Tattoo Artist / Montana
2026 data Montana board official source

Montana Tattoo Artist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Performs tattooing and permanent makeup. Licensed in most states.

What the Montana data shows for Tattoo Artists

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

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

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

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Montana

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tattoo Artist in Montana? ▼
Montana 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 Montana? ▼
Montana licenses tattoo artists who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Montana licensing board.
Can I transfer my Tattoo Artist license to Montana from another state? ▼
Out-of-state tattoo artist credentials get a case-by-case review in Montana rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Montana licensing board.
Does Montana require a background check for Tattoo Artist licensing? ▼
Yes, Montana requires a criminal background check as part of the tattoo artist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this tattoo artist license

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

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

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