Body Art

Our Body Art Program permits and inspects body art studios. We also offer the Body Artist Certification Exam. The term “body art” refers to tattooing, piercing and microblading.

This page covers:

For body art clients
For body art studios
For body artists
For temporary studios & guest (out-of-state) artists
For more information

For body art clients

Before obtaining a body art service, be sure to check near the studio entrance for the studio’s permit, the certification for each artist, and our recent inspection report. Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides this information on body art risks.

For body art studios

To open or make structural changes to a body art studio, you must submit apply for a permit prior to the start of construction.

First, you should review the Body Art Studio Plan Review Checklist. Next, submit the Body Art Studio Application. The application should be sent by email to DeKalb.eh@dph.ga.gov with the subject line: Body Art.

Once the studio is open, you must display:

• The studio’s permit
• Each artist’s certification
• Our most recent inspection report
• The sign about tattoos and military service

You must keep a file on each artist and client. The studio will be inspected twice a year.

For all of the requirements, visit Georgia Department of Public Health’s Rules and Regulations for Body Art.

For body artists

To schedule an appointment to take the Body Artist Certification Exam, send an email to DeKalb.eh@dph.ga.gov with the subject line: Body Art. After attending training and passing the exam, you’ll receive a certification application.

The studio where you will be working must offer you the Hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost to you.

For all of the requirements, visit Georgia Department of Public Health’s Rules and Regulations for Body Art.

For temporary studios & guest (out-of-state) artists

To operate a temporary studio outside of your permitted location, you must apply for a temporary permit. Click here for the Temporary Body Art Studio Application.

To practice at a temporary studio, you must apply for a permit using the Temporary Artist Application.

If you want to temporarily practice in Georgia as a guest (out-of-state) artist, you must apply for a permit using the Guest Artist Application. You must also submit a Guest Artist Supervisor Letter.

For all of the requirements, visit Georgia Department of Public Health’s Rules and Regulations for Body Art.