Legal status of tattooing in the United States

In the United States of America there is no federal law regulating the practice of tattooing.

[1] However, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have statutory laws requiring a person receiving a tattoo be at least 18 years old.

Most states permit a person under the age of 18 to receive a tattoo with permission of a parent or guardian, but some states prohibit tattooing under a certain age regardless of permission, with the exception of medical necessity (such as markings placed for radiation therapy).

In all jurisdictions, individual tattooers may also choose to place additional restrictions based on their own moral feelings, such as refusing any clients under a specific age even with parental consent, or limiting the type and/or location of where they are willing to tattoo (such as refusing any work around certain parts of the body).

Tattooers sometimes claim their personal business restrictions are a matter of law, even when it is not true, so as to avoid arguments with clients.

[3] State Board of Health rules on Body Art Practices and Facilities.

§381.075[7] Minors may be body pierced with written parental consent[25] Physicians and Osteopaths or technicians working under their direct supervision can give minors tattoos or produce scars for "medical or cosmetic purposes.

[77] Scarification and dermal implants are prohibited[78] Persons with sunburns or skin diseases or disorders cannot be tattooed or pierced.

[78] Piercing on testes, deep shaft (corpus cavernosa), uvula, eyelids and sub-clavicle are all prohibited.

§ 679.500[7] Health Licensing Office Rules, especially Divisions 900, 905, 915 & 920[78] RI Gen L § 11-9-15[82] S.C. Code § 44-34-10 to 44-34-110[89] S.D.

[97] Minors may, with parent/guardian consent, be tattooed to cover up an existing tattoo that has offensive, gang-related, or drug-related content, or "other words, symbols, or markings that the person's parent or guardian considers would be in the best interest of the person to cover"[101] Tongue splitting prohibited.

[106] Health Commissioner can impose a fine of up to $5000 on artists & shops for each violation[107] Vermont Administrative Rule 20-4-18.

[113] Civic/local governments are empowered to regulate tattoo and body piercing establishments.