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How to Protect Yourself When Getting a Tattoo

• Tattoo artists and the tattoo establishment must both have a license issued by the Florida Department of Health.
• Licenses should be current and visible.
• The area to be tattooed must be cleaned prior to tattooing.
• Observe your surroundings. The facility should be clean.
• The artist must wear gloves and use a new pair if they become contaminated.
• Only sterile, single-use needles should be used.
• Ink, dyes, or pigments must be portioned per customer.
• Obtain after care instructions at the time of your tattoo and follow these to promote safe healing.
• Keep the tattoo clean.
• Seek medical attention if you have an allergic reaction or infection. Signs of a possible infection include excessive soreness, tenderness, redness, drainage, swelling, or pain at the tattoo site.
• Swimming and sunbathing is not recommended directly after getting a tattoo.

• Complete an Application for Tattoo Artist License (154kb PDF) in its entirety, including the name of the Tattoo Establishment where you will work or intend to work.
• Complete a Department approved Bloodborne Pathogen and Communicable Diseases training course with a passing score of at least 70% on the examination.
• Submit completed Application for Tattoo Artist License(154kb PDF), $60 state license fee, copy of certificate of completion from a Department approved bloodborne pathogens and communicable diseases course, and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the local Department of Health office in the county having jurisdiction of the tattooing program in the county in which you reside.  It is also recommended that you contact the local Department of Health office to learn if there are any additional local fees for the license.

• To reactivate a Tattoo Artist License, complete an Application for Tattoo Artist License (154kb PDF) and submit it, along with $85 (the $60 license fee and $25 reactivation fee), to the local Department of Health office in the county having jurisdiction of the tattoo program in the county in which you reside.  Please make sure to check "Renewal" at the top of the Application, which follows the statement "Type of License."   It is also recommended that you contact the local Department of Health office to learn if there are any additional local fees for the license renewal.

• Applications are processed in accordance with Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, which allows the Department 30 days from the date the application is received to deem it complete or incomplete and 90 days to process complete applications.  Tattoo applications are generally processed in a shorter period of time. Contact the local Department of Health office for further details.

• You may access all Department approved providers for the Bloodborne Pathogen and Communicable Diseases Course using the following link: Bloodborne Pathogen Course Providers.
• Please note, some providers have several versions of bloodborne pathogen courses which are specific to a particular state's requirements. Be sure that you have completed a course specific to Florida's requirements found in Rule 64E-28.006, Florida Administrative Code.

No.  An Apprenticeship is not required in the state of Florida to apply for the Tattoo Artist License (154kb PDF).

The Application for Tattoo Artist License is processed by the local Department of Health office having jurisdiction of the program in the county in which you reside.

• No.  A Tattoo Establishment License is not transferrable(58.2kb PDF) from one location to another.
• Should you wish to relocate your tattoo establishment, you will need to begin the licensure process by submitting a completed Application for Tattoo Establishment License(44kb PDF) to the local Department of Health office and scheduling an inspection. A new license must be issued before practicing tattooing at the new location.

Yes. You must list the tattoo establishment that you will work at or intend to work at on the Application for Tattoo Artist License (154kb PDF) before it can be processed.

• No.  A Tattoo Establishment License is not transferrable(58.2kb PDF) from one person to another.
• Should you purchase a tattoo shop, you will need to begin the licensure process by submitting a completed Application for Tattoo Establishment License (44kb PDF) to the local Department of Health office and scheduling an inspection. A new license must be issued before practicing tattooing under the new ownership.

Once you have completed the required bloodborne pathogen and communicable diseases training course and decided where you intend to practice tattooing, submit your completed application.

• To obtain a copy of the Tattoo Artist License, please contact the local Department of Health office in the county having jurisdiction of the tattooing program in the county in which you reside.
• To obtain a copy of the Tattoo Establishment License, please contact the local Department of Health office in the county having jurisdiction of the tattooing program in the county in which the business resides.

• Minors of the age 16 through 17 may get a tattoo in the state of Florida as long as:
  • The minor child is accompanied by his or her parent or legal guardian;
  • The minor child and his or her parent or legal guardian each submit proof of his or her identity by producing a government-issued photo identification.  If the photo identification for the minor does not show a birth date, a copy of the minor's birth certificate is required;
  • The parent or legal guardian submits his or her written notarized consent in the format prescribed by the Department; and
    
  • The parent or legal guardian submits proof that he or she is the parent or legal guardian of the minor child.

Yes; provided you have received your billing invoice; Licenses may be renewed through MyFloridaEHPermit.com; Please note that although you may submit your payment online, you must submit a completed Application for Tattoo Artist License (154kb PDF) to the local Department of Health office.  Licenses will not be issued without receiving both, payment and application.

No.  At this time, all applications must be submitted by email, fax, or mail to the local Department of Health.  Please contact your local office for further details.

The Florida Statutes do not have provisions for a mobile tattoo license. All tattooing must occur in a licensed fixed or temporary tattoo establishment.

The unit must be incapable of being moved in order for it to be licensed as a tattoo establishment.  The application requires the establishment to be a Fixed Location or Temporary Location.  Fixed is defined in Rule 64E-28.002(9), of the Florida Administrative Code, as incapable of being moved.  If you are able to meet this requirement, you may be able to receive an annual license.

The Florida Statutes do not provide provisions for issuing an annual tattoo establishment license for a mobile tattoo unit.  A temporary tattoo establishment license may be issued for a mobile tattoo unit, providing the tattooing is at a convention or other similar event and the mobile unit meets the same licensure requirements as a permanent tattoo establishment.  The temporary license may be issued for up to 14 consecutive days at a single location.

No.  Conventional tattooing and cosmetic tattooing, including permanent makeup and microblading, may only be practiced at a licensed tattoo establishment.

• If during your training you will be practicing on a live human model, you will need to apply for a Tattoo Artist License.
• If you already hold a valid tattoo artist license, certification, or registration from a jurisdiction outside of Florida, you may apply for a Guest Tattoo Artist Registration.

Yes.  Regardless of whether you charge a fee, tattooing may only be practiced in a licensed tattoo establishment by a licensed tattoo artist.

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