How to Apply for a Massachusetts Tattoo License

Tattoo artists must be licensed with the state.

Because a tattoo parlor offers services that run the potential risk of spreading certain illnesses and causing infections, it is important that you choose one that is licensed. In Massachusetts, unless the person who does the tattooing is a medical doctor, special licensing is required. Each individual city in the state has its own process for becoming a licensed tattoo artist, though the basic steps are the same for each locality.

Instructions

1. Obtain the required forms from your county's board of health. The actual forms vary by county and must be picked up from the board of health.

2. Fill out the application completely. Information required on the application includes your name, address, business contact information and detailed information about your equipment.

3. Submit your application along with the other required documentation, including a signed acknowledgment that you have read and understood the body art regulations, a floor plan of your business drawn to scale and an exposure reporting plan.

4. Pay the annual fee for your permit. The fee is $100 per year, at the time of publication.

Tips & Warnings

• Certification is good for one year unless the board of health revokes or suspends it.

• The license cannot be transferred between people or locations. If you change locations, you will need to reapply.

• Some locations may require additional steps to acquire a permit. For instance, Cambridge requires American Academy of Micropigmentation certification.

References

• General Code: Town of Ashland, MA, Body Art
• AAA Tattoo Directory: Tattoo Regulations
• Massachusetts Health and Human Services: Body Art (Body Piercing, Tattooing and Branding/Scarification)