Body Art Practitioner Registration

What is the process?

Review Operational Requirements

Read and comply with the Requirements for Body Art Practitioner and Facility reference document.

Submit Required Forms

The following forms must be submitted along with the registration fee. 

Individual forms can be downloaded below:

1. Body Art Practitioner Registration Form. 

Please note, this is not a health permit application to operate a Body Art Facility.  A separate health permit application must be completed and returned along with the applicable health permit fee to operate a Body Art Facility. This application is for practitioners to obtain a certificate of registration from the County of San Luis Obispo Environmental Health Services Division.

2. Provide evidence of current hepatitis B vaccination, including applicable boosters, unless the practitioner can demonstrate hepatitis B immunity or has complied with current federal OSHA hepatitis B vaccination declination requirements. Click here to download the Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination Form (if applicable)

Complete OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Training

Provide evidence of completion of OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Training.

Prior to registering with Environmental Health Services, a practitioner shall complete a Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training program specific to body art activities.  

  • Training must be updated and submitted annually.
  • Records of training required shall be maintained for three years and shall be available for inspection upon request.
  • Our Department has adopted the approval method for Bloodborne Pathogen Certification by referencing Los Angeles County Approved Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Training Providers. The list of accredited courses can be found at Los Angeles County Approved Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Training Providers (lacounty.gov) 

Provide Proof of Age

Registered Body Art Practitioners must be at least 18 years of age.

Informed Consent, Medical Questionnaire, Aftercare

An example of an Informed Consent/Medical Questionnaire/Aftercare Form can be found here.

An Informed Consent Form must be completed by the client prior to the performance of body art. 

The client shall read, complete, and sign an informed consent form that shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following information:

  1. A description of the procedure.
  2. A description of what the client should expect following the procedure, including suggested care and any medical complications that may occur as a result of the procedure.
  3. A statement regarding the permanent nature of body art.
  4. A notice that tattoo inks, dyes, and pigments have not been approved by the federal Foodand Drug Administration and that the health consequences of using these products areunknown.
  5. Post procedure instructions that include all of the following:
    • Information on the care of the procedure site.
    • Restrictions on physical activities such as bathing, recreational water activities,gardening, or contact with animals, and the duration of the restrictions.
    • Signs and symptoms of infection, including, but not limited to, redness, swelling,tenderness of the procedure site, red streaks going from the procedure site towardsthe heart, elevated body temperature, or purulent drainage from the procedure site.
    • Signs and symptoms that indicate the need to seek medical care.

A Medical Questionnaire must be completed by the client prior to the performance of body art. 

The client shall receive, complete, and sign a questionnaire that includes all of the following information:

  1. Whether the client may be pregnant.
  2. Whether the client has a history of herpes infection at the proposed procedure site, diabetes, allergic reactions to latex or antibiotics, hemophilia or other bleeding disorder, or cardiac valve disease.
  3. Whether the client has a history of medication use or is currently using medication, including being prescribed antibiotics prior to dental or surgical procedures.
  4. Other risk factors for blood-borne pathogen exposure.

All information gathered from the client that is personal medical information and that is subject to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) or similar state laws shall be maintained or disposed of in compliance with those provisions.

Aftercare instructions must be provided to the client.

Ensure Knowledge of and Commitment to Meet Requirements

As a condition of registration, a Registered Body Art Practitioner shall provide self-certification of, knowledge of, and commitment to meet state law and relevant local regulations pertaining to body art safety.

Provide Operating Location Information

Provide the business address and the address at which the Registered Body Artist will perform any regulated body art activity. 

Pay Registration Fee

The permit fee is due with the registration. Please refer to the Environmental Health Permit Fee Schedule for more information. Click here to pay fees online (no additional fees).

Who is eligible?

This service is available to Body Art Practitioners operating, or planning to operate, within San Luis Obispo County.

Is there a charge for this service?

Please refer to our Fee Schedule or contact our office at (805) 781-5544.

When and where is this service offered?

This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays.

Please visit us, email us, contact us, or call our office to begin the process.

Location, directions and hours of operation

Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information

Monday - Friday 8-5


2156 Sierra Way Suite B
San Luis Obispo , CA 93401

Tel: (805) 781-5544

Fax: (805) 781-4211