Nebraska Tattoo License Fast Facts
| Licensing authority |
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Licensure Unit |
| License name |
Tattoo Artist license; Body Art Facility license |
| Individual tattoo artist license required? |
Yes |
| Facility/shop license required? |
Yes |
| Bloodborne pathogens training required? |
Yes, for initial licensure and continuing competency |
| Apprenticeship required? |
No separate statewide apprenticeship license is listed in Nebraska's body art licensing materials |
| Inspection required? |
Yes, facilities complete a self-inspection and are subject to state inspection; local inspection rules may also apply |
| Renewal requirement |
Licenses expire March 31 of odd-numbered years; artists must complete 2 hours of bloodborne pathogens training during the 24 months before renewal |
| Main official website |
Nebraska DHHS Body Art Profession |
Nebraska's rules also note that several cities and counties require their own license or business approval, so state licensure is not always the only step.
Official Licensing Authority
In Nebraska, tattooing falls under the state's body art licensing system. The main state agency is the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Licensure Unit, which handles body artist and body art facility licensing.
Nebraska's body art regulations cover tattooing, body piercing, branding, and permanent color technology. State rules require artists to hold the correct Nebraska license and to practice in a Nebraska-licensed body art facility.
Local regulation can also matter. For example, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department requires both establishment and practitioner permits in its jurisdiction, along with inspections and a written exam for practitioners. That means some artists may need to satisfy both state and local requirements.
State authority
Nebraska DHHS Licensure Unit
Phone: (402) 471-2117
Website: https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Body-Art-Profession.aspx
Example local authority
Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
Phone: 402-441-6280
Website: https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Health-Department/Environmental/Body-Art
Step-by-Step: How to Work Legally as a Tattoo Artist in Nebraska
1
Meet the state eligibility requirements
For initial licensure, Nebraska requires applicants to be at least 18 years old, provide citizenship or lawful presence documentation, conviction records (if you have convictions), and submit proof of a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
2
Complete required training
To qualify for licensure, you must have completed at least 4 hours of bloodborne pathogens and first aid training within 3 years immediately before your application. The 4-hour total must include at least 2 hours of bloodborne pathogens training.
3
Pass the Nebraska jurisprudence examination
Applicants must pass the Nebraska jurisprudence exam with a score of at least 75%. This exam focuses on Nebraska's body art statutes and regulations.
4
Make sure the shop is properly licensed
In Nebraska, a tattoo artist must practice in a Nebraska-licensed body art facility. If you own or open the shop, the facility needs its own application, self-inspection paperwork, and compliance with physical, sanitation, and recordkeeping rules.
5
Check local city or county requirements
Nebraska DHHS specifically states that several cities and counties require a license to practice or operate a business. If you plan to work in Lancaster County, for example, the state application materials say you must also be licensed by the local health department there.
Carefully review your application. Submit the application with the required documents and fee.
The fee may be waived if you are:
- between the ages of 18 and 25
- a low-income individual
- a military family member
If you are a military spouse, you may be eligible to apply for a temporary license.
7
Renew on time and keep up with continuing competency
Nebraska body art licenses expire on March 31 of each odd-numbered year. Before renewal, body artists must complete at least 2 hours of bloodborne pathogens training.
Cost and Timeline
Typical state fees
- Tattoo Artist initial license: $95
- Tattoo Artist renewal: $118
Timeline
The exact timeline for issuing a tattoo artist license can vary depending on how quickly you submit complete documents, pass the jurisprudence exam, finish training, and satisfy any local requirements.
Local license fees and timing may be different. Always confirm city or county fees separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Nebraska requires an individual state body art license for tattooing, and tattooing must be performed in a Nebraska-licensed body art facility.
Yes. Nebraska requires a separate tattoo artist license. The state application process includes age, education, training, and jurisprudence exam requirements.
Yes. Nebraska licenses body art facilities and requires application paperwork, self-inspection, and compliance with sanitation and operational rules.
A casual home setup is not enough. Any place used for tattooing must meet state facility licensing and sanitation standards, and local zoning or permit rules may add more requirements.
Yes. Nebraska requires bloodborne pathogens training for initial licensure, and body artists must complete at least 2 hours of bloodborne pathogens training during the 24 months before renewal.
Nebraska's statewide body art licensing materials do not list a separate tattoo apprenticeship license requirement. Even so, artists should still get solid hands-on training and verify any shop-level or local expectations.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Licensure Unit regulates body art at the state level. Some local jurisdictions also regulate practitioners and facilities.
Confirm that your Nebraska tattoo license is active, that the shop's body art facility license is current, that local permits are not required, and that the facility follows sanitation and recordkeeping rules.
Final Takeaway
Nebraska artists should verify both state and local requirements before working, opening a shop, or offering tattoo services. Nebraska requires a state tattoo artist license and a licensed body art facility, and some local jurisdictions add their own permits on top of that.
The best path is simple: get your state license in order, confirm the shop is properly licensed, check local rules, and keep your training and sanitation standards current.
Disclaimer: This guide is a plain-language summary to help new artists understand the process. It is not legal advice. Always review the current state and local regulations and check with your local health department for exact requirements where you plan to work.
