Iowa Tattoo Laws

Division of Family & Community Health
Bureau of Disease Prevention

Iowa Tattoo Permit Program

According to Iowa Code Section 139.43 the 1989 General Assembly enacted legislation for the tattoo permit and operational requirements, establishments and tattoo artists. There are administrative rules to implement this statute were actually effective since January 1990 and provide for an application, fee, and inspection process.

Tattoo artists have to take a permit from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Establishments are generally inspected for use of sterile needles and other appliances. Also this law prohibits tattooing of minors that is the person who is under the age of 18.

Tattoo Artist Laws and Information

• Legal Authority

  Code of Iowa, Chapter 135.37; Iowa Administrative Code 641, Chapter 22

• Job Description

  A tattoo artist examines a client's skin surface to be tattooed for any evidence of skin infection and prepare that area to tattoo, by applying the antiseptic approved by the Department of Public Health, using sterile cotton or gauze. Also apply sterile dressing after the tattooing is complete to the tattooed area.

  A tattoo artist should provide the client with instructions for tattoo care in the printed form during the healing process, as well tell the client to consult his/her physician if any of the infectious signs and symptoms develop. On the same time the tattoo artist must have to verify that client is not a minor that is not below 18 years age.

• Education and Experience Requirements

  Any particular education and experience is not at all needed by the applicant for tattooing. There is no need to continue education to renew the license for tattooing.

  But one thing is very sure it is not at all allowed to an applicant, to own, to control or to lease as well as to act as an agent for or conduct and manage, operate an establishment to practice tattooing or engage in the practice of tattooing before applying for and receiving a permit from the Department of Public Health. There are no any examinations required to get tattoo license and practice it.

• Fees and Duration

  • It requires application fees of $40.00.

  • It requires renewal fees of $40.00.

  • A permits expire each year on December 31, whatever may be the date of issue.

  • Fees are prorated to the total of the months remained in the current year and also include the month in which the application received by the Department of Public Health.

  • One important thing is that these permits are not at all transferable and they are valid for no longer than a 12 months of the year.

• OES Code is 69999 and title is 'All Other Service Workers'.

• The Number of Licenses Issued
  In 1997 - 115 Licenses
  In 1996 - 83 Licenses