Body Piercer / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Body Piercer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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

What the Tennessee data shows for Body Piercers

Tennessee 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 Tennessee's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

The initial price tag is $75 every 2 years. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Tennessee, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

There's no published reciprocity list here - Tennessee reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Tennessee

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

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Body Piercer All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Body Piercer in Tennessee? ▼
In Tennessee, the license path calls for 1500 education/training hours, a passing exam score, and a $75 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Body Piercer in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee licenses body piercers who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Tennessee licensing board.
Can I transfer my Body Piercer license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
Tennessee doesn't publish a standing reciprocity policy for body piercers; each out-of-state application is reviewed on its own merits. Some professions fall under interstate compacts that ease portability regardless. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Body Piercer licensing? ▼
Tennessee 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.

Related Guides

What to do with this body piercer license

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

  • See how Tennessee'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 Tennessee's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Tennessee overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee 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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.