Body Art - Tattooing and Body Piercing
Statewide health regulations for tattooing and body piercing are currently being developed by the New York State Department of Health under the statutory authority of Public Health Law Article 4A. The law authorizes the Commissioner of Health to develop regulations establishing operating standards, fees, fines and penalties for failure to abide by the regulations. The law requires tattoo and body piercing operators to obtain a permit in order to operate a tattoo or body piercing studio and for all tattoo and piercing artists to obtain an individual permit.
Until the new regulations are in place, local regulations, if any, apply. For more information on regulations in your area, contact your county or city health department.
Risks associated with tattooing and body piercing
Tattooing and body piercing carry risks of infection and bloodborne disease transmission. For more information, go to:
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information and advice for tattoo artists, body piercers and their clients
- US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) information "Think Before You Ink"
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Information on Safety and Health Topic: Bloodborne Infectious Diseases HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus
- New York State DOH information on Viral Hepatitis
Tattooing of minors is against the law
It is violation of section 260.21 of New York State Penal Law to tattoo minors under the age of 18, regardless of parental consent. Contact local law enforcement for more information.
If you get a tattoo, make sure that the tattooist
- Washes their hands before tattooing and uses clean gloves
- Cleans the skin to be tattooed
- Uses a single-use, disposable razor to shave the skin to be tattooed, if needed
- Uses single-use sterile needles and tubes and single-use inks
- Covers the tattooed skin with a bandage and provides aftercare instructions
If you get a body piercing, make sure that the piercer
- Washes their hands before piercing and uses clean gloves
- Cleans the area to be pierced
- Uses a single-use, disposable razor to shave the skin to be pierced, if needed
- Uses sterile needles, clamps, receiving tubes and body jewelry
- Provides aftercare instructions
Related Links
- FDA information on tattooing and permanent makeup
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides information for artists
- New York State Department of Health information on Latex Allergy
- New York State Department of Health information on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
- Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA)
Contact Information / Questions or Comments
New York State Department of HealthCenter for Environmental Health
Bureau of Community Environmental Health & Food Protection
547 River Street, Room 515
Troy, NY 12180-2216
(518) 402-7600 or (800)-458-1158
e-mail: bcehfp@health.state.ny.us
