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Body Art: Tattoo and Body Piercing

In order to decrease the risk of the transfer of blood-borne diseases - such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV - all City of Milwaukee tattoo establishments are licensed and inspected.

Requirements / Information for Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishments

Establishment Licensing

Tattoo/Body Piercing establishment licenses are processed by the Milwaukee City Clerk's License Division.

Artist/Piercer Licensing

Tattooist/Body Piercer practitioner licenses are issued by The State of Wisconsin.

Registered Sharps Collection Facilities

Visit the WI DNR Website for information about sharps collection.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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  How old to I have to be to get a tattoo?

No person under the age of 18 is allowed to receive a tattoo in the State of WI. It is the artists responsibility to verify age and have the client complete a consent form that must be held for record for at least 2 years.

  Is the artist working in a licensed facility and are they approved to tattoo?

All facilities must be inspected by the City of Milwaukee Health Dept, and must obtain a City of Milwaukee Tattoo Establishment License. Each practitioner is required to hold a State of WI license as well. The licenses should be publicly posted and/or available upon request. No private home operations are allowed.

Temporary tattoo events
All temporary event tattoo booths operating in the City of Milwaukee must obtain a license to operate and must follow the same sanitation requirements expected as a permanent tattoo operation.

  For my safety as a client, is there proper sanitization and sterilization practices on-site?

All permanent establishments and temporary event tattoo booths must have proper handwashing available with soap and disposable hand towels.

The client station should be free and clear of food, smoking, and non-procedural items, and have smooth cleanable equipment and surfaces within the treatment room.

  Is the artist practicing safe, sanitary techniques during the procedure?

The artist must wash hands and place disposable gloves on prior to the procedure. Any time there is a break in session, or non-procedural items are handled (cell phones, door handles, food/drink, etc.) gloves must be removed, discarded, and hands must be washed between.

All surfaces must be sanitized with EPA-approved bacteriocidal and virucidal disinfectants and covered with disposable clear wraps or bibs.

Skin must be prepped and sterilized with antiseptics, and any items touching the skin are single use only (gauze, towels, disposable razors, transfer paper, ink caps, etc.)

Tattoo needles and ink tubes must be presented in sealed packages with sterilization date, and opened in front of client prior to procedure. Sharp objects must be discarded in an approved sharps container on-site.

While it is not required in the State of WI, it is recommended that artists obtain a certificate in Bloodborne Pathogen Training for education on the transmission of skin infections and bloodborne diseases.

  What do I do once the tattoo is complete?

It is the artists responsibility to provide aftercare instructions in verbal and written form. Follow the instructions and if concern for infection occurs, contact the artist and seek immediate medical treatment.

**If you suspect an artist is working in an unsafe, unsanitary condition and/or in an unlicensed facility, please contact the City of Milwaukee Health Department at 414-286-3674 to initiate an investigation.

City of Milwaukee Health Department

Consumer Environmental Health


email: [email protected]


  414-286-3674


 Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway, Room 304, Milwaukee, WI 53202


 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM


Frequently asked questions

Open AllClose All
  How old do you have to be to get a tattoo?

No person under the age of 18 is allowed to receive a tattoo in the State of WI. It is the artists responsibility to verify age and have the client complete a consent form that must be held for record for at least 2 years.

  Is the artist working in a licensed facility and are they approved to tattoo?

All facilities must be inspected by the City of Milwaukee Health Department, and must obtain a City of Milwaukee Tattoo Establishment License. Each practitioner is required to hold a State of WI license as well. The licenses should be publicly posted and/or available upon request. No private home operations are allowed.

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