Tattooist and Body Piercer

License Information

Per Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 221.04, all tattooing and body piercing activities must occur in a licensed establishment.  In addition, all tattooists and body piercers must also hold a practitioner's license.

Temporary Body Art Establishments - please view Tattooing and Body Piercing at Festivals and Other Events for important information.

What Counts as Tattooing or Body Piercing?

  • Tattoo means to insert pigment under the surface of the skin of a person, by pricking with a needle or otherwise, to produce an indelible mark or figure through the skin.
  • Body Piercing means perforating any human body part or tissue, except an ear, and to place a foreign object in the perforation to prevent the perforation from closing.
  • Ear Piercing is exempt from the licensing requirements.  All parts of the ear are included in this exception.

A License is required for a person who applies a tattoo to another person, and/or a person who performs body piercing.

Each license issued by the Department expires June 30th of each year.

If a license is granted after April 1 of a license year, that license will extend to June 30 of the following year.

Variance Request

If you are requesting a variance, please complete this form, Body Art Variance Petition Application (Form # 1000-IS), and return it to either your local Health Department or DSPS as applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tattooing and Body Piercing Frequently Asked Questions

Body Art ​Agent Map


Application for Licensure

FormDescription
3173Credentialing Information for Tattooist/Body Piercer Applicants​
3217​Application for Fee Reduction (If applying for a fee reduction, this form must accompany application.)

Renewal Information

Requirement(s)

  • FEE (See Renewal Dates and Fees)

Important Notice: Please check the DSPS Tattooing and Body Piercing Rules and Statutes for the latest changes. 

Renewal Method​

FormDescription
RDAF​Renewal Dates and Fees