Tattoo Artist / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota Tattoo Artist License Requirements

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

Performs tattooing and permanent makeup. Licensed in most states.

What the North Dakota data shows for Tattoo Artists

North Dakota 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 North Dakota'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 North Dakota, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Tattoo Artist · North Dakota

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 North Dakota

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tattoo Artist in North Dakota?
North Dakota'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 North Dakota?
Certification as a tattoo artist in North Dakota means clearing the state's checklist: 1500 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The North Dakota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Tattoo Artist license to North Dakota from another state?
Out-of-state tattoo artist credentials get a case-by-case review in North Dakota rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the North Dakota licensing board.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Tattoo Artist licensing?
North Dakota 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.

What to do with this tattoo artist license

Tattoo Artist in North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.