Tattoos and Body Art

NEED AN ARTIST CERTIFICATION? Exams for Body Artists Certifications will be offered monthly at 2pm beginning May 16, 2024. To schedule an exam please contact Misty Hardin at (706) 295-6313.  

ARTIST
It shall be unlawful for any person to perform body art procedures without having first obtained a valid body artist license from the health authority pursuant to the Georgia Rules and Regulations of Body Art Studios and Tattoo/Body Piercing Artists. Please contact the numbers above if you are currently seeking a GA Artist License.

STUDIO
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any type of body art studio without having first obtained a valid body art studio permit from the health authority pursuant to the Georgia Rules and Regulations of Body Art Studios and Tattoo/Body Piercing Artists. Individuals interested in obtaining a Body Art Studio Permit must complete the following Body Art Studio Permit Application and submit it to the local County Health Department’s Environmental Office along with the required documentation and all applicable fees.

What documents are required to open a Tattoo and Body Art Studio?

 Body Art Studio Application
Body Art Studio Plan Review Checklist
Temporary Body Art Studio Application

 Existing Studio Guidance

Verification of Residency (In accordance with the Georgia Department of Public Health, Alien Residency Verification Policy (Policy# GC-090008))

How can I report a complaint? Click here to use our online complaint form.

Additional Resources:

• Body Art Rules:   511-3-8 
• For more information visit: https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/body-art
• Tattoos & Permanent Makeup: Fact Sheet 
• O.C.G.A. § 31-40-8O is a Georgia state law that states that any body art on the face, neck, forearm, hand, or lower leg of an individual may automatically disqualify such individual from military service in the armed forces of the United States. EnvHealth-Tattoo-Military-Sign