What US states have tattoo laws?
Asked by: Prof. Dean Mraz DVM | Last update: August 29, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (12 votes)
However, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have statutory laws requiring a person receiving a tattoo be at least 18 years old. This is partially based on the legal principle that a minor cannot enter into a legal contract or otherwise render informed consent for a procedure.
What states have no tattoo laws?
Almost every state have laws addressing some aspect of body art. (Nevada has no laws addressing body art; Maryland has very limited laws). At least 45 states have laws prohibiting minors from getting tattoos.
What state allows tattoos at 16?
Pennsylvania and Arizona do. I took my daughter to PA for her first 2 tattoos at 16. There are probably others but those are the 2 I know of.
What 11 states don't regulate tattoos?
Currently, the only states that DO NOT regulate tattoo facilities are: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.
Can you get a tattoo at 16 in OK?
Oklahoma State Department of Health Tattooing and Body Piercing Title 21 Section 842.1 et seq. A. It shall be unlawful for any person to perform or offer to perform body piercing or tattooing on a child under eighteen (18) years of age. No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall be allowed to receive a tattoo.
State-By-State Definitive Guide to Tattoo Laws in the United States
Can a 14 year old get a tattoo in Virginia with parental consent?
Can I get a tattoo without my parent's permission? If you are younger than 18, Virginia law prohibits your getting a tattoo, except in the presence of your parent or guardian, or when done under medical supervision. Anyone who illegally performs a tattoo is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Can a 16 year old get a tattoo in Hawaii?
Hawaii State Law requires parental / guardian consent for minors between the ages of 14 to 18 to be tattooed. It is prohibited to tattoo minors under the age of 14 in the state of Hawaii.
Why were tattoos illegal in the US?
Tattooing was banned in New York City from 1961 to 1997; and in Norfolk, Virginia from 1950 to 2006 for being unsanitary and “vulgar.”
Can I give blood if I have a tattoo?
You have to wait for four months after having a tattoo before you can give blood. This includes semi-permanent make-up and microblading and the wait is the same for body piercings and acupuncture.
What is the easiest state to get a tattoo license in?
1. Florida. Becoming a tattoo artist in Florida may be far easier than you think. You'll only need to complete a tattoo artist education course and pay a $60 licensing fee.
Can I get a tattoo at 16 with my mom?
Most states permit a person under the age of 18 to receive a tattoo with permission of a parent or guardian, but some states prohibit tattooing under a certain age regardless of permission, with the exception of medical necessity (such as markings placed for radiation therapy).
Can a 14 year old get a tattoo with parental consent in Texas?
An artist may not tattoo a person younger than 18 without meeting the requirements of 25 Texas Administrative Code, §229.406(c), whose parent or guardian determines it to be in the best interest of the minor child to cover an existing tattoo.
Can a 14 year old get a tattoo with parental consent in PA?
(2) Tattooing or performing body piercing on any body part of a person under the age of eighteen (18) is not to be performed without the written consent of the parent or legal guardian of such minor.
Why are face tattoos illegal?
There's no federal law on tattooing on the body or face. However, most states regulate body art by not allowing it to minors and/or requiring parents' consent.
Is it a felony to tattoo without a license?
Depending on your state laws or local regulations, tattooing a minor or tattooing without appropriate licensing, registration, or supervision can lead to criminal charges, on top of professional repercussions. Most of these crimes carry misdemeanor penalties, punishable by fines and possible jail time.
What does the Bible say about tattoos?
But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.
What is the rarest blood?
One of the world's rarest blood types is Rh-null. Fewer than 50 people in the world have this blood type. It's so rare that it's sometimes called “golden blood.”
How long after a tattoo can you shower?
It's generally recommended to wait at least 24 hours before jumping into the shower. This initial waiting period gives your skin time to begin healing. When you do shower, try to minimize direct contact with the tattooed area and limit its exposure to water.
Which states don t regulate tattoos?
For tattoos, you must wait three months if the tattoo was applied in a state that does NOT regulate tattoo facilities. Currently, the only states that DO NOT regulate tattoo facilities are the District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wyoming.
What was the first tattoo ever?
The oldest documented tattoos belong to Otzi the Iceman, whose preserved body was discovered in the Alps between Austria and Italy in 1991. He died around 3300 B.C., says Jablonski, but the practice of inserting pigment under the skin's surface originated long before Otzi.
Are tattoos illegal in Japan?
Are Tattoos Illegal in Japan? While some view tattoos as an art form, the Japanese government, on the other hand, does not. Although they may not be illegal, tattoos are often associated with the Yakuza, a Japanese gang that covers their entire body with tattoos.
What states allow minors to get tattoos?
However, states like New Jersey and Colorado permit minors as young as 16 to get tattooed if they have written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Additionally, some states may not specify an exact age but instead leave the decision to individual tattoo studios, which can impose their own policies.
Is it illegal to tattoo at home in Ohio?
All tattoo and body piercing establishments are required by Ohio law to be licensed by a local health department.
Can a 13 year old get a tattoo in Illinois?
But no one under the age of 18 can get a tattoo in Illinois, even with a parent or guardian's permission. The other problem is a lot of tattoo shops might not follow the new law, especially if the teen has their parent's consent.