Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements in Columbus, OH

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Columbus Public Health Body Art Establishment Approval (per statewide rules, OAC Chapter 3701-9)

   Tattoo and body piercing establishments in Ohio are governed by statewide standards (ORC Chapter 3730 and OAC Chapter 3701-9) but are approved and inspected entirely by the local board of health: ORC 3730.03 requires the operator to apply to the board of health of the city or general health district where the business is located. Within Columbus city limits that is Columbus Public Health; there is no separate Ohio Department of Health establishment registration. Contact Columbus Public Health for application requirements, including artist training expectations.

   Official government source

   Included in Columbus Public Health license·Concurrent with local license process

   Included in Columbus Public Health license

   Concurrent with local license process

2. Bloodborne Pathogen Training (per artist)

   Each tattoo artist must have documented training in first aid and in standard precautions for preventing transmission of bloodborne and other infectious diseases, per Ohio Administrative Code 3701-9-04(M); Columbus Public Health verifies this training as part of body art establishment approval. Confirm the renewal frequency your local board of health requires.

   Official government source

   $25-$75 per artist·Course length varies by provider (commonly a few hours, online or in person)

   $25-$75 per artist

   Course length varies by provider (commonly a few hours, online or in person)

3. Ohio Secretary of State Business Registration

   Required if operating as an LLC, corporation, or partnership in Ohio. Establishes your legal business entity in the state and protects your business name.

   Official government source

   $99 (flat fee for LLC Articles of Organization or Corporation Articles of Incorporation)·3-7 business days (online filing); 2-3 weeks (mail)

   $99 (flat fee for LLC Articles of Organization or Corporation Articles of Incorporation)

   3-7 business days (online filing); 2-3 weeks (mail)

1. Columbus Public Health Body Art Establishment License

   Required for all tattoo and body art establishments operating within the City of Columbus. Issued by Columbus Public Health, Environmental Health Division. The license requires a pre-operational inspection verifying compliance with sterilization, sharps disposal, surface sanitation, and record-keeping standards before the studio may open.

   Official government source

   $300/year (tattoo, piercing, or combined establishment license)·2-4 weeks after application and inspection

   $300/year (tattoo, piercing, or combined establishment license)

   2-4 weeks after application and inspection

2. No general Columbus business license exists

   Columbus does not have a general city business license issued by the Division of Income Tax - no such blanket license exists for tattoo studios. Tattoo studios inside the City of Columbus need a body art establishment license from Columbus Public Health (the city health district that licenses body art within city limits), plus a Certificate of Occupancy from Building and Zoning Services.

   Official government source

   N/A - no general business license required·N/A

   N/A - no general business license required

   N/A

3. Certificate of Occupancy

   Required before opening a tattoo studio in a commercial space in Columbus. Issued by the Columbus Division of Building and Zoning Services. The studio must meet zoning requirements for personal service establishments and pass a fire safety inspection by the Columbus Division of Fire.

   Official government source

   No separate fee when the Certificate of Occupancy is issued with a building permit; a Certificate of Occupancy for an existing building not associated with a building permit is $700 (commercial/multi-family) per the City's 2026 Combined Development Related Fee Schedule.·2-6 weeks

   No separate fee when the Certificate of Occupancy is issued with a building permit; a Certificate of Occupancy for an existing building not associated with a building permit is $700 (commercial/multi-family) per the City's 2026 Combined Development Related Fee Schedule.

   2-6 weeks

4. Columbus Division of Fire Inspection

   Required as part of the Certificate of Occupancy process for tattoo studios in Columbus. The Columbus Division of Fire inspects for proper exits, fire extinguishers, and compliance with fire codes for personal service establishments.

   Official government source

   No separate fee (included in CO process)·Scheduled as part of CO process

   No separate fee (included in CO process)

   Scheduled as part of CO process

Official Sources

• Columbus Public Health - Environmental Health
• Columbus Division of Building and Zoning Services
• Ohio Secretary of State - Business Filings
• City of Columbus - Division of Taxation

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