Body Piercer / Kentucky
2026 data Kentucky board official source

Kentucky Body Piercer License Requirements

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

Performs body piercing. Licensed in most states for health/safety.

What the Kentucky data shows for Body Piercers

Kentucky sets the entry bar for body piercers at 1,500 training hours and a passing score on a state-approved exam. A background check is a standard part of the process. The credential is administered under Kentucky's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Budget $75 to get started on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Kentucky, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Kentucky handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Body Piercer · Kentucky

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,500 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Kentucky

Education / Training Hours
Cosmetology School
1,500 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Kentucky licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Body Piercer in Kentucky?
Kentucky requires 1500 education/training hours, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $75. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Body Piercer in Kentucky?
Kentucky licenses body piercers who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Kentucky licensing board.
Can I transfer my Body Piercer license to Kentucky from another state?
There's no published blanket reciprocity rule for body piercers in Kentucky - applications from other states are reviewed individually. Interstate licensing compacts cover many occupations and may still apply. Reach out to the Kentucky licensing board for the current process.
Does Kentucky require a background check for Body Piercer licensing?
Kentucky does require a background check before issuing a body piercer license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

What to do with this body piercer license

Body Piercer in Kentucky is one requirement row in a body piercer-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Kentucky's body piercer requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Body Piercer in every state
  • Read the general portability rules before moving an existing license to a new state. Transfer guide
  • See how Kentucky's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Kentucky overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Kentucky licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.