Do I need a license to be a tattoo artist in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota law bars performing tattooing without a tattoo technician license from the commissioner of health. The initial technician fee is $420 and 200 supervised hours are required.
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- License required
- Yes. The statute says no individual may perform tattooing unless the individual holds a valid tattoo technician license.
- Issued by
- Minnesota Department of Health (commissioner of health)
- Training or apprenticeship
- 200 hours of tattoo experience under supervision
- Bloodborne pathogen training
- Coursework on bloodborne pathogens, disease transmission, infection control and aseptic technique, completed within the year before applying
- Fee
- $420 for the initial technician license and the biennial renewal
- Application
- Official application or application information
- Source
- Minnesota Statutes chapter 146B and Minnesota Department of 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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