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Board of Body Art Practitioners

How to Get Licensed: Tattooing
Application Requirements
Tattoo
  • Submit proof of being 18+ years of age and complete and submit an application form and pay appropriate fees.

  • Submit proof of having a high school diploma or General Education Degree (GED)

  • Submit documentation of having completed blood borne pathogens training from an agency approved provider.

  • Submit documentation of having completed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid training from an agency approved provider.

  • Provide documentation of completing a qualifying pathway (see below).


CPR, First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogens Training
Blood borne pathogen courses must be compliant with U.S. Federal guidelines 29 CFR 1910.1030 and may be obtained through hands-on, online or blended course instruction. 

These courses may be provided under endorsement of the American Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council, American Safety and Health Institute, National Care and Safety Institute, Medic First Aid, providers listed with the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), and/or a provider (or course) specifically approved by the OHLA.

CPR and First Aid certification courses must be obtained through hands-on training, or blended training that includes a hands-on skills assessment examination for certification. Course provider certifications for these courses must include an evaluator/instructor name and authorization number on the certification card.
 
These courses must be provided by an instructor authorized to provide this training through the American Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council, American Safety and Health Institute, National Care and Safety Institute, Medic First Aid, and/or providers listed with the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS) provided that the training is a hands-on or blended course with an on-site skills evaluation prior to certification.
 
Pathway 1: Oregon School
Applicant must graduate from a Oregon licensed tattooing career school after completing the following required training:
  • Completion of approved training program including 360 hours of training (210 theory/150 practical), chairside supervision under a licensed tattoo artist.

  • Must have documentation showing a minimum of 50 completed procedures (which means "a tattoo which has been finished, including any touchups or additional work following initial healing and the client is released from service")

  • Training must be conducted by an Oregon licensed tattoo artist registered as a teacher by the Department of Education, Private Career Schools.

  • A registered teacher must provide direct supervision of practical training on a one-to-one student/teacher ratio for students performing practical training while the student is working on the general public. Direct supervision means the teacher is present and actively involved in direct oversight and training of students.

  • Licensed tattoo schools must submit official transcripts directly to the Oregon Health Licensing Agency.

  • Take and pass both written and practical examinations

 
Pathway 2: Reciprocity
  • Submit an affidavit of licensure demonstrating proof of current license, which is active with no current or pending disciplinary action, as a tattoo artist.  The licensing must be substantially equivalent to Oregon licensing requirements.Or if not substantially equivalent the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the agency that the applicant has been employed or working as a tattoo artist full time for three of the last five years.

  • Pay examination fees

  • Submit passing score of an approved written examination

 
Examinations
Written/Skills Assessment
Applicants must complete and pass both a written and skills assessment examination.
 
Candidate Examination Blueprint for Tattoo Arts 

Identification Requirements
Applicants are required to produce two forms of original identification issued by a federal, state or local government agency of the United States at the time of examination.  One of the forms must be photographic.
 
Click here for more information on identification requirements. 

 
Examination Retake Policy
Applicants who fail the written examination after one or more attempts must wait seven days or more before retaking the examination.
 
After the third and sixth failed attempts, applicants must obtain additional training from an Oregon educational institution. 
 
Click here to review the requirements for retaking the written examination, including recertification of training. 

 
License Renewal
Renew online 
 
  • Tattooing licenses are valid for one year.

  • Licensees receive a renewal form in the mail approximately 45 days prior to the license entering inactive status.

  • Licensees must attest on the renewal form that they have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation from an approved provider, current first aid training from an approved provider, and current certification in blood borne pathogens training from an approved provider.

  • Licensees must also attest upon renewal that they have obtained required continuing education.  Click here for more information on continuing education.

  • Renew your license online.