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Temporary Tattoo Event or Convention Checklist

Contact the Tattooing Program

*Note:This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF).  The free Adobe Readermay be required to view these files.

Promoter  Requirements/Responsibilities:

Apply for a Temporary Tattoo Establishment License and Biomedical Waste Generator Permit from the County Health Department at least 30 days prior to the event. The temporary tattoo establishment license must be displayed in a visible location during the event. If body piercing is being performed at the event, additional permits are required.

Ensure that all artists tattooing at the event are licensed tattoo artists or registered guest tattoo artists in the state of Florida; their license must be displayed in their work area.

Provide an approved water supply and waste disposal if portable sinks are used. (Only allowed at a temporary event.)

Provide handsink(s), that comply with  Rule 64E-28.007 (11), Florida Administrative Code, with unobstructed access, which shall be located within each tattoo area or centrally located within the overall workroom area, so that each tattoo artist has access to the handsink(s) for handwashing.

Ensure that there is no eating or drinking in the tattoo area during the event.

Provide event-specific customer record forms for use by each tattoo artist, which captures the following information:

  1. Name of tattoo artist.
  2. Customer’s name, age, and birthdate.
  3. Description and location of tattoo on the customer’s body.
  4. Signature of the customer.
  5. Signature of the artist.
  6. Date(s) tattooing procedure is performed.

Provide Form DH 4146 Written Notarized Consent For Tattooing of a Minor Child, Age 16 through 17 Years Old, for use by each tattoo artist intending to tattoo a minor child as specified in section 381.00787, F.S.

Maintain copies of all records (customer, employee, and minor consent forms) as defined in Rule 64E-28, Florida Administrative Code, for a minimum of 2 years after the event.

A licensed temporary establishment shall meet the operational requirements per Rule 64E-28.008 (1), Florida Administrative Code.

Artist Requirements/Responsibilities:

An active Florida Tattoo Artist License or Guest Tattoo Artist Registration  must be displayed.

Light that is at a minimum of 100 foot-candles must be provided at the work area.

If self-sterilized instruments are brought  to the event for use,provide a copy of the spore test results that has been conducted by an independent lab for the most current quarter. Each sterile package must be labeled with the date of autoclaving. 

If only individually packaged, pre-sterilized, single-use items are used,the items must be labeled with an expiration date and the method of sterilization, i.e. ethylene oxide (EO) gas or gamma radiation. Should an item not be labeled with the method of sterilization, then a document specifying the method of sterilization is acceptable.

Ensure that all customers receiving tattoos at the event complete customer records and, if applicable, minor consent forms. Provide copies of these documents to the event promoter.

All surface disinfectants must be registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a tuberculocidal disinfectant. When disinfectants are transferred to a secondary container, 1) the container must be labeled with the contents and 2) proof must be provided that the disinfectant is an EPA registered tuberculocidal surface disinfectant.

It is recommended that an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is located at the tattoo work station. When an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not available at the work area, the artist is required by law to wash their hands when changing torn, punctured, or contaminated gloves and each time the tattoo artist leaves the tattooing area during the tattoo procedure. At a temporary event, this will require the artist to leave the work area and utilize the nearest handsink. Sanitizer does not replace handwashing prior to and at the conclusion of every tattoo procedure.

Both verbal and written aftercare instructions must be provided to each customer.