If you are considering a career as a tattoo artist in Illinois, the good news is that as an individual you won’t require a license, you will be tattooing under the studio owner’s registration certificate.
Of course, If you plan to open a studio yourself, you would tattoo under your own body art establishments’ registration.
How to become a tattoo artist in Illinois
As mentioned, there is no mandate to acquire a license to practise as a tattoo artist in Illinois.
However, it is unlawful to tattoo outside of a registered premises, as designated by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Studios must have and display a current Certificate of Registration.
Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Registration Act
The Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Registration Act was adopted by the Illinois General Assembly in 2007 for aspiring artists and shop owners in the body art and permanent makeup industries.
- A studio or salon is required to be licensed before practitioners can complete tattoo, piercing, permanent cosmetic and body art procedures in Illinois. This is regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health under the Illinois Department of Public Health 2008 Body Art Code.
- Any studio that performs body art services, such as tattooing, branding, body piercing, or scarification must be registered with the department.
- An inspection is required, and renewal inspections are conducted on a regular basis.
Fees
Fees are set at the following rates:
- $500 per application
- $50 per additional station
- a flat $250 for a temporary tattooing facility.
What is Required to Offer Body Art Services in Illinois?
What do you need to do to start providing tattooing, piercing, and other body art services in Illinois?
Tattoo Studio Artist Registration
In Illinois the tattoo artist does not hold the permit with the Department of Health, the premises holds the individual license.
Each tattoo artist operating in a studio must provide proof of education along with a bloodborne pathogen training course.
Studio owners are responsible for ensuring that each artist meets the regulations and requirements detailed by the Illinois Compiled Statutes, but there is no individual artist license required.
How to Register Artists in a Studio
It is the responsibility of the tattoo shop operator to apply for a body art permit for each of their practitioners.
- The application takes around four to six weeks to process.
- You must check local business and zoning requirements and rules before applying – this may void your state registration if you fail to comply with local requirements.
- You can complete the registration online with the Department of Health and Human Services or you can mail in a hardcopy.
- You will need to provide information including but not limited to:
- Owner and premises address (physical and mailing),
- Artist name and address
- List of procedures offered at your facility,
- The age of your facility,
- A list of all equipment used for tattooing, body piercing, permanent cosmetic or other body art related procedures, such as autoclave sterilizers, tattoo guns, needles, etc).
- A list of operational procedures,
- Aftercare instructions,
- An establishment floor plan,
- A parental consent form.
Bloodborne Pathogen Certification
It is important to maintain a clean and sterile environment for both you and your clients.
OSHA compliant bloodborne pathogens training can teach you how to properly clean and disinfect your equipment, as well as how to handle and dispose of contaminated waste.
These courses can also provide invaluable knowledge on how to protect yourself from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
By taking a bloodborne pathogens course, tattoo artists can ensure that they are taking all the required precautions according to federal and state regulations and doing their part to prevent the spread of disease.
According to the Piercing Establishment Registration Act, Illinois requires tattoo artists working in tattoo shops to complete an OSHA Blood-borne pathogens course.
Temporary Business Application
A temporary license for a mobile unit or temporary event can be applied for online by paying a fee of $500 for a mobile unit or $250 for a temporary permit.
A temporary permit is valid for 14 consecutive days after the date of issue.
County Specific Regulations for Tattoo Artists
If your local county health department has additional regulations, for example Sangamon County does have some, you can find them here.
Illinois Tattooing Essential Facts:
- Since 2019, all tattoo shops must post a Notice regarding the Human Trafficking Resource Center Notice Act. The Illinois Health Department is also required to monitor this during visits to the establishments.
- Illinois requires each tattoo shop to have at least two wash basins for every business.
- Illinois tattoo rules do not apply to physicians’ offices if they are exempt.
- The Department of Health conducts regular inspections.
- If you fail to renew your permit and pay the fee each time it is due for registration, you could have your license revoked.
- Only a tattoo studio operator can register for a certified copy of a body art registration license.
More Information About Body Art Procedures and Services in Illinois
You can get more information about fees, the law, and the application process by visiting the Department of Health website.
You may also email direct enquiries to: [email protected].
Applying for a Tattoo License in a different State?
Rules, requirements and regulations vary significantly between American states, and even individual counties within a state.
It’s always best to have a clear idea of what you need before you start applying for your license. You can find information for every American state in our guide on how to get a tattoo license.
