Tattoo Artist / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts Tattoo Artist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

PlainCredential home → About this data

Performs tattooing and permanent makeup. Licensed in most states.

What the Massachusetts data shows for Tattoo Artists

To practice as a tattoo artist in Massachusetts, the state licensing board requires 1,500 documented education or training hours, a passing score on a state-approved exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. The regulation sits under Massachusetts's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Budget $75 to get started on a 2-year cycle. Massachusetts doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

Massachusetts 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 · Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tattoo Artist in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts's requirements cover 1500 hours of education or training, a state exam, and an initial fee of $75. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Tattoo Artist in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts licenses tattoo artists who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Massachusetts licensing board.
Can I transfer my Tattoo Artist license to Massachusetts from another state? ▼
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Tattoo Artist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for tattoo artist licensing in Massachusetts. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this tattoo artist license

Tattoo Artist in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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.