Expert: Tattoo Betty (Professional Tattoo Artist) - 4/29/2004

Question
hello, what do i need to do to become a licensed tattoo artist in Calif. How much $ and what all does it entail. I want to know all details. thank you for your time

Answer
Hi Zee! Thanks for your interest in the industry. In order to become a licensed tattoo artist in any state, you first have to complete an apprenticeship. The best way to find one is to take your art portfolio around to all the shops in your local area and ask if they are accepting apprentices. When you go in, check THEM out. Make sure they are clean, sterile, knowledgeable and that you can work with them easily. Most shops charge anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 for an apprenticeship (kind of like community college tuition), depending on the master tattoo artist. Apprenticeships last from two to three years, the first year is mostly watching, doing the grunt work around the shop, and getting familiar with terms and the tattooing environment. The second year is usually practicing on grapefruits, pigskin, fake skin, etc., and then eventually your friends, and then the third year you would be working on actual clients, moving up from small, simple tattoos to whatever you're ready for next. Normally, you would not get paid for the first year or two, but some shops will actually pay their apprentices, or let them work off the tuition instead of paying it up front. You have to starve for a while first, but it eventually pays the bills.

There are supply companies that sell to people who are not shop-affiliated. It's usually cheap equipment and not high quality. I recommend against just buying equipment out of a magazine and practicing at home for several reasons. First, you need to be familiar with the industry environment and etiquette, and the only way to do that is to be exposed to it full-time. Second, you HAVE to be trained in disease prevention and blood-borne pathogens, with specific attention regarding the tattoo industry. Third, you need to identify and learn specific techniques as far as actually putting pigment into the skin, so that you don't start out hurting people until you get it right. These are all things that you will learn during you apprenticeship.

I don't know how willing you would be to relocate, but if you attend some tattoo conventions, you are bound to find a master to take you on. It just may not be local, but it's a good way into the business.

Now, as far as state-to-state standards and requirements go, I am not certain of California's specifics. In Texas, an artist can tattoo under the shop's license, however, they are about to change legislation that would require us all to be individually licensed. If your state requires individual licensing, you will have to pay for it yourself, but you can take it with you to whatever shop you work for. Here in TX, a license is around $500 per year. You can check with your local health department to get specific requirements on licensure.

Good luck, Zee!! I hope this information helps you. If all goes well, perhaps we'll see each other at Nationals in the future!!!