Tattoo Artist / Rhode Island
2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island Tattoo Artist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

PlainCredential home → About this data

Performs tattooing and permanent makeup. Licensed in most states.

What the Rhode Island data shows for Tattoo Artists

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

The initial price tag is $75 every 2 years. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Rhode Island, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

Rhode Island 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 · Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tattoo Artist in Rhode Island? ▼
In Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island licenses tattoo artists who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Rhode Island licensing board.
Can I transfer my Tattoo Artist license to Rhode Island from another state? ▼
Out-of-state tattoo artist credentials get a case-by-case review in Rhode Island rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Rhode Island licensing board.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Tattoo Artist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the tattoo artist licensing process in Rhode Island. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.

Related Guides

What to do with this tattoo artist license

Tattoo Artist in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.