Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements in Providence, RI

Complete permit and license guide for starting a tattoo parlor in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island.

Verified 2026-09-06 5 stops $300–$1,000 est. 3–8 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

1 stop
  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Rhode Island

2 stops
  1. Rhode Island Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Rhode Island. Rhode Island charges a 7% state sales tax with no local sales taxes. Register with the RI Division of Taxation online via the RI Tax Portal.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

  2. Bloodborne Pathogen and CPR/First Aid Certification (per tattoo artist)

    Rhode Island's tattoo regulations require every person practising tattooing to comply with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standards, including staff training, and RIDOH's Tattoo Artist application requires current Bloodborne Pathogen and CPR/First Aid certificates to be submitted with the application. Registrations expire March 31 each year and are renewed online.

    Official government source

    No state fee for the training itself - courses are bought from private providers and priced by them. RIDOH charges $90 for the annual Tattoo Artist registration.Course length is set by the training provider; RIDOH publishes none.

City of Providence / Providence County

2 stops
  1. Rhode Island Department of Health - Tattoo Parlor Registration

    Tattoo establishments in Rhode Island must hold an annual Tattoo Parlor registration from the RI Department of Health, and every artist must separately hold an annual Tattoo Artist registration. Bloodborne pathogen and infection control compliance and health inspections are required.

    Official government source

    $90 per year for the Tattoo Parlor registration plus $90 per year for each Tattoo Artist (R.I. Gen. Laws 23-1-39(b) and 23-1-54, per RIDOH's fee schedule 216-RICR-10-05-2).Not published by RIDOH.

  2. No Providence General Business License

    Providence does not require a general business license or a fee based on gross revenue. The city's Board of Licenses issues licenses only for specific regulated activities - liquor, entertainment, food establishment, body works, second-hand dealer and second-hand auto, motor vehicle repair, vendor, private detective, pawnbroker, valet, trash hauling and similar. Photography, tutoring and wedding planning are not licensed categories. Check the Board's online licensing portal to see whether your specific activity appears on the list.

    Official government source

    Not applicable - no general Providence business license exists. Fees for the specific regulated categories are set per license type in the Board of Licenses portal.Not applicable; applications for the specific licenses are scheduled for a hearing before the Board of License Commissioners.

Terminus

Open for business — est. $300–$1,000 · 3–8 weeks

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Official Sources

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