Tattoo Artist License

• A tattoo artist in Minnesota must have a state-issued license that grants him the right to perform body art. A qualified applicant must be over age 18, must pay the applicable fee, must complete the required coursework and must provide proof that he has at least 200 hours of supervised tattooing experience. A licensed physician, licensed nurse, licensed chiropractor, licensed acupuncturist, licensed physician's assistant and a licensed dental professional are not required to have a tattoo license in order to perform body art.
  
  

Tattoo Establishments

• Every tattoo establishment in Minnesota must obtain an establishment license from the commissioner. To obtain an establishment license, the owner of the establishment must complete a license application. The application must include the name of the owner and operator, the address of the establishment, the type of business and verification that the establishment is in conformance with all applicable local and state laws. The commissioner will issue a provisional license that will remain in effect until the commissioner inspects and approves the license. The establishment license is issued to a specific person and establishment and may not be transferred.
  
  

Inspection

• The commissioner has the right to inspect the establishment during the provisional period and once each year during the license period. An establishment license is valid for three years. An inspection entails a physical inspection of the premises and a review of applicable records. If an establishment owner refuses to allow the commissioner to inspect the establishment and the records, the commissioner can revoke or deny the issuance of the license.
  
  

Records

• Every establishment must keep certain information on file at the premises for three years. This information includes a description of the tattoos performed at the establishment, copies of the spore tests performed on each sterilizer and the name, address, home telephone number, date of birth, copy of the photo identification and the license number of each tattoo artists that performed body art in the establishment.