-vczISM/edit?gid=0#gid=0
https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/body-art
https://www.gnrhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/5.07-Body-Crafter-Application-NCEH-10.07.2016.pdf
https://www.gnrhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/5.01-Body-Art-Artist-Application-GCEH-6.14.2017.pdf
https://www.gnrhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/5.10-Body-Art-Artist-Application-RCEH-10.07.2016.pdf
https://www.gnrhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Body-Art-Regulations-RHC.pdf
https://www.gnrhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Body-Art-Regulations-GW.pdf
Infectious diseases education: https://courseforbbp.com/states
For further assistance finding hepatitis B vaccine: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/hepatitis-b
Public health requirements: https://www.neha.org/body-art
Health district site: https://www.district4health.org/environmental-health/body-art-tattoos-piercings/
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