HB 1180 — An Act providing for the licensure or registration of tattoo artists, guest tattoo artists, tattoo establishments and temporary establishments; regulating the practice of tattooing; imposing fees; providing for inspections by Department of Health; and imposing administrative and criminal penalties.

PRINTER'S NO.   1317

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1180
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY MAJOR, APRIL 9, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, APRIL 9, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Providing for the licensure or registration of tattoo artists,
 2      guest tattoo artists, tattoo establishments and temporary
 3      establishments; regulating the practice of tattooing;
 4      imposing fees; providing for inspections by Department of
 5      Health; and imposing administrative and criminal penalties.
 6      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 7   hereby enacts as follows:
 8   Section 1.   Short title.
 9      This act shall be known and may be cited as the Tattoo
10   Practice Act.
11   Section 2.   Definitions.
12      The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
13   have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
14   context clearly indicates otherwise:
15      "Active license."    A current license issued by the department
16   to a tattoo artist or tattoo establishment under section 3 or 4
17   that is not expired, suspended or revoked.
18      "Active registration."    A current registration issued by the
19   department to a guest tattoo artist under section 3 that is not
20   expired, suspended or revoked.
 1      "Department."     The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
 2      "Guest tattoo artist."        An individual who is licensed,
 3   registered or certified to practice tattooing in a jurisdiction
 4   outside of this Commonwealth and who is registered with the
 5   department under section 3 to practice tattooing in this
 6   Commonwealth.
 7      "Permanent makeup."     A technique which employs tattoos as a
 8   means of producing designs that resemble makeup, including, but
 9   not limited to, eyeliner and other permanent enhancing colors to
10   the skin of the face, lips, eyebrows and eyelids.
11      "Tattoo."     A mark or design made on or under the skin of a
12   human being by a process of piercing and ingraining a pigment,
13   dye or ink in the skin.
14      "Tattoo artist."     An individual licensed to practice
15   tattooing under section 3.
16      "Tattoo establishment."        Any permanent location, place, area,
17   structure or business where tattooing is performed in this
18   Commonwealth.
19      "Temporary establishment."        Any location, place, area or
20   structure where tattooing is performed in this Commonwealth
21   during a convention or other similar event that does not exceed
22   14 consecutive days.
23   Section 3.     Licensure or registration of tattoo artists or guest
24                  tattoo artists.
25      (a)   Prohibition.--An individual may not tattoo the body of
26   any human being in this Commonwealth unless the individual is
27   licensed as a tattoo artist or registered as a guest tattoo
28   artist under this section.
29      (b)   Licensure.--
30            (1)   An individual seeking licensure as a tattoo artist

20250HB1180PN1317                       - 2 -
 1      shall apply to the department in a format specified by the
 2      department. The application under this subsection shall
 3      include all of the following information:
 4                  (i)    The name and residence address of the applicant.
 5                  (ii)    The name and street address of each tattoo
 6            establishment and temporary establishment where the
 7            applicant intends to practice tattooing in this
 8            Commonwealth.
 9            (2)   The department shall issue a license to an applicant
10      under paragraph (1) who meets all of the following criteria:
11                  (i)    The applicant is 18 years of age or older.
12                  (ii)    The applicant submits a completed application.
13                  (iii)    The applicant pays the license fee imposed
14            under section 7(a)(3).
15                  (iv)    The applicant submits proof of the successful
16            completion of an education course approved by the
17            department under subsection (c) on blood-borne pathogens
18            and communicable diseases.
19                  (v)    The applicant submits proof of passage, with a
20            score in excess of 70% sufficiency, of an examination
21            approved by the department under subsection (c) on the
22            material presented in the education course completed
23            under subparagraph (iv).
24      (c)   Education courses and examinations.--The department
25   shall approve an education course and examination that allows an
26   applicant to meet the criteria under subsection (b)(2)(iv) and
27   (v) in person or through an Internet website.
28      (d)   Change of address.--A tattoo artist shall, within 30
29   days, notify the department of a change to any of the following
30   information disclosed in the tattoo artist's most recent

