Apprentice Program

• Guidelines to Become an Apprentice
• Guidelines to Become an Apprentice Sponsor

• Sponsor Application
• Apprentice Program Application
• Apprentice License Application
• Apprentice Program Weekly Time Sheets
• Apprentice Program Quarterly Progress Report
• Affidavit of Lawful Presence

• Chapter 310:233 - Apprentice Program sections

Curriculums must meet the requirements set forth by 310:233-9-6 Apprentice Program:

• Curriculum requirements shall be taught over a minimum of 1,500 hours to include the following:
  1. Microbiology;
  2. Sanitation and disinfection;
  3. Safety;
  4. Bloodborne pathogen standards;
  5. Professional standards; and
  6. Body piercing or tattooing.
• The apprentice program shall be a minimum of one (1) year and no more than two (2) years in length.
  1. The curriculum must address all six of the above categories, and should indicate what specifically will be taught in each category.
  2. The curriculum should indicate how much time will be spent on each category, to total at least 1,500 hours.
  3. The curriculum should be constructed so as to be completed in at least one (1) year and no more than two (2) years.
  4. A sponsor’s artist license must be current during the accumulation of all of the apprentice’s curriculum hours and for the duration of the one (1) year of the Apprentice License. Any time the sponsor’s license is not current hours WILL NOT be credited to the apprentice’s time.
  5. A sponsor can only have one (1) apprentice in the curriculum program and one (1) apprentice with an Apprentice License at a time. 

You must be approved by the Department to begin accumulating hours for your apprenticeship. Hours acquired prior to Department approval will not be counted.

Once approved, a minimum of 1,500 curriculum hours must be accumulated over the course of at least one (1) year and no more than two (2) years. Quarterly Progress Reports and Weekly Time Sheets must be submitted to OSDH every three (3) months. Please keep copies for your records.

When at least 1,500 hours of curriculum training have been verified by OSDH, the student will be eligible to take the Tattoo/Body Piercing Competency Examination. To receive the Test Letter required for this examination, the student must submit the following:

• Completed Apprentice License Application
• Bloodborne Pathogen training
• First Aid Training
• CPR training
• Affidavit of Lawful Presence
• $250

Submit all paperwork and documentation to:

Oklahoma State Department of Health
Consumer Protection Division
PO Box 268815
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-8815

The student will then receive a Test Letter, and should select an approved testing location to take the Tattoo/Body Piercing Competency Examination. The student should contact that facility to schedule an exam.

The student must present the original Test Letter issued by the OSDH and a valid photo ID to the selected Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education approved testing location.

The testing fee will be $200.00, paid directly to Career Tech. Check with the selected testing location for valid forms of payment.

The student must receive a minimum score of 70% on the written examination that will include:

1. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and disease;
2. Theory and application of ink;
3. Safety and aseptic technique;
4. Professionalism; and
5. Client consultation services.

If the minimum score of 70% is not met, the student can retest up to two (2) times. The student must wait at least seven (7) days before retesting. If a passing score is unable to be met after three (3) attempts, the student will be required re-enroll in an Apprentice Program.

Once the passing score is received by OSDH, the Tattoo or Body Piercing Apprentice License will be mailed to the student.