Tattoo and Body Piercing Inspections
The Northern Kentucky Health Department regularly inspects all tattoo studios, body piercing studios, ear piercing studios, and facilities providing permanent makeup in Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton Counties.
All tattoo studios, body piercing studios, ear piercing studios and facilities providing permanent make-up must apply for a permit through NKY Health and submit the applicable fee ($400 annually for all facilities with up to four work stations; $50 for each additional work station), except for ear piercing, which is $200 with up to four work stations ($50 for each additional work station) per year.
In addition, tattoo artists, body piercers, and ear piercers must be certified by NKY Health if they are providing services in Boone, Campbell, Grant, or Kenton counties. After certification, they are required to register every year.
New Construction or Remodeling
All new or remodeled facilities must also undergo a plan review. For more information on plan review, please contact Ted Talley at ted.talley@nkyhealth.org or call 859-363-2027.
Individual Certification/Registration
All persons engaged in the practice of tattooing — including microblading and cosmetic tattooing or body/ear piercing — in Boone, Campbell, Grant, or Kenton counties in Kentucky must be certified by NKY Health. After certification, they are required to register every year. To apply for certification or yearly registration, please fill out the Application for Registration/Certification.
For tattoo, body piercing, and permanent makeup questions, please contact Kevin Kellner at Kevin.Kellner@nkyhealth.org or call 859-363-2017 between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Blood-borne pathogen training
Blood-borne pathogen education is required for all licensed tattoo and body piercing artists in Northern Kentucky. Artists are required to attend classes, or document that they’ve attended and passed an approved class. The Health Department offer classes regularly. For information on upcoming classes, please call 859-341-4151. Download the application for the Health Department’s class.
Frequently asked questions
I received services at a tattoo studio, body piercing studio, ear piercing studio, or facility providing permanent makeup in Northern Kentucky, and I have a health concern related to this. What should I do?
The Health Department investigates complaints about sanitation and safety issues in tattoo studios, body piercing studios, ear piercing studios, or facilities providing permanent makeup. Complaints can be submitted online or by calling 859-341-4151. Please note that it may be a few days before your complaint will be investigated.
I already have a permit for this year. How do I renew it for next year?
Permits are good for the calendar year. Existing facilities should automatically get a renewal application, typically in the fall.
I’m opening my establishment late in the year. Is the permit fee pro-rated?
Unfortunately, permit fees are not pro-rated.
An emergency has impacted an establishment. What should they do?
When emergency situations occur that affect the ability to operate, such as fire, extended power outages, and water service interruptions, the establishment should suspend its operations and notify the Health Department.
Inspections
The main purpose of these inspections is to reduce the risk of disease transmission, as these procedures often involve a break in the skin that could lead to exposure to disease such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV, among other infections.
Most facilities are inspected at least twice per year. Inspectors look for a variety of items, including:
- Is the facility clean?
- Is equipment sterilized properly?
- Are needles only used once, and then properly disposed of?
- Do staff follow proper hygienic practices, such as washing hands as needed and wearing gloves when required?
- Has staff taken the required blood-borne pathogen training?
- Does the facility require written consent for procedures done on individuals under 18?
Below are the latest body art inspection scores. Please keep in mind the inspection scores only represent the conditions present at the time of the inspection. Conditions in a body art establishment can change from hour-to-hour and day-to-day.
View Boone County inspection scores
View Campbell County inspection scores
View Grant County inspection scores
View Kenton County inspection scores
More information
Copies of inspection reports are available to the public upon written request. Please call 859-341-4151 for more details.