Tattoo & Body Piercing

Tattoo & Body Piercing Program

The Department of Health licenses Tattoo/Body Piercing Artists that perform tattoo, permanent makeup, and body piercing services in Nassau County. The Department of Health also licenses Tattoo/Body Piercing facilities where these services are offered. For information about the Tattoo & Body Piercing Program or to file a complaint related to a Tattoo/Body Piercing Studio, please contact the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9717. 

TATTOO/BODY PIERCING ARTISTS

Any individual that performs tattoo, permanent makeup, or body piercing services in Nassau County is required to hold a Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist Certification issued by the Nassau County Department of Health. This Certification is valid for three years from the date of issuance, and it is the individual’s responsibility to renew their Certification in a timely manner.

Individuals that wish to obtain or renew a Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist Certification will be required to complete a four-step process to become a Certified Artist in Nassau County.

Step 1: Review below recording of the Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist Certification Class (or click here to access the Artist Certification Class). 

Step 2: Contact the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9717 to schedule an in-person Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist Certification examination. Examinations are offered     on a monthly basis and there are a limited number of seats available for each examination date. Available seats for each examination date will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

Step 3: Report to the Nassau County Department of Health (located at 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, NY 11501) on your scheduled examination date and bring the following:

• Completed Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist Certification Application (click here for the Application)
• Certified check or money order for $200.00 (no cash or personal checks will be accepted)
• Photo identification (Driver’s license, passport, etc)

An individual that does not provide these documents at the time of their examination will not be permitted to sit for their in-person examination and will need to reschedule their examination for a later date. Additionally, be advised that walk-ins without an examination appointment will not be permitted.

Step 4: Satisfactorily complete and pass the Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist Certification examination. The examination is comprised of 50 questions that are a combination of multiple-choice questions and true/false statements derived from the Tattoo/Piercing Artist Certification Class. 

An individual will not be considered a Certified Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist until they have satisfactorily completed Step 1 through Step 4 detailed above. 

TATTOO/BODY PIERCING STUDIOS

New Tattoo/Body Piercing Studios must contact the Nassau County Department of Health to obtain a permit to operate. In addition to Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist requirements detailed above, any location where tattoo, permanent makeup, or body piercing services are offered is required to hold a valid Tattoo/Body Piercing Studio Permit issued by the Nassau County Department of Health.

Tattoo/Body Piercing Studios in Nassau County are required to meet certain sanitary requirements. Information about these requirements, as well the application process for a Tattoo/Body Piercing Studio can be found here.

For additional information regarding the Tattoo & Body Piercing Program in Nassau County, please call the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9717.