20250HB1180PN1317                       - 3 -
 1   application for the issuance or renewal of the tattoo artist's
 2   license in a format specified by the department:
 3            (1)   The name and residence address of the tattoo artist.
 4            (2)   The name and street address of each tattoo
 5      establishment in this Commonwealth where the tattoo artist
 6      has practiced tattooing for more than 14 days since the
 7      issuance or most recent renewal of the tattoo artist's
 8      license.
 9      (e)   Registration.--
10            (1)   An individual seeking registration as a guest tattoo
11      artist shall apply to the department in the format specified
12      by the department. The application under this subsection
13      shall include all of the following information:
14                  (i)    The name and residence address of the applicant.
15                  (ii)    The name and street address of each tattoo
16            establishment and temporary establishment where the
17            applicant will practice as a guest tattoo artist.
18            (2)   The department shall issue a registration to an
19      applicant under paragraph (1) who meets all of the following
20      criteria:
21                  (i)    The applicant is 18 years of age or older.
22                  (ii)    The applicant submits a completed application.
23                  (iii)    The applicant pays the registration fee
24            imposed under section 7(a)(4).
25                  (iv)    The applicant holds an active license, a
26            registration or a certification issued by a jurisdiction
27            outside of this Commonwealth, including the District of
28            Columbia, another state or territory of the United States
29            or a foreign nation, and any of the following apply:
30                         (A)   The education and examination requirements

20250HB1180PN1317                         - 4 -
 1                  of the license, registration or certification
 2                  substantially meet or exceed the requirements of the
 3                  education course and examination approved by the
 4                  department under subsection (b)(2)(iv) and (v).
 5                         (B)   The applicant meets the criteria specified
 6                  under subsection (b)(2)(iv) and (v).
 7      (f)   Renewal and reregistration.--A tattoo artist license
 8   shall be valid for one year and must be renewed annually. A
 9   guest tattoo artist registration shall be valid for 14 days. A
10   guest tattoo artist may apply for reregistration before or after
11   expiration of the guest tattoo artist's current registration.
12      (g)   Transferability.--A tattoo artist license or guest
13   tattoo artist registration issued by the department under this
14   section shall not be transferable.
15   Section 4.     Licensure of tattoo establishments and temporary
16                  establishments.
17      (a)   Tattooing prohibited.--An individual may not tattoo the
18   body of a human being in this Commonwealth unless the individual
19   is located at a tattoo establishment or temporary establishment
20   licensed under this section.
21      (b)   Licensure.--
22            (1)   An individual seeking licensure of a tattoo
23      establishment must apply to the department in a format
24      prescribed by the department. The application under this
25      subsection shall include all of the following information:
26                  (i)    The registered business name, including any
27            fictitious name under which the tattoo establishment
28            conducts business in this Commonwealth.
29                  (ii)    The street address and telephone number of the
30            tattoo establishment.

20250HB1180PN1317                         - 5 -
 1                   (iii)    The name, mailing address and telephone number
 2             of the tattoo establishment's operator.
 3                   (iv)    The name and address of the tattoo
 4             establishment's registered office.
 5             (2)   The department shall issue a tattoo establishment
 6      license to an applicant under paragraph (1) if all of the
 7      following criteria are met:
 8                   (i)    The applicant submits a completed application.
 9                   (ii)    The applicant pays the license fee specified
10             under section 7(a)(1).
11                   (iii)    The establishment complies with all applicable
12             local building, occupational, zoning and health codes.
13      (c)    Unlicensed businesses.--A tattoo establishment may be
14   located in a single room in a business not licensed under this
15   section if the room meets the practice requirements under
16   section 5 and the room is being used exclusively for permanent
17   makeup.
18      (d)    Temporary establishments.--A temporary establishment
19   shall meet the same requirements for licensure as a tattoo
20   establishment.
21      (e)    Change of address.--A license shall be valid only for
22   the location listed on the license. A tattoo establishment must
23   notify the department, in a format specified by the department,
24   before changing a licensed location. A tattoo establishment with
25   more than one location shall obtain a separate license for each
26   location.
27      (f)    Validity and renewals.--A tattoo establishment license
28   shall be valid for one year and must be renewed annually. A
29   temporary establishment license shall be valid for the duration
30   of a convention or other similar event for which the license is

