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Tattoos and Piercings

The service of placing a tattoo or piercing on the body of a person for aesthetic or cosmetic purposes falls collectively under the term “body art”. As of October 6, 2023, the construction, permitting, and operation of body art establishments, as well as the licensing of artists, are governed by the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Body Art Rules. By October 6, 2024, all body artists currently licensed under our local rule will need to pass a DPH Body Art exam and obtain a new state-wide artist license. Unlike our locally issued license, the new state body artist license will be recognized and accepted by health departments throughout the state for those working in permitted body art studios.

Below you will find requirements related to body art studio permitting and artist licensing. If you have further questions, please contact your local Environmental Health Office or visit the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Body Art webpage.

Requirements for Permitting a Body Art Establishment

Please note that the requirements for permitting a Body Art Studio include the submission of the following:

Forward completed applications and noted documentation to the applicable County office:

Cobb Public Health Center for Environmental Health
1738 County Services Pkwy.,
Marietta, Georgia 30008
(770) 435-7815

Douglas Public Health Center for Environmental Health
8700 Hospital Drive, 1st Floor
Douglasville, Georgia 30134
(770) 920-7311

Requirements for Obtaining a Body Artist License

To begin the body artist licensing process, you must first take the exam for each service you wish to provide (Tattooing, Piercing, and/or Microblading) at your local Environmental Health office. The fee for each exam is $50. Each exam is based on the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Body Art Rules, which should be reviewed as a study guide in preparation for your scheduled exam date. Upon successful completion of your exam(s), your results will be sent to the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), and you will be contacted by email to initiate the remainder of the licensing process. The following items will be required by DPH to complete the licensing process:

  • A completed Body Art License Application (emailed to you by DPH)
  • Certificates indicating the successful completion of First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens/Universal Precautions, and CPR trainings
  • A government-issued ID
  • A signed and notarized residency verification form (provided by DPH)
  • Hepatitis B vaccination status document or a signed declination

To schedule a time and date to complete your exam(s), please call the appropriate office:

Cobb Environmental Health
1738 County Services Parkway, 2nd Floor
Marietta, Georgia 30008
770-435-7815

Douglas Environmental Health
8700 Hospital Drive, 1st Floor
Douglasville, Georgia 30134
770-920-7311

Body Art Program Fee Schedule

Plan Review

  • Plan Review (New Facility):  $250
  • Plan Review for Existing Facility (New Owner or Remodel):
    • No Changes:  $110
    • Minor Changes (equipment relocation and/or additions):  $175
    • Major Changes (structural changes):  $235
  • Plan Resubmittal:  $110

Inspections

  • Annual Inspection:  $410
  • Temporary Event Inspection (1 – 4 Days):  $105
  • Temporary Event Inspection (5 – 7 Days) :  $155

Body Artist Licensing

  • Body Art Exam Fee:  $50
  • Guest Body Artist License:  $105