Tattooing, Body Piercing, and Permanent Cosmetics

As part of The California Safe Body Art Act, the Environmental Health Division regulates individual body art practitioners by requiring registration with the City. In addition, body art facilities are required to obtain a permit to operate as a fixed facility, as well as a temporary facility at special events. Refer to the Body Art Application Packet to apply for a permit or to complete a practitioner registration.

New Registrations

All individual body art practitioners in the City are required to register and pay an annual fee. These are the steps to follow: 

1. Obtain certification from an approved Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Training Class within the past year.
2. Complete Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination Form or provide proof of vaccination.
3. Complete and submit the body art practitioner application form.
4. Provide a color copy of driver’s license or government-issued identification (front and back).
5. Submit all required documentation (items from steps 1 – 4) either via email to Environmental Health Body Art or you may send the documentation to our office:
   
   2180 Milvia St., 2nd Floor
   Berkeley, CA  94704
   Attn: Body Art Program
   
   Within seven days after submittal, you should  receive notification of your application status with additional instructions on fees.

Existing Practitioners

An annual billing invoice will be sent to your mailing address. Your Bloodborne Pathogen Certification will likewise require annual renewal. When remitting payment for annual renewal:

1. Follow the payment instructions on your bill.
2. Renew your Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Training Class and submit certificate either via email to Environmental Health Body Art, or mail to our office:
   
   2180 Milvia St., 2nd Floor
   Berkeley, CA  94704
   Attn: Body Art Program
   
   Please be sure to include your Permit Number and the name of the facility. 

If you no longer practice at a body art facility in Berkeley, you must notify our office. Otherwise you will continue to receive annual renewal notices.

Facility Permit

A separate permit with an annual fee is required for every tattoo/body facility. New facilities require a Plan Review from the City. A copy of the Body Plan Art Facility Check Guidelines provides information on the plan check process for Environmental Health.  

It is also the responsibility of the applicant to contact the other City departments for permitting requirements such as Planning/Zoning, Building and Safety, and Business Licensing. 

Submit plans and plan check deposit to the City’s Permit Service Center.