The Tattoo and Body Piercing Program establishes procedures and standards to prevent infection and the transmission of disease in tattoo/body piercing establishments.
All persons performing tattooing and/or body piercing in Oklahoma must be licensed in the State of Oklahoma, operate out of a licensed shop, and must maintain current training certification in bloodborne pathogen, first aid and CPR.
“Tattooing” is the practice of producing an indelible mark or figure on the human body by scarring or inserting a pigment under the skin using needles, scalpels, or other related equipment. It shall be unlawful for any person to perform or offer to perform tattooing on a child under eighteen (18) years of age.
“Body piercing” is a procedure in which an opening is created in a human body solely for the purpose of inserting jewelry or other decoration. The term does not include ear lobe piercing. It shall be unlawful for any person to perform or offer to perform body piercing on a child under eighteen (18) years of age unless the parent or legal guardian of the child is present during the procedure.
Fees: Tattoo Artist Licensing Fees are as follows: $250.00 for an initial license $250.00 for a renewal license $350.00 for a late renewal when the license is not renewed within thirty (30) days after expiration. $50.00 for a temporary license; not exceeding 7 days.
Body Piercing Artist Licensing Fees are as follows: $250.00 for an initial license $250.00 for a renewal license $350.00 for a late renewal when the license is not renewed within thirty (30) days after expiration. $50.00 for a temporary license; not exceeding 7 days. Tattoo Establishment Permit Fees are as follows: $1000.00 for an initial license $500.00 for a renewal license $750.00 for a late renewal when the permit is not renewed within thirty (30) days after expiration. $500.00 for a temporary event license; not exceeding three (3) days.
Body Piercing Establishment Permit Fees are as follows: $500.00 for an initial license $250.00 for a renewal license $350.00 for a late renewal when the permit is not renewed within thirty (30) days after expiration. $250.00 for a temporary event license; not exceeding three (3) days.
Please provide as much information as possible concerning:
A complaint against an artist or a shop may be filed by mailing us:
Oklahoma State Department of Health Consumer Health Service 123 Robert S. Kerr. Ave Suite 1702 Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406
Applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. A temporary artist license is valid for no more than seven (7) consecutive days. A temporary artist license is only valid when used in a licensed facility.
Applicants must submit proof of at least two (2) complete years of licensure experience as an artist from another state OR proof of completion of an approved apprenticeship. If the licensure experience requirements cannot be met, the applicant will not be issued a temporary license.
Applicants must submit the following:
To allow time for processing, applicants should submit their payment, application, and all required documents to the Consumer Health Service at least 2 weeks prior to the requested license dates. Please be advised, backlogs in mail and scheduled events may further increase this processing time up to 30 days so submitting complete and timely applications will help to expedite license processing.
If personal information or artist details need to be updated, please fill out the Change of Information Form and submit to:
Oklahoma State Department of Health Consumer Health Service P.O. Box 268815 Oklahoma City, OK 73126-8815
No, an artist cannot give a tattoo or body piercing if they are under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. A person cannot receive a tattoo or body piercing if they are under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
No, eating or drinking by anyone is prohibited in the area where tattoo or body piercing procedures are being performed.
No, smoking is not allowed by anyone in any licensed establishment.
Yes, you will need to fill out a brief medical history form, as well as a consent form with your name, date of birth, address, a copy of your photo ID, your signature, date of the procedure, identification and location of the procedure, and the artist’s name and license number. The shop will provide you with these forms.
No, you must be at least 18 years old to receive a tattoo in Oklahoma.
Only if your parent or guardian is present for the procedure and consents, then yes, you may receive a body piercing if under the age of 18.
No, it is unlawful for any artist to perform tattoo or body piercing procedures outside of a licensed establishment.
Call the Consumer Health Service for information: (405) 426-8250.
No, the tattoo and body piercing licenses are separate. A tattoo license does not allow you to body pierce; a body piercing license does not allow you to tattoo.
No, you cannot. It is unlawful to perform any procedure without a current license in the appropriate category. There is a 30 day grace period for license renewals before a $100 late fee is assessed. However, the grace period only applies to the late fee; it does not permit an artist to practice with an expired license.
If your license is less than one (1) year expired, you will need to pay for the renewal and the late fee. You also need to have current Bloodborne Pathogens, CPR, and First Aid trainings. If your license is more than one (1) year expired, you will need to follow all of the steps to apply for a new license. Call Consumer Health Service to verify when your license expired: (405)-271-5243.
No, the 1500 hours are to be accumulated in no less than one (1) year and no more than two (2) years.
Mailing Address: Oklahoma State Department of Health Consumer Health Service P.O. Box 268815 Oklahoma City, OK 73126-8815
Physical Address: Oklahoma State Department of Health 123 Robert S. Kerr Ave. Oklahoma City, OK
Phone: (405) 426-8250 Fax: (405) 900-7557 Email: CHSLicensing@health.ok.gov
