Body Art

The term “body art” refers to tattooing, piercing and microblading.

Our Body Art Program permits and inspects body art studios. We also offer the Body Artist Certification Exam.

This webpage addresses some of the key aspects of the Body Art Program. For all studio and artist requirements, click on the link at the bottom of the page.

Click here for the fee schedule. Our staff will discuss payment with you.

For body art clients

Before going to a studio, you can:

• Call (404) 508-7900 to verify the studio’s current permit and obtain information on the latest inspection report.
• Click on the link to the right for the Georgia Department of Public Health’s list of certified artists.
  or

At a studio, before receiving a service, check near the entrance for the:

• Studio’s current permit.
• Artist’s current certification.
• Latest inspection report.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides this information on body art risks.

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For body art studios

Completing your permit application

To open or make structural changes to a body art studio, you must apply for a studio permit prior to the start of construction.

• Review the Body Art Studio Plan Checklist
• Complete the Body Art Studio Application
• Prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for preventing accidents and eliminating or minimizing the risk of occupational exposure to blood and other bodily fluids. You may create your own or use one of these templates:
  • All Disposable Body Art Studios SOP
  • Non-Disposable Body Art Studios SOP

Submitting your permit application

Email the completed application, an 8 ½” x 11” or larger detailed, to-scale floor plan of the body art studio, the  SOP and all other supporting documents to DeKalb.eh@dph.ga.gov with the subject line: “Body Art Studio Application.”

Displaying and retaining documentation

Once the studio is permitted, you must display:

• The studio’s permit
• Each artist’s certification
• The most recent inspection report
• The sign about tattoos and military service

You must keep a file on each artist and client. The studio and its files will be inspected twice a year.

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For body artists

Understanding the certification process

Click here for the Body Artist Certification Steps.

Taking the certification exam

DeKalb Public Health’s Environmental Health Department offers the Body Artist Certification Exam at 10:00 a.m. every first and third Friday of the month. If a date falls on a holiday, the exam will be offered the following Friday. The fee is $50 per exam. Since the certification is statewide, the exam can be taken at any county environmental health office that offers it. The complete list of county environmental health offices can be found here.

To register for the exam, click here: Body Artist Certification Exam Registration Form.

For more information, click here: Body Artist Certification Exam FAQ.

Submitting additional documentation

Please note that you must also provide:

• Documentation of being vaccinated against hepatitis B or a completed Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination form.
• A completed Verification of Residency form.

Renewing your certification

For information on how to renew your certification, click here: Body Artist Certification Renewal.Empty heading

For temporary body art studios at conventions or industry trade shows

“Temporary body art studio” means any location, place, facility, or business for which a permit to practice body art has been granted by DeKalb Public Health for no more than a period of seven consecutive days in connection with conventions or industry trade shows.

At least 30 days prior to the event, email the completed application, an 8½” x 11″ or larger detailed, to-scale floor plan of the temporary body art studio, and all other supporting documents to DeKalb.eh@dph.ga.gov with the subject line: “Temporary Body Art Studio Application.”

Click here for the Temporary Body Art Studio Application.

For temporary body artists at conventions or industry trade shows

“Temporary body artist” means any person not certified by the Georgia Department of Public Health who performs body art in a temporary body art studio and is responsible for complying with applicable provisions of Georgia’s regulations. The permit to practice body art is granted by DeKalb Public Health for no more than a period of seven consecutive days only for the purpose of product demonstration in connection with conventions or industry trade shows.

At least 10 days prior to the event, email the completed application and all other supporting documents to DeKalb.eh@dph.ga.gov with the subject line: “Temporary Body Artist Application.”

Click here for the Temporary Artist Application.

For guest (out-of-state) body artists 

“Guest body artist” means a visiting tattooist, piercer or microblader who is not certified by the Georgia Department of Public Health and possesses a guest body artist permit issued by DeKalb Public Health to perform body art in a permitted body art studio.

To temporarily practice in DeKalb County as a guest (out-of-state) artist, you must apply for a permit using the Guest Artist Application. You must also submit a Guest Artist Sponsorship Letter.

Email the completed application and the sponsorship letter to DeKalb.eh@dph.ga.gov with the subject line: “Guest Artist Application.”

For all requirements

Visit https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/body-art.