Tattoo License Frequently Asked Questions

• Complete an Application for Tattoo Artist License 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, $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 county health department, in the county you reside. It is also recommended that you ask the county health department if there are any additional local fees for a license.

To reactivate a tattoo artist license, complete an Application for Tattoo Artist License and submit it, along with $85 (the $60 license fee and $25 reactivation fee), to the county health department in the county you reside.

Check “Renewal” at the top of the application.

Applications are processed in accordance with Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, which allows the Florida Department of Health 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, however contact your local county health department for additional information.

• View Department approved providers for the bloodborne pathogen training. Be sure that you completed a course specific to Florida’s requirements found in Rule 64E-28.006, F.A.C.

No. An apprenticeship is not required in the state of Florida to apply for a tattoo artist license.

Yes. You must list the tattoo establishment that you will work at or intend to work at on the application for tattoo artist license before it can be processed.

To obtain a copy of the tattoo artist license, contact the county health department in the county you reside.

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.
• 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.
• Parent or legal guardian submits a written notarized consent form.
• Parent or legal guardian submits proof that he or she is the parent or legal guardian of the minor child.

Licenses fees can be processed online, but you must also submit a completed Application for Tattoo Artist License to the county health department. Licenses will not be issued without receiving both payment and application.

No. All applications must be submitted by email, fax, or mail.

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, 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.

If the curriculum includes tattooing on a live human, a license is required. A tattoo artist or guest tattoo artist license is required for each teacher and student that will be practicing on a human.

Schools must also be registered with the Florida Department of Education.

Rule 64E-28.006, Florida Administrative Code, explains the requirements for obtaining course approval.

The certificate you receive after completing a bloodborne pathogen and communicable disease course does not expire. You are not required to renew this training.

Cosmetic tattooing and microblading is considered as a form of tattooing in Florida.

A tattoo artist license is required for any person who plans to practice microblading or permanent cosmetics in Florida.

A person that tattoos the body of any human is required to obtain a tattoo artist license, the exception to this is a person licensed to practice medicine or dentistry under chapters 458, 459, or 466, Florida Statutes, who performs tattooing exclusively for medical or dental purposes.

A person that tattoos the body of any human is required to obtain a tattoo artist license, the exception to this is a person licensed to practice medicine or dentistry under chapters 458, 459, or 466, Florida Statutes, who performs tattooing exclusively for medical or dental purposes.

No. A tattoo establishment license is not transferrable from one location to another.

If the tattoo establishment relocates, a new license must be issued before practicing tattooing at the new location.

No. All applications must be submitted by email, fax, or mail.

No. A tattoo establishment license is not transferrable from one person to another.

If the tattoo establishment changes ownership, a new license must be issued before practicing tattooing.

To obtain a copy of the tattoo establishment license, contact the county health department in the county the business is located in.

Florida does not have a mobile tattoo license. All tattooing must occur in a licensed fixed or temporary tattoo establishment.

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.

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), Florida Administrative Code,, as incapable of being moved. If you are able to meet this requirement, you may be able to receive a license.

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.

Rule 64E-28.007, Florida Administrative Code, does not allow the usage of portable sinks at a fixed location. Portable sinks are only allowed at temporary tattoo events, such as a tattoo convention.