The Drugs and Medical Devices Unit is responsible for ensuring tattoo and body piercing studios, including temporary locations, comply with minimum licensing standards established to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Texas. To accomplish this objective, inspections of studios and temporary locations are conducted. If voluntary compliance with the licensing standards cannot be achieved, the Unit recommends regulatory actions when necessary. In addition, the Unit provides technical assistance to its licensees, answers inquiries from consumers and investigates complaints involving possible violations of the state requirements for operating tattoo and body piercing studios.

Licensing

We require any business engaged in tattooing (for example, the practice of producing an indelible mark or figure on the human body by scarring or inserting pigments under the skin using needles, scalpels or other related equipment) or body piercing (for example, the practice of creating an opening in a person's body, other than the earlobe, to insert jewelry or another decoration) to be licensed with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). In addition, we require temporary locations at which tattooing or body piercing is performed for not more than seven days in conjunction with a single event or celebration to be licensed with the Department. To learn more on how to become licensed, visit the licensing requirements webpage.

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Contact Information

For General Program Assistance

Email: Tattoo and Body Piercing Unit Complaints
Phone: 512-834-6755
Fax: 512-206-2777

For Licensing Assistance

Email: Environmental & Sanitation Licensing Branch
Phone: 512-834-6600
Fax: 512-206-3782

Mailing addresses may be found on the contact page.