About Body Art

Body art, such as tattooing, piercing, and branding have been practiced for hundreds of years all over the world. More recently, permanent makeup such as microblading and micropigmentation are other types of body art activities added to the industry. In body art, the artist, also called a practitioner, uses various tools such as needles and ink to change the skin of their client. For example, a tattoo or permanent makeup artist typically uses an electric handheld machine to insert ink into the outer layer of skin. Some body art is permanent, though some can be removed.

Each practitioner is required to register with the County of Los Angeles, refer to the Body Art Practitioner Registration Process section below.

Body art can pose a risk to both the practitioner and the client receiving the art. The greatest risks are from local infections at the site of the body art, the spread of infectious diseases, and specifically the spread of bloodborne pathogens or diseases that are passed through infected blood such as Hepatitis B and C.

Rules and regulations are in place to protect the practitioner, the client, and public health in general. The California Safe Body Art Act provides minimum standards to use proper body art procedures and control of cross-contamination of instruments and equipment for body art to protect practitioners and clients from transmitting diseases.

Public Health registers body art practitioners and permits body art facilities to ensure they comply with the California Safe Body Art Act in Los Angeles County.

Safe Body Art Act

If you have a body art business located in Los Angeles County, you are required to obtain a Public Health Permit/License in order to operate the business. Please note: The cities of Pasadena, Long Beach, or Vernon operate their own health department and should be contacted if your business is located within one of those cities.

Application Process

Body Art Practitioner Registration Requirements

All Body Art Practitioners ("artists") must be over the age of 18, must register with their local agency, and perform body art at a permitted facility. Registrations are only valid within Los Angeles County and may only be used outside of Los Angeles County as limited in California Health and Safety Code. To register with the County of Los Angeles you must provide the following:

By Mail

Completed and signed application, along with required documents, and fee may be mailed to:

Attention: Body Art Program
Environmental Health Headquarters
5050 Commerce Drive
Baldwin Park, CA 91706

Make Check, Cashier's Check, or Money Order payable to: County of Los Angeles

Do not mail cash.

In Person

Contact Body Art Program at (626) 430-5570 to make an appointment. Appointments are available from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

At the time of appointment

  • Bring completed application packet
  • Pay application fees

Body Art Facility

All Body Art Facilities, such as tattoo parlors, piercing shops, permanent makeup businesses, and microblading businesses, must have a Public Health Permit. Please visit our Body Art Events Frequently Asked Question page

For a New or Remodeling a Body Art Facility, submit the following:

For Change of Ownership of an Existing Body Art Facility, submit the following:

For more information regarding plan check, please review: Body Art Facility Plan Check Guideline

Body Art Temporary Event

A Public Health Permit is required to operate a Body Art Temporary Events and the body art practitioners participating in the event must have Public Health Permits.

For your convenience, we've prepare our Temporary Body Art Facility Requirements Checklist to help you meet the requirements.

To host and/or participate in a Body Art Temporary Event, review and submit the following:

Mobile Body Art Facility

A Public Health Permit is required to operate a mobile body art facility. Please contact the Body Art Program at (626) 430-5570 or bodyartprogram@ph.lacounty.gov for more information.

Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training Provider

If you are interested in becoming an approved bloodborne pathogens exposure control course provider for the County of Los Angeles, refer to the training provider course requirements , then complete and submit the following:

Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training Provider will need to renew their training certification every three (3) years. If you are already a course provider for the County of Los Angeles and need to update business, owner, billing/mailing, or training website information, complete and submit Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Training Provider Update Form.

Refer to Fee Schedule

Tattoo: the insertion of pigment in human skin tissue by piercing with a needle.

Body piercing: the creation of an opening in a human body for the purpose of inserting jewelry or other decoration.

Permanent Cosmetics: the application of pigments in human skin tissue for the purpose of permanently changing the color or other appearance of the skin. This includes microblading, micropigmentation, lip liner tattoos, and similar procedures.

Branding: the process in which a mark or marks are burned into human skin tissue with a hot iron or other instrument with the intention of leaving a permanent scar.

Report a Problem

Problems at body art facilities can be reported by calling Public Health at (800) 777-9995 or reporting via Environmental Health Online Complaint System. Public Health will not ask you about your immigration status and you can file a report without giving your name.

Contact Us

Monday - Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm

Cashier hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm

Tel: (626) 430-5570
Email: bodyartprogram@ph.lacounty.gov

County of Los Angeles Public Health
Environmental Health
Community Health Program
5050 Commerce Drive
Baldwin Park, CA 91706