Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements in New York City, NY

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC, corporation, or partnership, or if you have employees. Apply free online through the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate

   Free

   Immediate

2. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard Compliance

   Tattoo parlors with employees must comply with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), including written exposure control plans, hepatitis B vaccination availability, proper sharps disposal, and annual employee training.

   Official government source

   Cost of training and supplies (~$200–$500/year)·Ongoing

   Cost of training and supplies (~$200–$500/year)

   Ongoing

1. NYS Public Health Law Article 4-A — Tattoo and Body Piercing Regulation

   New York State regulates tattooing and body piercing under Public Health Law Article 4-A. In New York City, the DOHMH is the local enforcement authority and administers all permitting. There is no separate state-level permit for studios in NYC — the city DOHMH license fulfills both city and state requirements. Studios outside NYC must apply to their local county health department.

   Official government source

   No separate state fee for NYC operations — regulated through DOHMH·N/A

   No separate state fee for NYC operations — regulated through DOHMH

   N/A

1. NYC DOHMH Tattoo Artist License

   NYC regulates tattooing under the Tattoo Regulation Act, NYC Administrative Code Title 17, Chapter 3, Subchapter 7 (§§ 17-354 et seq.): the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) licenses individual tattoo ARTISTS (exam + license), and there is no separate 'Article 47 studio operating permit' (Health Code Article 47 governs child care). Studios must comply with DOHMH sanitary requirements and are subject to inspection. New York State law separately requires body-art operators to comply with Public Health Law Article 4-A outside NYC.

   Official government source

   Contact NYC DOHMH for current studio operating permit fee·4–8 weeks (includes DOHMH inspection)

   Contact NYC DOHMH for current studio operating permit fee

   4–8 weeks (includes DOHMH inspection)

2. NYC DOHMH Individual Tattoo Artist License (per artist)

   Each tattoo artist working in New York City must hold an individual Tattoo License issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. To obtain the license, the applicant must complete a three-hour Infection Control Course offered by the DOHMH Health Academy. The license costs $100 and is valid for two years. The Infection Control Course has a separate fee of $26.

   Official government source

   $100 (2-year license) + $26 (Infection Control Course) = $126 per artist·2–4 weeks

   $100 (2-year license) + $26 (Infection Control Course) = $126 per artist

   2–4 weeks

3. NYC Department of Buildings — Certificate of Occupancy or Alteration Permit (if renovating)

   If you are converting or renovating a commercial space to operate as a tattoo studio in NYC, you may need an alteration permit from the NYC Department of Buildings and potentially a new or amended Certificate of Occupancy. The minimum permit fee as of 2026 is $130 (per Local Law 128 of 2024, effective December 21, 2025).

   Official government source

   $130 minimum (varies based on scope of work and construction costs)·4–12 weeks (depending on scope of work)

   $130 minimum (varies based on scope of work and construction costs)

   4–12 weeks (depending on scope of work)

Official Sources

• NYC Business — Tattoo License
• NYC DOH — Instructions for Applying for a Tattoo License
• NYS Health — Body Art Tattooing and Body Piercing
• NYS Public Health Law Article 4-A
• NYC Buildings — Certificate of Occupancy

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