Body Art
Establishment Information
Currently-licensed Establishments
Data in the sheet linked below lists all body art establishments under the regulation of the Minnesota Department of Health.
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 146B.2, subdivision 9, an establishment may be exempt from the state licensure requirement if it is located within a county or municipal jurisdiction with an enacted ordinance which meets or exceeds Chapter 146B requirements.
Establishments located in Anoka, Hennepin, and Steele counties and the cities of Minneapolis, Maplewood, Brooklyn Park, Bloomington, Richfield, and Edina are not regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health. Please contact the county or city offices for establishments in these areas for more information.
New Establishments
If you want to open a body art establishment in the State of Minnesota, you will need to fill out the Body Art Establishment Application (PDF).
You will want to make sure you are in an MDH-regulated area. MDH does not regulate facilities in the following locations: Anoka, Hennepin, and Steele counties and the cities of Minneapolis, Maplewood, Brooklyn Park, Bloomington, Richfield, and Edina. The fee for a body art establishment license is $1,500 (effective July 1, 2017).
If you would like to apply for a body art establishment license, you must:
- provide a floor plan of the establishment, including equipment placement;
- provide floors, walls, and ceiling finishes;
- proof of compliance with local zoning and building ordinances and codes;
- provide name of infections/hazardous waste hauler/plan;
- provide documentation of LLC or filing with the Secretary of State's Office;
- provide tax ID information;
- provide all employee information;
- fill out the Body Art Establishment Application (PDF);
- pay the fee of $1,500 made payable to "Treasurer, State of Minnesota."
Length of Licensure: Establishment licenses are valid for up to two years (effective July 1, 2017). All establishment licenses expire on September 30th. The first renewal fee will be a prorated amount based upon the month your license was issued.
Provisional Status: All initial establishment MDH licenses are issued as provisional. That status will remain in effect until your establishment has been inspected and approved by MDH staff. To help you prepare for your inspection, please refer to the Body Art Establishment Inspection Checklist (PDF). (NOTE: This form is subject to change.) During the inspection process, the inspector will note any deficiencies in your establishment and you will be given a specified period of time in which to correct the deficiency. Failure to correct a deficiency may result in the shutdown of your establishment.
Relevant Statutes: Minnesota Body Art Licensing Statutes
Renewals
Establishment Documents
Editable Versions
Intended for establishment owners to adapt and use as their own:
- Tattoo and Piercing Informed Consent and Health Disclosure Form (Word)
- Permanent Cosmetic Informed Consent and Health Disclosure Form (Word)
Non-Editable Versions
Accessible version for use by screen reader users:
- Tattoo and Piercing Informed Consent and Health Disclosure Form (PDF)
- Permanent Cosmetic Informed Consent and Health Disclosure Form (PDF)
License Closure
Providers who are closing their license should fill out the form below and submit it to MDH.