Which BBP course do I actually need?
Choosing the wrong course can waste time and money. This one-page guide will help you select the correct bloodborne pathogens course in about a minute.
Step 1: Start with Nationwide
Our Nationwide course ($30) is OSHA-compliant and is accepted in the large majority of states. Unless your state appears in the table below, the Nationwide course is almost always the right choice.
Step 2: Check if your state has its own course
A small number of states have approved courses developed to meet their specific requirements. If you're in one of these states, take that course instead of Nationwide:
| Where you work |
Take this course |
Price |
| California (all counties except Los Angeles) |
California course |
$25 |
| Los Angeles County |
Los Angeles course |
$25 |
| Florida |
Florida course |
$45 |
| Minnesota |
Minnesota course |
$35 |
| Everywhere else |
Nationwide course |
$30 |
Don't see your state listed above? That means Nationwide is the one to take — with three exceptions below.
Heads up if you work in Michigan, Tennessee, or Vermont: our online, 2-hour Nationwide course will not be accepted in these three states. Michigan requires site-specific training, Tennessee only accepts training from a local health department or the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, and Vermont requires a minimum 3-hour course.
One more thing to watch for: some states don't have a statewide BBP requirement, but some counties or cities do. If your state isn't in the table above, visit our Course Approvals page for state and local BBP training requirements.
Step 3: Working conventions or more than one state?
If you travel for conventions or work in multiple states, the Nationwide course is built for this. It's accepted by 28 states and by local health departments in 10 additional states, which is why artists on the convention circuit often keep a Nationwide certificate.
If a specific state requires its own course, like California, Florida, or Minnesota, take that course also.
A quick note: Bloodborne pathogens training requirements are set by state and local health departments and can change. This guide reflects current course approvals as of June 27, 2026. For official, current requirements, check with your local enforcement agency.
Courses available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
