Pennsylvania is one of the states in the US that does not require tattoo artists to obtain a license in order to operate. However, its individual counties and some cities have their own requirements in place to open tattoo shops or tattoo establishments and certification requirements that professional tattoo artists must abide by.
In this article, we will outline the steps you need to take to get your license and provide some tips on how to make the process easier.
PA Requirements for Tattoo Establishment Owners and Tattoo Artists
The state board of health does not require a certification to apply tattoos. However, many counties require a certification or registration to become a tattoo artist. You will need to check with your local department of health to see if they require tattoo artists to register.
Pennsylvania’s largest county, Philadelphia county, requires tattoo artists to apply for a Certification.
NOTE: The information that follows is for Philadelphia county only:
The Application
In most Pennsylvania counties and cities, all tattoo professionals must have a valid license in order to operate. The application process for a tattoo license is relatively simple and can usually be completed online.
To get a Philadelphia Apprentice Certificate, you will need to submit the following: |
|---|
A completed Philadelphia Apprentice Certificate Application. |
A copy of your Bloodborne Pathogens training certificate. Training options can be found here, here, and here. |
A cashier’s check or money order for $40 made payable to Philadelphia Health Department - EHS |
A letter (stating that a licensed tattoo artist is taking you on as an apprentice) signed by both the tattoo artist and you, the apprentice. |
Any basic First Aid training certificate |
To get a Philadelphia Certificate, you will need to submit the following: |
A completed Philadelphia Artist Certificate Application. |
A copy of your Bloodborne Pathogens training certificate. |
A cashier’s check or money order for $40 |
Official documentation showing that you’ve been tattooing full time for at least 3 years with certified body artists (for new Philadelphia artists only). |
To get a Philadelphia Apprentice Certificate, you will need to submit the following:
- A completed Philadelphia Apprentice Certificate Application.
- A copy of your Bloodborne Pathogens training certificate. Training options can be found here, here, and here.
- A cashier’s check or money order for $40 made payable to Philadelphia Health Department - EHS
- A letter (stating that a licensed tattoo artist is taking you on as an apprentice) signed by both the tattoo artist and you, the apprentice.
- Any basic First Aid training certificate
To get a Philadelphia Certificate, you will need to submit the following:
- A completed Philadelphia Artist Certificate Application.
- A copy of your Bloodborne Pathogens training certificate.
- A cashier’s check or money order for $40
- Official documentation showing that you’ve been tattooing full time for at least 3 years with certified body artists (for new Philadelphia artists only).
If you need a replacement certificate, send a cashier’s check or money order for $65 payable to Philadelphia Health Department - EHS, along with a written statement explaining why you need a replacement certificate. Submit this with your application.
If your county has additional regulations, you can find them here.
Generally, once all of these requirements have been met, applicants will be issued a license which must be renewed every two years. By following these simple steps, individuals can ensure that they are operating legally and safely when providing tattoo services in Pennsylvania.
Turn in Your Application
Applications and payment must be submitted by mail. Again, the example below is for tattoo professionals and tattoo shops in the city of Philadelphia, PA only.
Applicants can mail their applications and application fee to the local department of health at:
Philadelphia Department of Public Health – EHS
Environmental Engineering Office
321 University Avenue – 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
You will check a box on your application whether you want them to mail the certificate to you or if you want to pick it up in person.
Within 30 days of turning in your complete application, they’ll mail the license to you or tell you to come pick it up.
Things You Should Know:
It is illegal to tattoo a minor without the consent of a parent or legal guardian. If you are found guilty of providing tattoo services to those under the age of 18 years old (without parental permission), you can be jailed for three months, pay a fine of $100, or both.
Tattooing and body piercing pose the risk of serious infection. Therefore, it is important that you take all sanitary measures and meet all the requirements as detailed by the local and Pennsylvania Department of Health to ensure that communicable diseases are prevented (and that your customers are aware of the risk).
Opening a Tattoo Business in Pennsylvania
In addition to ensuring that all tattoo shop professionals have the appropriate licensing and have completed a training program to acquaint them with proper safety standards, all tattoo shops must meet the following requirements to operate the businesses as well.
There are certain health standards and rules that tattoo shops must meet in order to obtain and maintain their licenses as well. Check with your local health officer for more information but in general, all permanent and temporary establishment facilities for tattooing must meet the following requirements :
https://careertrend.com/how-8522522-certified-health-board-do-tattooing.html
https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-license/business-licenses-permits-and-approvals/body-artists/apply-for-a-body-artist-certification/
https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-public-health/
https://www.phila.gov/media/20181004140317/Body_Art_Artist_Application.pdf
https://www.health.pa.gov/About/Pages/County-Municipal%20Health%20Depts.aspx
Infection control course https://courseforbbp.com/states/PA
Infectious diseases education: https://blxtraining.com/tattoopiercing-bbp/
https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9KAZtjKSKpfAFsF
https://www.phila.gov/documents/body-artist-certificate-applications/
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.
That’s why aspiring artists are learning to tattoo with the Artist Accelerator Program’s structured course. As a student, you learn every step of the tattooing process from professional artists with the experience and advice you need to build your skills and create incredible tattoos.
With the Artist Accelerator, you can stop wasting time searching through incorrect information. You just get the clear, easy-to-understand lessons you need to start improving fast… along with support and personalized feedback from professional artists in our online Mastermind group.
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.
Im disable and cannot work. I am very much so interested in just getting my tattoo license still. I have not worked in any shops I have worked outta my basement on my self I have over forty tattoos on my own body , I did all the ones I can reach even in difficult spots .