Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements in Charleston, WV

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. West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

   Before engaging in business activity in West Virginia every individual or business entity must obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the WV Tax Division (WV Code §11-12-1 et seq.), applied for through the Business for West Virginia portal at business4.wv.gov or on form BUS-APP. A separate certificate is needed for each business name and each location. The certificate is permanent — it does not expire — until the legal name, location or ownership changes, and it must be surrendered when the business stops operating in West Virginia. It also authorises you to collect the 6% state sales tax plus any municipal sales tax of up to 1%.

   Official government source

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location·1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location

   1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

2. Bloodborne Pathogen Training (OSHA employer requirement, not a WV state license)

   West Virginia's Tattoo Studio law (WV Code Sec.16-38) does not require a state-issued bloodborne pathogen certification for individual artists. Instead, under federal OSHA rules (29 CFR 1910.1030), employers whose workers have occupational exposure to blood must provide bloodborne pathogens training, with annual retraining. Separately, tattoo studios must obtain a WV business registration certificate and register with their local or regional board of health for inspection (WV Code Sec.16-38-6).

   Official government source

   Employer-provided at no direct cost, or $20-$80 per person if purchased from a private OSHA-training vendor·Half-day course

   Employer-provided at no direct cost, or $20-$80 per person if purchased from a private OSHA-training vendor

   Half-day course

1. Kanawha-Charleston Health Department — Tattoo Studio Operating Permit

   Tattoo studios in Charleston must hold a West Virginia business registration certificate and register with their local board of health — the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, 108 Lee St E, (304) 348-8050 — which inspects the studio annually and issues the operating permit that must be posted in plain view (WV Code §16-38). KCHD's Application for a Permit to Operate covers tattoo, body piercing and microblading studios. Body piercing studios are additionally governed by 64 CSR 80.

   Official government source

   $200 flat operating permit fee, set by statute at WV Code §16-38-6(e) and collected by the local board of health; plus the one-time $30 WV business registration certificate·2–6 weeks (the board must attempt inspection within 10 days of request; a 30-day temporary permit may be issued in the interim)

   $200 flat operating permit fee, set by statute at WV Code §16-38-6(e) and collected by the local board of health; plus the one-time $30 WV business registration certificate

   2–6 weeks (the board must attempt inspection within 10 days of request; a 30-day temporary permit may be issued in the interim)

2. City of Charleston Office of the City Collector — Business Registration / General Business License

   Charleston requires businesses within city limits to register with the Office of the City Collector and obtain a General Business License (flat $20 fee), plus pay the city's Business & Occupation (B&O) privilege tax on gross receipts (rate varies by classification) and a City Service Fee of $3/week per employee working within city limits. Renewed annually and displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• West Virginia Department of Health — Tattoo/Body Piercing Permit
• City of Charleston Business License Division

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