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Body Piercing and Tattoo

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You have expressed interest in becoming a tattoo or body piercing apprentice program candidate. To be eligible to become a tattoo or body piercing apprentice program candidate, you must:

You have expressed interest in becoming a tattoo or body piercing apprentice. To be eligible to become a tattoo or body piercing apprentice, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Submit an affidavit of lawful presence.
  • Submit a correctly completed license application to CHSLicensing@health.ok.gov along with:
    • A copy of your current bloodborne pathogen certification
    • A copy of your current first aid certification
    • A copy of your current CPR certification 
  • Submit $250.00 apprentice application fee.
  • Provide proof of completion, from a department-approved sponsor, of 1500 hours of curriculum which included:
    • Microbiology
    • Sanitation and disinfection
    • Safety
    • Bloodborne pathogen standards
    • Professional standards
    • Body piercing or tattooing procedures

You have expressed interest in becoming a licensed tattoo or body piercing artist. To be eligible for a tattoo or body piercing artist license, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Submit an affidavit of lawful presence.
  • Submit a correctly completed license application to CHSLicensing@health.ok.gov along with:
    • A copy of your current bloodborne pathogen certification
    • A copy of your current first aid certification
    • A copy of your current CPR certification 
    • A copy of a current government-issued photo ID
  • Submit $250.00 license application fee.
  • Provide proof of experience for:
    • Successful completion of an approved apprentice program OR
    • Documentation of two years of licensure issued by another governmental entity which can include:
      • Copies of artist license issued by another governmental entity
      • Statements from the regulatory authority
      • Statements from the facility operator where the applicant worked
      • Proof of membership in an entity where the being an artist is required for membership, or 
      • Tax returns reflecting the applicant worked as an artist
  • Completion of the skills challenge with 70% or higher

You have expressed interest in becoming a licensed tattoo and/or body piercing establishment. To be eligible to become a licensed tattoo and/or body piercing establishment, you must:

  • Be 18 years or older.
  • Submit an affidavit of lawful presence.
  • Submit a copy of the Article of Incorporation.
  • Submit a correctly completed license application to CHSLicensing@health.ok.gov.
  • Submit the required application fee (Tattoo establishment - $1,000; Body Piercing establishment - $500).
  • Submit proof of a notice published in local newspaper with the proposed business address.
  • Demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements during a pre-licensing inspection.

You have expressed interest in becoming a temporary licensed tattoo or body piercing artist. To be eligible for a temporary tattoo or body piercing artist license, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Submit an affidavit of lawful presence.
  • Submit a correctly completed license application to CHSLicensing@health.ok.gov along with:
    • A copy of your current bloodborne pathogen certification
    • A copy of your current first aid certification
    • A copy of your current CPR certification 
    • A copy of a current government-issued photo ID
    • A copy of birth certificate
  • Provide proof of two years as a licensed tattoos or body piercing artist experience or proof of an approved apprenticeship.
  • Submit $50.00 license application fee.

You have expressed interest in becoming a temporary (events) licensed tattoo and/or body piercing establishment. To be eligible for a temporary (events) tattoo and/or body piercing establishment license, you must:

  • Be 18 years or older.
  • Submit a correctly completed affidavit of lawful presence.
  • Submit a copy of the Article of Incorporation.
  • Submit a correctly completed license application to CHSLicensing@health.ok.gov.
  • Submit the required $500.00 application fee.
  • Provide proof of a Notice published in local newspaper with the proposed business address.
  • Identify whether the purpose of the event is product demonstration, an industry trade show, or educational reasons.
  • Demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements during the licensing inspection.

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Rules and Regulations


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Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Consumer Health Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Suite 1702 
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406

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

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