New York Tattoo License Fast Facts
| State framework |
New York Public Health Law Article 4-A regulates body piercing and tattooing |
| Statewide artist license |
No single statewide tattoo artist license that applies uniformly across the entire state |
| New York City |
NYC requires a separate Tattoo Artist License issued by the NYC Department of Health |
| Local regulation |
Counties and local health departments often administer artist certification or permitting |
| Common requirements |
Infection control training, artist application, facility approval, and local exams in some jurisdictions |
| Best first step |
Contact the local health department for the exact city or county where you plan to work |
Step-by-Step: How to Legally Tattoo in New York
- Identify the exact jurisdiction where you plan to work. Start with the city or county, not just the state. The process in New York City is different from the process in counties such as Erie, Suffolk, or Albany.
- Check whether the jurisdiction requires an artist license, certificate, or exam.
Some health departments issue individual artist licenses or certificates, while others tie artist approval to a specific tattoo facility.
Depending on the jurisdiction, you may need to:
• Submit an artist application
• Provide identification and photographs
• Pass a written exam
• Associate your certification with a specific shop
- Complete the required infection control or bloodborne pathogens training. New York City requires a specific infection control course and exam. Other jurisdictions may require an OSHA-compliant bloodborne pathogens training course.
- Work only in an approved or licensed tattoo facility. Even where artist licensing differs, tattooing is generally expected to occur in an approved facility that meets sanitation and public-health rules.
- Confirm renewal, display, and operating requirements. Artist credentials, facility permits, and local approvals often have renewal periods, posting rules, and operating restrictions that must be maintained over time.
New York City Tattoo License
New York City operates its own tattoo artist licensing system through the NYC Department of Health.
If you plan to work in NYC, you must follow the city licensing process rather than relying on county or statewide information.
Typical requirements include:
- Completing a 3-hour Infection Control Course
- Registering for the course when submitting the license application
- Passing a written infection control exam
- Paying a $100 tattoo license fee (valid for two years)
- Paying a $26 infection control course fee
Tattoo artists cannot begin working in NYC until the license and photo ID badge are issued.
Examples of Local Jurisdictions
The following examples illustrate how tattoo requirements can vary across New York.
Erie County
Erie County requires tattoo artists to work only in a tattoo shop that currently holds an Erie County permit. Artists must hold a separate artist certificate for each shop where they work, and the certificate is not transferable between shops.
- Artist application required
- $50 annual artist fee
- County test on code requirements and hygienic practices
Suffolk County
Suffolk County uses a Body Artist Certificate system.
Typical requirements include:
- Body Artist Certificate required; certificate must be renewed every 3 years
- Attend the Department's "Body Artist Certificate Class" and pass a written exam; $90 class registration fee
- Declination of Hepatitis B Vaccine (or proof of vaccine)
- Attestation Form (if seeking a Reciprocal Certificate from an alternate jurisdiction)
- Apprentice Registration Form (if you have not been previously certified in Suffolk County or an alternate jurisdiction)
- Must work in a licensed establishment
Albany County
Albany County uses an individual artist certification system as well as a shop certification system.
- Individual tattoo artist certification application required
- $180 annual artist fee
- Two passport photographs required with the application
- Written exam required by appointment
- Shop must have a certificate of sanitation
Monroe County
Monroe County currently states that it does not require a local tattoo artist license or permit.
However, artists should still verify requirements before working, since local policies can change, and other public-health regulations may still apply.
Bloodborne Pathogens and Infection Control Training
Infection control is a core part of tattoo regulation in New York. In New York City, it is built directly into the licensing process through the required infection control course and exam.
In other jurisdictions, the exact format may vary, but tattoo artists should expect infection control, sanitation, and bloodborne pathogen prevention to be central to legal operation and professional shop standards.
Facility and Shop Requirements
In New York, artist approval and shop approval usually go together. Even where artist licensing differs, tattooing is generally expected to occur in an approved, licensed, or otherwise authorized facility.
- Some jurisdictions require a shop permit or certificate of sanitation
- Some tie the artist credential to a specific shop
- Plan review may be required for new locations
- While not a blanket statewide statutory ban, the combination of permit requirements for body art facilities, local prohibitions on non-fixed/mobile operations, zoning restrictions, and health/sanitation needs makes tattooing in private homes prohibited or effectively illegal in virtually all NY jurisdictions
Frequently Asked Questions
No. New York does not operate as a simple one-license tattoo state for artists. The practical requirements vary by jurisdiction, and New York City has its own separate tattoo artist license.
You should follow the New York City Tattoo License process. That includes applying for the license, registering for the city’s 3-hour infection control course, passing the written exam, and waiting for the city license and badge before working.
Yes. Erie, Suffolk, and Albany Counties, for example, each have their own approaches to artist credentials, facility approval, exams, and fees. Monroe County currently says it does not require a local tattoo or body art permit.
No. New York tattoo regulation can change significantly by jurisdiction. Always verify the exact city or county requirements before you begin tattooing.
Take Bloodborne Pathogens Training
New York tattoo regulation is highly jurisdiction-specific. Before you work, make sure you understand the exact training requirements for the city or county where you plan to tattoo. Bloodborne pathogens training may not be required, but taking it helps you protect yourself and your clients from infection, disease, and allergic reactions.
Get Bloodborne Pathogens Training
Disclaimer
This page is a general educational summary, not legal advice. New York tattoo requirements can change, and local jurisdictions may update their own rules, fees, forms, exams, or enforcement practices. Always confirm current requirements directly with the New York City Department of Health or the local county or city health department where you plan to work before relying on any summary page.
