The Apprentice Program requires a student to study no less than 1,500 curriculum hours under an approved sponsor. Students in the Apprentice Program may not practice their art of study on human subjects.
To apply for an Apprentice License, a student must complete the program training hours and submit an application for apprentice licensure. The student then must sit for the Tattoo/Body Piercing Competency Examination and upon a passing score will be issued a license for one year. This Apprentice License will allow the student to practice their art under direct supervision of their approved sponsor.
Upon completion of the apprenticeship, the apprentice may apply for full licensure by submitting the Apprentice License to Full-Time License Application to OSDH.
Applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to enroll in the apprentice program. Applicants must apprentice under an OSDH approved sponsor.
Applicants must submit the following:
After the documents and forms have been reviewed and approved by OSDH, you will receive a letter of approval to begin the Curriculum Program of the apprenticeship. Your apprentice training eligibility will begin on the date the approval letter is issued. Credit will not be given to hours received prior to this date.
Apprentice hours are only valid when working for the sponsoring artist holding a current license and at the establishment(s) listed on the apprentice application.
If the approved sponsor or shop changes, it is the responsibility of the apprentice and the sponsor to notify OSDH in writing. The apprentice will make arrangements to locate another approved sponsor or shop, and must notify OSDH of the change by submitting a new Apprentice Program Application with updated sponsor/shop information.
Curriculums must meet the requirements set forth by 310:233-9-6 Apprentice Program:
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.
During this time, an Apprentice Program Weekly Time Sheet must be filled out to document how much time was spent in each of the six curriculum program categories. Copies of these weekly forms shall be submitted at the end of each quarter with a quarterly progress report.
Every three (3) months, a copy of the Apprentice Program Quarterly Progress Report shall be submitted along with copies of that quarter’s weekly time sheets. Please submit the originals to OSDH, and keep copies for your personal 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:
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:
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.
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