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, and also licenses Tattoo/Body Piercing Studios where these services are offered. The Department of Health performs inspections of Tattoo/Body Piercing Studios and investigates complaints related to unsanitary conditions. 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, or email DOHtattooandpiercing@nassaucountyny.gov.    

TATTOO/BODY PIERCING ARTISTS

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


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. Seats for each examination date are 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. On the day of examination, you must 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. Walk-ins without an examination appointment will not be permitted.

Step 4: Satisfactorily complete and pass the Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist examination on your scheduled examination date. The examination is comprised of 50 questions that are a combination of multiple-choice questions and true/false statements. The examination material will be based on information presented in the recording of the Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist Certification Class from Step 1.

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

In addition to Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist requirements detailed above, any location where tattoo, microblading, permanent make-up, 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 about Tattoo/Piercing Studio requirements in Nassau County, or to request an application for a Tattoo/Piercing Studio, contact the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9717, or email DOHtattooandpiercing@nassaucountyny.gov.