Tattoo Artist / Minnesota
2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota Tattoo Artist 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 tattooing and permanent makeup. Licensed in most states.

What the Minnesota data shows for Tattoo Artists

Minnesota sets the entry bar for tattoo artists 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 Minnesota's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Upfront cost is $75 on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Minnesota, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

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

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Minnesota

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tattoo Artist in Minnesota? ▼
Minnesota 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 Minnesota? ▼
Certification as a tattoo artist in Minnesota means clearing the state's checklist: 1500 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Minnesota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Tattoo Artist license to Minnesota from another state? ▼
Minnesota doesn't publish a standing reciprocity policy for tattoo artists; each out-of-state application is reviewed on its own merits. Some professions fall under interstate compacts that ease portability regardless. The Minnesota licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Tattoo Artist licensing? ▼
Minnesota does require a background check before issuing a tattoo artist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this tattoo artist license

Tattoo Artist in Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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.