Who Regulates Tattooing in Ohio?
Ohio body art is governed by state law and rules, but administered locally. In plain language: the board of health in the city or general health district where a tattoo shop is located reviews the owner’s application, inspects the facility, and issues the shop’s Approval to Operate. That approval is for one year and may be renewed.
What varies by county/city is the application packet, local fee schedule, required forms, and whether artists must hold a local registration (and what proof they want—apprenticeship documentation, BBP, CPR, First Aid, etc.).
Find your local health district here: ODH Find Local Health Districts.
Step-by-Step: Getting Legal to Tattoo in Ohio
If you are joining an existing approved studio, your “licensing” step may be primarily artist documentation, which you provide to the shop owner. The owner (or operator) typically keeps it on file and/or submits required materials to the local health district as part of the studio's compliance process.
- Identify the correct local health district. Use the ODH directory link above to determine which health district you work in.
- Determine what the district requires from individual artists. Request their current “tattoo artist” packet or checklist.
- Complete any training you still need. Keep clear copies of training certificates for your records and the shop’s file.
- Provide your documents to the shop owner/operator. Ohio requires the owner of a body art establishment to ensure that their tattoo artists receive appropriate training. Make it easy for the shop owner by having copies of all your training records ready to submit to the health department.
What Training Documentation Ohio Health Districts May Accept
Local boards of health commonly require tattoo artists to provide documentation showing they have the knowledge and training to perform body art safely.
Depending on the district, acceptable documentation may include:
- Required tattoo artist training (one or more of the following, as required by the local board of health):
- Records of completion of courses or seminars in body art offered by authorities recognized by the board of health as qualified to provide instruction; or
- Written statements of attestation by individuals offering body art apprenticeships confirming the person has received sufficient training of adequate duration to perform body art services; or
- Other documentation acceptable to the board of health.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of sterilization
- First aid and bloodborne pathogens training from qualified providers
Some health districts may also require a CPR certificate and/or identity documentation (such as a Photo ID) as part of the tattoo artist's file.
