Do I need a license to be a tattoo artist in Tennessee?
Tennessee Department of Health rules provide a tattoo artist license, issued after a written exam, an application fee and a one-year apprenticeship. The rule text lists a $50 fee.
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- License required
- Yes. The rule says a tattoo artist not in business before October 1, 1996 shall be required to obtain an apprentice license and work from an approved establishment.
- Issued by
- Tennessee Department of Health
- Training or apprenticeship
- A one-year apprenticeship
- Fee
- $50 initial and $50 renewal fee for a tattoo artist, as stated in the rule text
- Note
- The rule copy is marked "December, 2000 (Revised)"; amounts may have changed since.
- Source
- Tennessee Department of Health, Rule 1200-23-3, 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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