How do you get licensed to do tattoos in Louisiana?

Answer 1

there are several hurdles you must overcome. First, to be a tattoo artist in Louisiana, you must be licensed, however, you can not be licensed unless you work in a tattoo shop. All licenses are granted through the Department of Health and Hospitals. You must be certified in CPR, First Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogens Training. Depending on what city or parish you are in, the zoning laws are different. As an example, in Jefferson Parish (we dont have counties in Louisiana, we have a Parish), anyway, in Jefferson Parish, to have a Tattoo Shop/Studio, it can only be located in an area Zoned C-2, or, commercial grade 2, in addition to that, there are more restrictions, you can not be within a 1000 foot radius (thats about 3 1/3 football fields), anyway, CAN NOT BE WITHIN 1000 FOOT RADIUS FROM ANY OUTSIDE WALL OF THE BUILDING YOU ARE IN, OF ANY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT OR DWELLING, NEITHER CAN YOU BE WITHIN 1000 FEET OF ANY CHURCH, SCHOOL, PLAYGROUND, HOSPITAL, LIBRARY, DAY CARE CENTER, SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER, RECREATIONAL AREA, STATE PARK, OR ANY OTHER ADULT ESTABLISHMENT. so basically, you can not open any new tattoo studios in Jefferson Parish, because, there is no place that can possilby meet that criteria. But, to be sure, legally, you can not tattoo out of your house, because tattooing is only allowed in licensed commercial body art facilities, which are licensed through the state board of health, and tattoo shops (commercial body art facilities) must be inspected by the board of health and that criteria does not mean tattooing at your kitchen table, or in a room in your house. A shop must be licensed, in a commercial area, and all individual artists must be licensed, and no individual can have a license unless he or she is attached to a shop, since all licenses are issued to that specific shop. If you work at one shop, quit and go work at another shop, you have to change your license information. The only way to learn to tattoo, is to get yourself an apprenticeship through a legally licensed and qualified tattoo shop that already exists. hope that helps you.