Do I need a license to be a tattoo artist in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut law bars practicing tattooing without a license or temporary permit from the Department of Public Health. The initial license fee is $250.
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- License required
- Yes. The statute says no person shall practice tattooing without a license or temporary permit from the Department of Public Health.
- Issued by
- Connecticut Department of Public Health
- Training or apprenticeship
- 2,000 hours of practical training and experience under a tattoo technician is listed in the requirements (the list gives it with an "OR" alternative)
- Bloodborne pathogen training
- A course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that meets OSHA standards, completed within three years before applying, with a proficiency examination
- Fee
- Initial license $250; renewal $200 (biennial)
- Application
- Official application or application information
- Source
- Connecticut General Statutes chapter 387a and Department of Public Health, read November 5, 2026.
What this page does not cover
It states what the cited text says on the date it was read. It does not cover other rules that may apply, such as local ordinances, a county or city permit, a studio's own policy or a change in the rule since that date. The official text prevails over this summary.
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