Licensing - Tattoo and Body Piercing Studios

Tattoos 

Tattoos are applied using a small electric device that operates like a sewing machine. One to fourteen needles are grouped together and attached to the end of a rod called a needle bar. The other end of the needle bar is attached to the tattoo machine. 

After preparing the skin with a germicidal soap, the artist dips the needles into a small amount of pigment or ink. As the machine is guided over the skin, the needle bar moves up and down allowing the needles to puncture the skin, depositing the ink. The artist is required to provide the customer with oral and written instructions on how to care for a newly applied tattoo. 

Tattooing Services 

We require any business in 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 to license with the Department of State Health Services.  

This includes studios that perform traditional tattooing, permanent cosmetics, microblading and scarification. An artist may not tattoo a person younger than 18 without meeting the requirements of 25 Texas Administrative Code, §229.406(c), whose parent or guardian determines it to be in the best interest of the minor child to cover an existing tattoo. 

We require any business in 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 to license with the Department of State Health Services.  

This includes studios that perform traditional tattooing, permanent cosmetics, microblading and scarification. An artist may not tattoo a person younger than 18 without meeting the requirements of 25 Texas Administrative Code, §229.406(c), whose parent or guardian determines it to be in the best interest of the minor child to cover an existing tattoo. 

Intradermal Cosmetics Services 

Some studios use traditional tattoo equipment, while others use devices that work on the same principle but are smaller and look like pens. Generally, the components of the pen-type machine come pre-sterilized from the manufacturer and are disposable (one-time use) items. 

We require any business in the practice of creating an opening in a person's body, other than the earlobe, to insert jewelry or another decoration to license with the Department of State Health Services. This also includes studios that perform implants.  

An artist may not perform body piercing on a person younger than 18 without the consent of a parent, managing conservator, or guardian and meeting the requirements of 25 Texas Administrative Code, §229.406(d). 

Body Piercing Services 

Body piercing can be done by one of two methods: 

• The minor brings a notarized consent to the studio that contains the name, address and phone number of the minor and parent, managing conservator or guardian; the location of the body that may be pierced; and signatures of the minor and the parent, managing conservator or guardian. 

• The adult is present at the studio during the piercing and signs statements swearing they are the parent, managing conservator or guardian; the adult has the authority to consent to the procedure; the adult has provided valid government issued identification of the minor and of themselves to the studio; and the adult will remain at the studio while the procedure is performed. In this case, the adult must also present identification and evidence to the studio they are the parent, managing conservator or guardian. 

The Environmental Operations Branch is responsible for conducting on-site inspections of tattoo and body piercing studios. During these inspections, we ensure the studios comply with state and local laws and regulations. Some cities in Texas have local ordinances or zoning restrictions that are more stringent or ban tattooing and body piercing altogether. If a studio is located within a city limits, zoning approval documentation must be obtained from the city and must be submitted along with a license application 

We assure: 

• The building is well maintained and clean. 

• The artist practices universal precautions to prevent the spread of infection, such as: 

  • Washes hands with a germicidal soap. 

  • Wear clean clothing and single-use gloves. 

  • Uses personal protective equipment. 

  • Uses instruments that are either disposable or are routinely sterilized. 

  • Follows proper handling and disposal of waste. 

• There are sterilization records showing routine sterilization practices. 

• The artist prohibits the tattooing or body piercing of minors (unless above mentioned conditions are met). 

• The artist prohibits the tattooing or body piercing of people under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

• The tattooist maintains records for each person receiving a tattoo or body piercing. 

• The tattooist reports any infection or adverse reaction to the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

An online search is now available for the following license types: 

• Tattoo Studio 

• Body Piercing Studio 

You don't have to log in to use the search tool. From the online license services homepage, click License Search. 

You can search for a license by any one of the following ways: 

• Search by Owner Name. 

• Search by Owner Name for a Specified License Type. 

• Search by License Number (Seven-Digit State License Number). 

• Search by City for a Specified License Type. 

• Search by County for a Specified License Type. 

• Search by business NAME for a Specified License Type 

Begin Your Public License Search Here 

To request verification, you must provide: 

• The license number of the firm. 

• The return address. Without this, the license verification will be returned to the address on the original envelope or letterhead, or to the address of the firm listed on the form. 

• Complete only those parts of a license verification form that must be filled in by the applicant. Do not fill out any part of the form that is required to be completed by the agency. 

• A letter of good standing can be provided if the requesting state does not include a blank affidavit form.