Tattoo Artist / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania data shows for Tattoo Artists

To practice as a tattoo artist in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

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

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

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Pennsylvania

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tattoo Artist in Pennsylvania? ▼
In Pennsylvania, the license path calls for 1500 education/training hours, a passing exam score, and a $75 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Tattoo Artist in Pennsylvania? ▼
Certification as a tattoo artist in Pennsylvania means clearing the state's checklist: 1500 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Tattoo Artist license to Pennsylvania from another state? ▼
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Tattoo Artist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for tattoo artist licensing in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.