Tattoo Artist License - Temporary

About Apply Operating & Renewing

Apply

Before you submit your application

Gather all supporting documents required to apply for this permit. Review and complete the application for a Tattoo License.

APPLICATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR A TATTOO LICENSE

All applicants for a Temporary Tattoo Artist license are required to pass the Infection Control Examination, or provide proof they have passed equivalent training. The exam is administered after a three-hour course conducted by DOHMH Health Academy. Proof of permitting or licensing from another jurisdiction or alternate acceptable training must be provided in order to register for the exam only, without having to take the Infection Control Course. To register for the course and exam, go to the Citywide Licensing Center (address below) or call the Health Academy at the phone number below.

Please bring the registration confirmation and a current photo identification issued by a federal, state, or local government agency to the course. Attendees will be given an examination at the end of the course and will receive grades immediately following the examination. Those that pass the examination will receive a letter to serve as proof that the required course was passed. Applicants that will only take the exam must appear only at the examination time, and must provide proof of permitting or licensing from another jurisdiction or proof of alternate acceptable training.

A Notarized Statement from the tattoo artist detailing other certifications in infectious disease control and prevention, and proof of this certification (typically government issued), may be accepted in lieu of a license from another jurisdiction when the jurisdiction does not have a licensing or regulatory requirement for tattooing. Successful completion of the Infection Control Examination or proof of other comparable training is required at the time of application.

A Notarized Letter from a person possessing a valid full-term DOHMH Tattoo Artist License, indicating that he / she will supervise the applicant for this Temporary Tattoo Artist License during all times tattooing occurs is required. The letter must include the name, license number and expiration date of the supervising licensed Tattoo Artist, the name of the applicant, the location(s), date(s) and time(s) where and when tattooing shall occur.

For Sole Proprietors - Copy of the Business Certificate for Sole Proprietorships from the County Clerk Use the link to the "Certificate of Assumed Name / Doing Business As for Sole Proprietorships".

Proof of Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification number (ITIN): original Social Security card or ITIN card or letter from the IRS. An original medical insurance card or bank statement with the SSN or ITIN on it is also acceptable.

You must provide a valid government issued photo ID (e.g., driver's license, passport, employment authorization card).

A valid e-mail address is required if applying online.

List of Permit Fees. More info

Tattoo Artist License Fee: $50 for a seven consecutive day period in which the license is applied for.
Infection Control Course Fee: $26 fee (payment must be separate from the license fee)

List of accepted payment methods. More info

Personal Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene; accepted only when applying in person)
Certified Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene; accepted only when applying in person)
Money Order (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene; accepted only when applying in person)
American Express
Discover
MasterCard
Visa

Ready to Apply?

Apply Online Apply in Person

Steps to apply online:

Take Infection Control Course's examination satisfactorily or provide the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with proof (determined to be adequate at the discretion of the agency ) of satisfactory completion of an equivalent exam.

After receiving the receipt, applicant must go in person to the Citywide Licensing Center at the address below to be photographed. They must bring photo ID.

Attend the Mobile Vending Food Protection Course at the NYC Health Academy. After you complete the final exam, your photo will be taken for your license. You will receive your license in the mail within 3 weeks. Applicants that have not received the license in the mail within three weeks of passing the exam can call 311 for assistance.

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DoHMH)

Address
Health Academy

Riverside Health Center

160 W. 100th Street (at Columbus Avenue)

New York NY 10025

Gather all documents required to apply for this permit.

Make electronic versions of all documents required for applying for a permit. You will upload these documents into the online permit system. The following document types can be uploaded: PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD, and TXT.

Create an account with the NYC Online Licensing system. Payment is required to complete and submit the application so applicants should have their credit or debit card information readily available. Partially completed applications may be saved and returned to later for completion.

Select Tattoo License - Temporary and enter the requested information into each field. Fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Applicants will be requested to upload copies of the documents identified in the Prerequisites section above. These documents can be uploaded individually or as a single file.

Pay with a credit or debit card to complete the application.

Steps to apply in person:

Complete Infection Control Course's examination satisfactorily or provide the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with proof (determined to be adequate at the discretion of the agency ) of satisfactory completion of an equivalent exam.

Complete the Application for Permit Form available above.

Applicants applying for the first time may not submit their applications through a representative, but must submit in person.

Bring all completed forms and required documentation to the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center, located at the address below. Applications are not accepted by mail.

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)

Address
Licensing Center

42 Broadway, Lobby

New York NY 10004

Once the application is approved, the applicant should submit the license fee as described in the Fees section, below.

The Citywide Licensing Center will issue a receipt for the application submitted. Applicants must then go to the photo ID window to have his / her picture entered into the photo-imaging machine.

After further processing, a license will be generated. A photo ID badge will also be generated, and both the badge and the license document will be mailed to the applicant's home address within three (3) weeks. Applicants may not begin to work until both the photo ID badge and license document have been received. License holders must keep both the photo ID and license with them while working. Applicants that have not received the license in the mail within three weeks of applying can call 311 for assistance.