Wisconsin Tattoo License Fast Facts
Licensing authority:
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Body Art Establishment licensing:
County health department or DSPS, depending on county status
License name:
Tattooist practitioner license
Tattoo artist License requirements:
No exam requirements
No apprenticeship requirements
Bloodborne pathogens (BBP)training:
BBP training is not required by DSPS
Tattoo License fee:
$60 annual fee
Tattoo Artist License term:
Expires June 30 each year
Shop permit required:
A separate establishment license is required
Always check state and local requirements for getting a tattoo license.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a Tattoo License in Wisconsin
1
Understand Wisconsin’s two-part licensing structure
Wisconsin regulates both the individual artist and the place where tattooing occurs. That means you need a practitioner license, and the shop where you work must also be licensed as a tattoo or tattoo/body piercing establishment.
2
Apply for your Wisconsin tattooist license
Wisconsin directs initial applicants to apply online through the LicensE portal. This is the state practitioner license for the individual tattoo artist.
3
Pay the required fee and monitor your application
DSPS lists a $60 annual fee for tattooists. Keep copies of your application materials and monitor your status through the state licensing system.
4
Work only in a licensed establishment
Wisconsin requires tattooing and body piercing activities to occur in a licensed establishment. Holding your own practitioner license is not enough if the shop itself is not properly licensed.
5
Confirm who licenses the shop in your county
Wisconsin establishment licensing is not always handled the same way statewide. In some counties, a delegated local health department handles licensing and inspections. In counties that are not delegated body art agents, the establishment application goes through DSPS.
6
Follow sanitation, consent, and minor restrictions
Wisconsin shops must meet sanitation and operational requirements. Artists should also understand state consent and recordkeeping rules, including the rule that tattooing minors is generally prohibited.
7
Renew your license on time each year
Wisconsin tattooist licenses expire on June 30 each year. If your credential is issued after April 1 of a license year, it extends to June 30 of the following year.
Bloodborne Pathogens Training for Wisconsin Tattoo Artists
Wisconsin’s practitioner license page does not list a separate statewide bloodborne pathogens certificate as a required item for tattooist licensure. Even so, bloodborne pathogens training is still strongly recommended for tattoo artists because tattooing involves contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)
If you are an employee, OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard applies to employees with occupational exposure. That means your employer must provide bloodborne pathogens training at the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter.
Even when a state license application does not specifically require a BBP certificate, BBP training is essential for protecting yourself and your clients from infection and disease.
Practical takeaway: Get bloodborne pathogens training.
Tattoo Shop Licenses in Wisconsin
Wisconsin requires a separate license for any premises where tattooing is performed. Establishment licensing may be handled by a delegated county health department or directly through DSPS if the county is not a delegated body art agent.
What shops should expect
- The establishment must be licensed before operating.
- The shop will need to follow Wisconsin sanitation and operational requirements.
- A pre-licensing inspection may be required before approval.
- The establishment renewal fee listed by DSPS is $220 annually.
- Temporary events may involve separate rules and approvals.
Why this matters
Wisconsin does not treat artist licensing and shop licensing as the same thing. Artists should make sure the studio where they plan to work is actually licensed and inspected through the proper state or delegated local process.
Average Tattoo Artist Income in Wisconsin
A current salary estimate places the average tattoo artist salary in Wisconsin at about $54,209 per year, although actual earnings can vary widely based on experience, clientele, location, commission split, booking strength, and whether the artist owns the studio.
Tattoo income figures should be treated as estimates rather than exact statewide labor statistics. New artists may earn less while building a book of business, while established artists and shop owners may earn substantially more.
FAQ
Do tattoo artists need a license in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin requires a practitioner license for a person who applies a tattoo to another person.
Do tattoo shops need their own license in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin requires a separate establishment license for the premises where tattooing takes place.
Does Wisconsin require a state tattoo exam?
Wisconsin’s tattooist license page does not list a state written or practical exam as part of the tattooist application process.
Does Wisconsin require bloodborne pathogens training?
The Wisconsin practitioner license page does not clearly list a statewide BBP certificate requirement for tattooist licensure. However, BBP training is strongly recommended, and OSHA requires training for employees with occupational exposure.
Can I tattoo in Wisconsin from my home or another unlicensed location?
Tattooing must occur in a licensed establishment. Do not assume you can legally work from an unlicensed home, private room, or temporary location without proper approval.
When do Wisconsin tattoo licenses expire?
Wisconsin tattooist licenses expire each year on June 30.
Have you taken bloodborne pathogens training?
Our bloodborne pathogens courses deliver:
• Practical, real-world training
• Coaching that builds careful, consistent habits
• Clear explanations of safety regulations
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This guide is a plain-language summary to help new artists understand the process. It is not legal advice. Wisconsin requirements can change, and establishment licensing may be handled by a delegated local health department or by the state depending on the county. Always confirm current requirements directly with Wisconsin DSPS and the local licensing authority where you plan to work before relying on any summary page.
