Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements in Los Angeles, CA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a tattoo parlor in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

Verified 2026-08-27 7 stops $88–$1,800 est. 6–12 weeks
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

2 stops

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Free from the IRS — apply online and receive your EIN immediately upon approval; the IRS never charges for an EIN (avoid third-party sites that do). Federally required if you hire employees or operate as a corporation or partnership (including a multi-member LLC); a single-member LLC with no employees and no excise-tax liability may use the owner's SSN instead, though most banks ask for an EIN to open a business bank account.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate

  2. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard Compliance

    Tattoo studios with employees who have occupational exposure to blood must comply with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030; in California, Cal/OSHA's equivalent standard, 8 CCR 5193): a written exposure control plan, hepatitis B vaccination offered free to exposed employees, proper sharps disposal, and annual training. Owner-operators with no employees are generally outside OSHA's scope, though state and county body-art rules still apply.

    Official government source

    No government fee; employer bears training, vaccination, and supply costs (vary by studio size)Ongoing

State of California

2 stops

  1. California Safe Body Art Act Compliance

    California regulates tattoo studios at the local county level under the California Safe Body Art Act (Health & Safety Code §§ 119300-119328). There is no separate statewide tattoo studio license issued by a state agency — compliance is enforced through county health department permits. Each county's environmental health or public health department is the issuing authority.

    Official government source

    No separate state fee — regulated and permitted at county levelN/A

  2. California Seller's Permit (if selling taxable merchandise)

    If the tattoo studio sells taxable merchandise such as aftercare products, clothing, or gift items, register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for a seller's permit. Registration is free.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

City of Los Angeles / Los Angeles County

3 stops

  1. LA County Public Health — Body Art Facility Permit

    All tattoo studios operating in unincorporated Los Angeles County or within incorporated cities that rely on county health services must obtain a Body Art Facility Permit from the LA County Department of Public Health (DPH) Environmental Health division. The permit is annual and requires a facility inspection prior to issuance. Contact LA County DPH Body Art Program at (626) 430-5570 or [email protected] for current permit fees and application. The FY 2025-2026 fee schedule is published on the LA County DPH website.

    Official government source

    Contact LA County DPH Environmental Health for current annual facility permit fee (see FY 2025-2026 fee schedule)4–8 weeks (includes inspection)

  2. LA County Public Health — Body Art Practitioner Registration (per artist)

    Each individual tattoo artist working at the facility must register as a Body Art Practitioner with LA County DPH. Registration is annual. As of March 2025, the registration fee is $54 per artist per year, renewed annually. Artists must demonstrate compliance with the California Safe Body Art Act including bloodborne pathogen training.

    Official government source

    $54 per artist annually2–3 weeks

  3. City of Los Angeles Business Tax Registration Certificate

    All businesses operating in the City of Los Angeles must register with the Office of Finance for a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC). Registration is free. The annual business tax is based on gross receipts; businesses with worldwide gross receipts of $100,000 or less owe $0 under the Small Business Exemption if the annual renewal is filed on time. The first year is not tax-exempt — first-year tax is paid as 'back tax' at the first renewal.

    Official government source

    $0 to register; annual tax gross-receipts-based ($0 if worldwide gross receipts are $100,000 or less and renewal filed on time)1–3 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $88–$1,800 · 6–12 weeks

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