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How to become a licensed tattoo artist in Georgia. No formal apprenticeship required. BBP training required. Shop license required. Total fees: $50-$175. Verified 2026-03-24. Data verified 2026-03-24. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Tattoo Artist
Governing Authority
Georgia Department of Public Health — Environmental Health (DPH, Environmental Health Section / Body Art Program)
Official website →(404) 657-2700
Certification
Regulation Type
Not Required
Apprenticeship
4 hrs
BBP Training
Required
Shop License
0 hrs
CE Hours
$50-$175
Total Initial Fees
Regulation Details
VerifiedRegulation Type
Certification
Regulation Level
State
Credential Title
DPH Body Artist Certification — effective October 6, 2023 under Chapter 511-3-8 (Senate Bill 214 signed by Gov. Kemp)
Title Protection
No
Training & Certification
VerifiedApprenticeship
Not Required
Bloodborne Pathogen Training
4 hours
CPR / First Aid
Required
Infection Control Training
Included in BBP
Apprenticeship Details
No uniform state apprenticeship requirement, but some counties require 200-300 hours supervised apprenticeship (varies by county).
Additional Training Requirements
Most states require tattoo artists to complete bloodborne pathogen (BBP) training and may require an apprenticeship under a licensed artist before obtaining their own license. Training requirements vary significantly by state.
Browse Tattoo Artist study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Sterilization, Safety & Client Protections
VerifiedRequired
Autoclave
Required
Single-Use Needles
Monthly
Spore Testing
Health Department Inspections
Annual
Client Consent Forms
Required
Minimum Age to Tattoo Others
18 years old
Minor Tattoo Rules
Minors may be tattooed with written parental consent
Health and safety requirements protect both the artist and the client. Most states mandate single-use needles, proper sterilization via autoclave, and regular spore testing. Client consent forms are typically required and must include health disclosures and aftercare instructions.
Tattoo Establishment Licensing
VerifiedRequired
Shop License
Separate
License Type
Required
Shop Inspection
Minimum Space Requirements
Separate workstation areas, handwashing station, sterilization area per Chapter 511-3-8
Equipment Requirements
Record Keeping
Client consent forms, procedure records, sterilization logs must be maintained per state regulations
Many states require a separate shop or establishment license in addition to the individual artist license. Shop inspections ensure compliance with health codes, sanitation standards, and safety protocols.
Not sure if you need a tattoo artist license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Artist License Fee $50 DPH exam fee per exam (tattooing, piercing, microblading are separate exams). County application fees vary — Fulton County ~$125 application + $150 exam. | $50-$175 |
Shop License Fee | $150 |
Application Fee | $75 |
Renewal Fee | $75 |
Inspection Fee | Included |
Total Initial Fees $50 DPH exam fee + county application fee (varies). This is a new statewide program effective October 6, 2023 (Senate Bill 214). Prior to this, Georgia had only county-level regulation. | $50-$175 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Annual
BBP Refresher
Renewal Fee
$75
Regulatory Board
Tattoo artist licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require bloodborne pathogen (BBP) refresher training as part of the renewal process. Some states also require continuing education in infection control and safety practices.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Endorsement Available
No
Reciprocity Requirements
Must pass Georgia Body Artist Exam
Portability Details
Out-of-state artists must pass the Georgia Body Artist Exam and meet certification requirements
Tattoo artist license reciprocity varies between states. Some states accept out-of-state credentials with proof of training, while others require a full new application. Bloodborne pathogen training is typically required regardless of prior licensure.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Georgia implemented statewide body art regulations effective October 2023 under Chapter 511-3-8. Separate exams exist for tattooing, piercing, and microblading. Temporary 7-day permits are available.
Georgia implemented statewide Body Art regulations (Chapter 511-3-8) effective October 2023.
A Body Artist Exam is required, administered by county health departments.
Separate exams for tattooing, piercing, and microblading.
Temporary 7-day permits available.
Studio permits issued by local Health Authority.
There is no interstate compact for tattoo artists.
Georgia's statewide Body Artist Certification took effect October 6, 2023 (Senate Bill 214, signed by Gov. Kemp). Administered by DPH. Existing artists had until Oct 6, 2024 to comply. Certification is portable across counties. Requires DPH Body Art Exam, First Aid/CPR/BBP certificates, physician health evaluation (free of communicable diseases), and Hepatitis B vaccination or declination form.
Tattoo Artist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia (you) | $300 | 4–14 wks | |
| Alabama | $275 | 4–14 wks | → |
| Florida | $320 | 4–14 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $350 | 4–14 wks | → |
| South Carolina | $250 | 4–14 wks | → |
Georgia ranks #1 out of 43 for lowest tattoo artist licensing fees ($50-$175). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Georgia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#14 of 51
Cost
#19 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (SOC 27-1013)
Entry Level
$46,870
25th percentile
Median
$61,560
+2% vs. national avg ($60,560)Experienced
$68,470
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
240 employed in this state
Note: BLS does not have a specific SOC code for tattoo artists. This data uses "Fine Artists" as the closest available category. Actual tattoo artist income varies significantly and often includes cash tips not captured in BLS data.
Source: BLS OEWS – Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+2.5%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+1,200
over 10 years
Annual Openings
4,100
per year (avg.)
49,000 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 4–14 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Georgia Department of Public Health — Environmental Health — Licensing Requirements
1–4 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Georgia Department of Public Health — Environmental Health — Licensing Requirements
Bloodborne pathogen training and tattoo licensing study materials.
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Moving to Georgia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Tattoo Artist license to Georgia →
Transfer your Tattoo Artist license from Georgia to: Alabama → | Florida → | North Carolina → | South Carolina → | Tennessee →
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Georgia requires certification for tattoo artists. BBP training is mandatory. All licensing is managed through the Georgia Department of Public Health — Environmental Health (DPH, Environmental Health Section / Body Art Program).
Requirements vary by state and locality. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.