"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.
Body Art Facility Permit
- 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
Temporary Body Art Event
- 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 Practitioner Training Events
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
