How to Become a Licensed Tattoo Artist in Massachusetts

The art of tattooing has gained significant popularity, and for those passionate about body art, a career as a licensed tattoo artist can be both fulfilling and rewarding. In Massachusetts, practicing as a tattoo artist requires obtaining a Body Art Practitioner permit from your local Board of Health.  However, most areas in Massachusetts follow similar guidelines for issuing these permits. This article will provide an overview of the common requirements and steps involved in getting licensed, including training, health regulations, and safety protocols. Be sure to check with your local health department for specific details and accepted certifications as you begin your journey toward becoming a licensed tattoo artist in Massachusetts. Contact your local health department to find out which trainings they accept and what other requirements they have.

Applying for Your Artist License: What You Need to Know

Getting your Artist License is crucial for starting your journey as a tattoo artist. Get ready to kickstart your tattooing career with confidence and compliance!
Here’s what you need to include in your application:

Bloodborne Pathogen Training: Show proof of attending a Bloodborne Pathogen Training Program approved by your local Board of Health. The training should cover essential topics like:

1. 1. Anatomy: Understand the human body’s structure to ensure safe tattooing practices.
   2. Skin Health: Learn about skin diseases, disorders, and conditions like diabetes that could impact tattooing.
   3. Infection Control: Master techniques for waste disposal, hand hygiene, equipment sterilization, and facility sanitation to maintain a clean and safe environment.
   4. Safety Measures: Ensure your studio follows proper safety and sanitation protocols to protect both clients and artists.

CPR Training: In a typical CPR course, you will learn how to provide CPR to an adult, child, and infant. The activity takes place in a classroom setting with a mannequin. You will also learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

First Aid Training: This course dives into the fundamental concepts of emergency care vital for any tattoo artist’s toolkit. Upon completion you would receive a certificate, validating proficiency in handling emergencies effectively. Key topics include:

1. managing shock, fainting, seizures, and uncontrolled bleeding; 
2. mastering wound dressing and bandaging techniques; 
3. infection prevention and care; 
4. safe protocols for transporting injured individuals; 
5. and essential emergency contact numbers for paramedics, police, and fire services.

Step-wise process to become a Licensed Tattoo Artist in Boston, Massachusetts 

To protect the health of artist and clients, businesses that tattoo, pierce, and perform other body art must get an establishment permit from BPHC. This includes visiting businesses. Individuals performing body art in Boston need a practitioner license from BPHC. Practitioner licenses are required for permanent or temporary artists, such as visiting artists or artists providing body art at a convention.

1. A college-level anatomy and physiology course (or its equivalent)

An Anatomy and Physiology course or other relevant courses deemed acceptable to the Commission incorporating a general explanation of principals of Human Anatomy and Physiology. A general explanation of the skin system and symptoms of any skin disease potentially caused through Body Art activity.

2. Complete a Bloodborne Pathogen Course

Take an approved Bloodborne Pathogen Course from the Department of Public Health. The state accepts online training courses for Bloodborne Pathogens and Disease Transmission Prevention from American Red Cross

3. Complete a First Aid Training Course

Take an approved First Aid Training Course from the Department of Public Health. You can take American Red Cross – First Aid Course.

4. Complete a CPR Training Course

Take an approved CPR Training Course from the Department of Public Health. You can take American Red Cross – CPR Course

5. Any of the following may be used to document satisfactory evidence of actual experience in the Tattoo Art for which the applicant seeks a license to perform:

a) Copies of license(s) issued by another state or city/town in another state showing the applicant has been licensed and practiced in that state for at least one year. 

b) Copies of license(s) issued by another city/town within Massachusetts showing the applicant has been licensed and practiced for at least one year.
c) Copies of license(s) issued in another country showing the applicant has been licensed and practiced for at least one year.

 d) Signed letter from a Boston-licensed body art practitioner or a practitioner licensed elsewhere in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (including a copy of that artist’s license) stating that the applicant has satisfactorily completed an apprenticeship equivalent to at least one year of full time employment (1,800 hours) or longer in a permitted Body Art Establishment including observation of work being performed and supervised practice on at least 100 clients. This letter must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant’s previous BPHC body art apprentice license if the apprenticeship was served in Boston.

1. Fill out the Tattoo Artist License Application

Print and fill out the Tattoo Artist License application form. Make sure to include the name of the licensed tattoo shop where you work as your primary facility. The Commission also authorizes a Body Art Practitioner Apprenticeship license.

1. Training Course Certificates/Cards: 

Provide your CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens Training Certificates/Cards. All training cards must have clear expiration dates.

1. Provide a Copy of a State IDAttach a copy of your state ID that has your name, your birth date, and an expiration date to your application.

1. Pay the fees applicable

    

   Body Art Practitioner License Fee Payments must be made by Check or Money Order, made payable to Boston Public Health Commission.
   

Temporary (convention or visiting artist) – $75

Annual – $100

Apprentice – $100

1. Submit your Application form
   
   Please mail your Applications to:

1 City Hall Square, 

Suite 500 Boston,

MA 2201-2013

You will receive your active registration within 8-10 days of submitting your application. 

Getting a Temporary License

The Commission may issue a thirty (30) day temporary license to an individual holding a license or similar certificate or registration to engage in the practice of tattooing and/or body piercing issued under the jurisdiction of another city, county, or state of the United States. Such temporary license will allow a person to practice tattooing and/or body piercing in the City of Boston under the direct supervision of a body art practitioner holding a valid Body Art Practitioner license issued by the Commission. 

The issuance of Guest Body Art Practitioner license is conditioned upon the applicant demonstrating the following:

(a) The applicant has received training equivalent to the minimum training requirement set by this Body Art Regulation;

(b) The applicant shall provide a letter of consent signed by a Commission licensed body art practitioner, a notarized copy of the Body Art Practitioner license, a notarized copy of the Body Art Facility permit where the applicant will practice any body art practices;

(c) An application fee paid to the Commission at the amount set by the Commission. No visiting body art practitioner shall practice body art in the City of Boston without a Guest Practitioner license issued by the Commission. Any body art practitioner licensed by the Commission requesting to have a visiting body art practitioner perform under his/her supervision shall:

(a) Notify the Commission in writing ten (10) days in advance of the proposed effective date of the requested Guest Practitioner license;
(b) Require that the visiting practitioner obtain a Guest Practitioner license from the Commission.

Keeping Your Artist Permit Up-to-Date: Understanding Validity and Renewal

A Body Art Practitioner license shall be valid for no more than two years. The

Commission may renew a Body Art Practitioner license under this Body Art Regulation and each applicant for such renewal shall pay to the Commission a renewal fee as determined by the Commission.

Start Your Tattoo Career Today!

Don’t Wait to Ink Your Dreams! Get yourself registered as a Licensed Tattoo Artist in Massachusetts Today. Follow These Steps to Dive into the Thrilling World of Tattooing. Grab Your Artist Permit and Unleash Your Talent with Confidence!

To learn more about legislation relating to tattooing or a tattoo apprenticeship in Massachusetts, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website.