Tattoo Artist / Colorado
2026 data Colorado board category estimate

Colorado Tattoo Artist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Category-average requirements, fees, and renewal figures for tattoo artist in Colorado, pending confirmation with the state licensing board.

Category estimate. The figures on this page are a category average, not yet confirmed with the Colorado licensing board. The state and profession tables mark this row the same way. Treat the numbers as directional and check the board before relying on them; see the methodology limitations.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Performs tattooing and permanent makeup. Licensed in most states.

What the Colorado data shows for Tattoo Artists

Colorado's path to tattoo artist licensure runs through 1,500 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. Colorado folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, 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 Colorado, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Colorado evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Tattoo Artist · Colorado

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 Colorado

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 Tattoo Artist All Colorado licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tattoo Artist in Colorado? ▼
Colorado 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 Tattoo Artist in Colorado? ▼
Certification as a tattoo artist in Colorado means clearing the state's checklist: 1500 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Colorado licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Tattoo Artist license to Colorado from another state? ▼
Colorado evaluates out-of-state tattoo artist licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the Colorado licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does Colorado require a background check for Tattoo Artist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the tattoo artist licensing process in Colorado. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.

Related Guides

What to do with this tattoo artist license

Tattoo Artist in Colorado is one requirement row in a tattoo artist-wide, 50-state comparison.

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