Your Business Journey Starts Here
Regulatory Roadmap: Tattoos/Body Art
Explore the roadmap to success with our comprehensive guide to building and growing your tattoo, body art, body piercing, or permanent cosmetic business in Washington state.
Plan to Succeed
Formulate a strong business plan.
Location Matters
Evaluate potential locations.
Get Licensed
Register and apply for licenses.
Improvements
Develop your floor plan and get your permits in order.
Final Prep
Last steps toward opening your doors.
You’re in Business
What to expect in your first year.
Opening a Tattoo Studio?
If you’re considering starting a business that involves tattooing or other types of body art, you will want to follow the steps of this regulatory roadmap to ensure your experience is free from any surprises. This roadmap identifies all of the necessary professional components to launch your operations.
Use the map below to navigate the permitting and licensing steps.
Step 1: Plan to Succeed
Formulate a strong business plan.
- Concept
- Business Structure & Name
- Marketing
- Financing
- Consider Hiring Expertise
Step 2: Location Matters
Evaluate potential locations.
- Land use, zoning & Occupancy
- Building Improvements
- Parking
- Consider Hiring Expertise
Step 3: Get Licensed
Register and apply for licenses.
- Register Business Structure
- City and State Business Licenses
- Specialty Licenses (see more below)
- Federal Identification
- Consider Hiring Expertise
Step 4: Improvements
Develop your floor plan and get your permits in order.
- Health Department Review
- Land Use & Zoning Permits
- Construction & Trade Permits
- Consider Hiring Expertise
Step 5: Final Prep
Last steps toward opening your doors.
- Hire & Train Employees
- Final Inspections & Approvals
Step 6: You're in Business
What to expect in your first year.
- Employer Reporting
- Business & Employment Taxes
- License & Permit Renewals
- Planned & Unannounced Inspections
Get Licensed
If you plan to open a tattoo studio or even work out of a studio in Washington State, you will need to be licensed.
Who needs a license?
Anyone who charges a fee to provide one of the services listed below needs a license. The license you need depends on the service(s) you provide.
- If you implant pigment into the skin using a needle or other instrument, you need a tattoo artist license
- If you penetrate the skin or mucous membrane to insert an object, such as jewelry, for cosmetic purposes, you need a body piercing artist license – This doesn’t include stud-and-clasp ear piercing or health-related procedures performed by a licensed health care worker
- If you intentionally produce scars on the body through branding or scarification, you need a body art artist license
- If you apply permanent eyeliner, eyebrows, lip liner, lip color, or re-pigmentation by implanting pigment under the skin, you need a permanent cosmetic artist license
How to apply for your license
Follow the steps below to get your tattoo, body piercing, body art, or permanent cosmetic artist license.
1. Meet the requirements
To get an artist license, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a current and active bloodborne pathogens certificate (Red Cross: $35)
2. Submit your application
To submit online, you must first create a SAW (Secure Access Washington) account. This account is necessary to apply for your license through the State of Washington.
Your license is valid for one year after it has been issued.
Licensing Fees
An artist license is not the same as a shop license. A shop license is different than a business license. If you are planning to open a tattoo studio you will need no less than 3-4 separate licenses in order to legally do so:
- Artist license (endorsement)
- Shop license
- Business license (State and Local endorsement)
Fee 1: Tattoos, body piercing, body art, and permanent cosmetics
Get your first artist license (good for one year) $275
Renew your license: must be renewed within 1 year of issued date – $275 ($385 if late)
Fee 2: Artist shop, mobile unit, and event license fee
Your artist license (endorsement) is what allows you to be a licensed artist in the state of Washington, but it is not the only license you will need. Regardless of if you are opening your own a studio or simply working out of another studio, you will also need a State of Washington business license.
Fee 3: State business license
A basic Washington Business License application costs $90 for a new or reopening business.
Essential Resources
Key Features for Business Builders
Location-specific information to help you start your business.
King County
Pierce County
Thurston County
Take the Next Step
Ready to build your business in Washington state? Sign up for our resources or contact us today to get personalized assistance and start your journey to success.