Indiana Tattoo Laws

• Tattooing Laws :

  • Indiana Code16-19-3-4.1 directed the Indiana State Department of Health to adopt reasonable rules to regulate the sanitary operations of tattoo parlors in 1997. 410 IAC 1-5, established by the State Department of Health is to be followed by tattoo parlors effective since June 12, 1998.

  • Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by as well as he/she should have written permission from, a parent or legal guardian as stated in this law.

  • Tattoo artists may also have a choice of not to tattoo anybody under the age of 18, even they provide written parental permission.

  • One can check with local health department for local laws that might pertain to tattoo parlors by the state.

• Definition of Tattooing :

  As per the Indiana Code 25-1-5, tattoo means, 'any indelible design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol, or other mark placed with the aid of needles or other instruments, or any design, letter, scroll, figure, or symbol done by scarring upon the skin.'

• Tattoo Artist Training :

  Tattoo artists have to take annual training about concerning how diseases are passed on by contact with blood. Tattoo artists are not required to receive tattooing process training or certification.

• Tattoo Artist License :

  Actually the registration or licensing of tattooing process is not required by the State of Indiana, but one an confirm it from local health departments for additional requirements if found any.

• Tattoo Parlor Do's and Don'ts :

  • Client rights must be displayed at the tattoo parlor.

  • Artist when tattooing should wear gloves.

  • Use of sterile needles and tubes is must.

  • One should use separate ink and the sterilized needles for each client.

  • Availability of hand washing facilities with running water supply for the artist is must.

  • Use of appropriate disinfectants to clean surfaces where there has been or might have been blood are must.

• Infections or Risk From Tattooing :

  There is possibility of getting diseases from blood exposure during tattooing. Infections or risks are reduced if tattoo artist follow the laws and regulations.

  Up till now there has not been a documented case of HIV found from getting a tattoo, but found of getting Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C when unsterilized equipments were used for tattooing.

  Also there is possibility of other infections like blood poisoning, skin diseases and Staphylococcal infections.