Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements in Hilo, HI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Hawaii Department of Taxation — General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii has no sales tax. Instead the state levies a General Excise Tax on the gross income of the business itself, and unlike a sales tax it reaches services, commissions and rent as well as goods. Every business must register for a GET licence with the Department of Taxation on Form BB-1 before doing business. The rate is 4% statewide, rising to 4.5% on Oahu because of the 0.5% county surcharge, and it is owed on gross income whether or not it is passed on to the customer.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)·Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)

   Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

2. Bloodborne Pathogen Training (per tattoo artist)

   Under HRS §321-375 a tattoo artist must pass a bloodborne pathogen course written for the tattoo industry before being licensed. The Department of Health does not run the course or the exam — it contracts the testing out and publishes a list of approved online providers that applicants pay directly. The certificate has to be dated within two years of the licence application, which matches the artist licence's biennial cycle: renewal fees are due by December 31 of each even-numbered year under HRS §321-381, not annually.

   Official government source

   Set by the third-party course provider — DOH lists the approved online providers and does not set the price; the $75 tattoo artist license fee is paid separately to the Department of Health·The course is completed online in a single sitting; the certificate must be dated within two years of the license application, and licenses then renew by December 31 of each even-numbered year

   Set by the third-party course provider — DOH lists the approved online providers and does not set the price; the $75 tattoo artist license fee is paid separately to the Department of Health

   The course is completed online in a single sitting; the certificate must be dated within two years of the license application, and licenses then renew by December 31 of each even-numbered year

1. Hawaii Department of Health — Tattoo Shop Permit

   Tattoo shops in Hawaii must obtain a permit from the Hawaii Dept. of Health, Food Safety Branch (city-specific application forms exist for Hilo, Kona, Oahu, Maui/Molokai, Kauai). All artists must complete a bloodborne pathogen certification course. Health inspections are required.

   Official government source

   $125 initial permit fee; $75 renewal (Hilo Tattoo Shop Permit, non-refundable)·2–6 weeks

   $125 initial permit fee; $75 renewal (Hilo Tattoo Shop Permit, non-refundable)

   2–6 weeks

2. Hawaii State General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii County does not issue a general county business license. Every business operating in Hilo must obtain a State of Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license, a one-time $20 filing with the Dept. of Taxation. Specific business types may need separate state or county permits.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)·Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)

   Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

Official Sources

• Hawaii Department of Health — Tattoo Shop Permit
• County of Hawaii Finance Department

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