Body Art Program
"Body art" means body piercing, tattooing, branding, or application of permanent cosmetics. All artists performing body art must obtain a Body Art Practitioner Registration to do so. Body art may only be provided in a facility with a valid body art facility permit. The Orange County Health Care Agency – Environmental Health Division (OCHCA) is the administering agency for this program.
Watch a "How To" video:
Video (English): Body Art Practitioner Registration
Available In: Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese
Video (English): Body Art Facility Permit
Available In: Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese
Body Art Practitioner Registration
Body Art Practitioner Registrations will only be issued to individuals that own or work at a body art facility with a valid permit. Body Art Practitioner Registration applicants must submit:
A completed application
A copy of a government-issued form of identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
A valid Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training certificate issued by an Orange County approved OR Los Angeles County approved training provider
Payment of the registration fee
Artists registering by email will receive their invoice and online payment information via email once their application package has been processed. Artists registering in person will make payment directly to the cashier.
Important: If you are submitting a Body Art Practitioner Registration application to Orange County for the first time, you may apply online. If you are an existing or returning Orange County body art practitioner and you are trying to renew, reinstate, or reactivate your Body Art Practitioner Registration, please contact ocbodyart@ochca.com for assistance.
Registration – Annual Renewal
Body Art Practitioner Registrations must be renewed annually. Reminder emails from ocbodyart@ochca.com are sent to artists approximately 2 months before the expiration date. Artists must reply to the email by the specified deadline AND provide all requested information, including a valid Bloodborne Pathogen training certificate. Failure to provide all required documents or reply to the reminder email before the deadline will result in expiration or inactivation. Expired and inactive registrations will be subject to a Reinstatement Fee.
Body Art Facility Permits
Body Art Facility Permit applicants must:
Submit a Body Art Facility Permit application
Pay the appropriate fee for the type(s) of service(s) offered
Applicants that submit by email will receive their invoice and online payment information via email once their application package has been processed. In-person applicants will make payment directly to the cashier.
Pass a compliance inspection and initial document review
Permit – Annual Renewal
Body Art Facility Permit invoices are automatically mailed out annually, approximately 1 month before the expiration date. Before a new permit can be issued body art facility operators must:
Pay the invoice
Schedule and pass a compliance inspection
Body Art Event Sponsor Permit application (Only 1 per event)
Body Art Booth Permit application (1 per booth)
Maximum of 2 artists per booth
Each artist must be a Registered Body Art Practitioner (see below)
Temporary Body Art Practitioner Registration application (1 per artist)
Temporary Body Art Practitioner Registration applicants must submit a completed application, copy of a government-issued form of identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.), and a valid Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training certificate issued by an Orange County approved OR Los Angeles County approved training provider, and pay the registration fee.
*Artists that are already Registered Body Art Practitioners in the State of California must submit copy of their valid registration AND a copy of their ID to OCHCA.
Body art training may occur at a facility with a valid body art facility permit OR a temporary event with a valid temporary body art permit. Students that will be working on live models during the training course must be registered to do so. Trainees must apply for a Body Art Practitioner Registration in advance.
Temporary Body Art Practitioner Registration application (1 per student)
Temporary Body Art Practitioner Registration applicants must submit a completed application, copy of a government-issued form of identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.), and a valid Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training certificate issued by an Orange County approved OR Los Angeles County approved training provider, and pay the registration fee.
Contact Us
Email: ocbodyart@ochca.com
Body Art Hotline (voicemail): 714-433-6040
All Body Art Program documents may be submitted to OCHCA:
Via email to ocbodyart@ochca.com
In person: 1241 E. Dyer Rd., Suite 120, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Cashier hours are Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm. The lobby is open until 5pm.
Via mail: Orange County Environmental Health, PO Box 25400, Santa Ana, CA 92799
