License Information

Tattoo/Body Piercing Establishment Permit

• A license is required to operate any premises where a tattooist applies a tattoo to another person, or premises where a body piercer performs body piercing, or both.
• Each license issued by the Department expires June 30th of each year.
• If a license is granted after April 1st of a license year, that license will extend to June 30th of the following year.

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

Whom Should I Contact to Obtain a License?

Establishment licenses are issued by the county Health Department or DSPS if the county Health Department does not perform inspections. Contact numbers for county Health Departments which perform inspections can be found on Office Numbers.  If your county does not perform body art establishment inspections, please contact DSPS at (608) 266-2112.

License Application Process

1. Review the Body Art Agent & Non Agent List.  If your establishment(s) will be located in one of the City/Counties listed, contact the agent in that county for the application instructions-DO NOT submit an application to the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
   

2. Submit completed application (Form #3174) and applicable fee(s).
   

3. Schedule Pre-Licensing Inspection: Once your application has been received and processed, a DSPS Inspector will contact you to schedule a Pre-Licensing inspection. During the inspection, the Inspector will share with you the applicable code requirements that your establishment must meet.
   

Some Important Public Health Concerns Identified During the Pre-Licensing Inspection Include:

• Procedural area hand wash sink(s) with hot and cold water under pressure
• Toilet room with toilet and separate hand wash sink
• Age restriction signage
• Light colored, easily cleanable walls and ceilings
• Smooth, durable and non-porous floor material in procedural areas
• Approved and listed autoclave for sterilization
• Ultrasonic cleaning unit provided
• Closed cabinets exclusively used for equipment storage
• Proper sharps disposal container size and location(s)
• Inks from approved sources
• Disinfectants, antiseptics and enzymatic cleaners supplied
• Single use gloves, plastic coverings and barrier shields supplied

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.

Local Approval

The Inspector may ask you for documentation showing that the proposed Tattooing and Body Piercing establishment has been approved for use by the local zoning authority. Talk with the local zoning authority to assure that your property is approved for business use.  The local zoning authority may be a Village, Township, City, or County.

Practitioner Resources (potential occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens and sharps)

• CDC Best Practices 2007

• CDC Hep B 2007

• CDC Sharps BBP

• Glove Use for Body Arts​​
  

• DNR Sharps Disposal can be found on the DNR web page: DNR Registered Sharps Collection Stations - May 2020
  

• FDA Approved Autoclaves - May 2020 
  

• Chapter SPS 221 Tattooing and Body Piercing
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Tattooing and Body Piercing Frequently Asked Questions

Body Art Agent Map

Informed Consent

Renewal Information

Requirements

• APP (Complete Form #3174 and include applicable fee(s))

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