20250HB1180PN1317                        - 6 -
 1   issued not to exceed 14 consecutive days.
 2      (g)   Transferability.--A license issued by the department
 3   under this section shall not be transferable.
 4   Section 5.     Practice requirements of tattoo establishments and
 5                  temporary establishments.
 6      A tattoo establishment or temporary establishment shall do
 7   all of the following:
 8            (1)   Display an active license for the establishment in a
 9      manner that is easily visible to the public at all times
10      while tattooing is performed at the establishment.
11            (2)   Ensure that each tattoo artist and guest tattoo
12      artist, while practicing tattooing at the establishment,
13      meets all applicable requirements established by the
14      department.
15            (3)   Maintain sanitary conditions at the establishment at
16      all times.
17            (4)   Comply with all State and local health laws,
18      regulations, ordinances and codes.
19            (5)   Allow the department to inspect the establishment in
20      accordance with section 8.
21   Section 6.     Practice requirements of tattoo artists and guest
22                  tattoo artists.
23      A tattoo artist or guest tattoo artist shall do all of the
24   following:
25            (1)   Display the artist's active license or active
26      registration in a manner that is easily visible to the public
27      at all times while practicing tattooing.
28            (2)   Practice tattooing exclusively at a tattoo
29      establishment or temporary establishment licensed under
30      section 4.

20250HB1180PN1317                     - 7 -
 1            (3)   Maintain sanitary conditions at a tattoo
 2      establishment or temporary establishment at all times.
 3            (4)   Comply with all State and local health laws,
 4      regulations, ordinances and codes.
 5   Section 7.     Imposition of fees.
 6      (a)   Imposition.--Except as provided under subsection (b),
 7   the department shall impose the following fees:
 8            (1)   For initial licensure of a tattoo establishment and
 9      the renewal of the license, a fee not to exceed $250 per
10      year.
11            (2)   For the licensure of a temporary establishment, a
12      fee not to exceed $250.
13            (3)   For the initial licensure of a tattoo artist and the
14      renewal of the license, a fee not to exceed $150 per year.
15            (4)   For registration or reregistration of a guest tattoo
16      artist, a fee not to exceed $45.
17            (5)   For reactivation of an inactive tattoo establishment
18      license, a fee not to exceed $250 per year.
19            (6)   For reactivation of an inactive tattoo artist
20      license, a fee not to exceed $150 per year.
21      (b)   Adjustment.--The department may annually adjust the fees
22   imposed under subsection (a) in accordance with the percentage
23   change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for
24   the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland area for the
25   most recent 12-month period for which figures have been
26   officially reported by the United States Department of Labor,
27   Bureau of Labor Statistics.
28   Section 8.     Inspections by department.
29      (a)   Authorization.--The department may inspect and
30   investigate each tattoo establishment or temporary establishment

20250HB1180PN1317                    - 8 -
 1   as necessary to ensure compliance with this act.
 2      (b)   Initial inspections.--The department shall inspect a
 3   tattoo establishment at least once before the tattoo
 4   establishment performs tattoo services.
 5      (c)   Annual inspections.--The department shall annually
 6   inspect 20% of all tattoo establishments in this Commonwealth on
 7   a randomized basis.
 8      (d)   Temporary establishments.--The department shall inspect
 9   a temporary establishment before and, as necessary, during a
10   convention or similar event where tattooing is performed at the
11   temporary establishment.
12   Section 9.     Administrative penalties.
13      (a)   Disciplinary actions.--The following acts by any tattoo
14   establishment, temporary establishment, tattoo artist, guest
15   tattoo artist, operator or unlicensed person may be subject to
16   an administrative penalty under subsection (b):
17            (1)   Providing false information on an application for
18      licensure or registration under section 3 or 4.
19            (2)   Violating any State or local health law, regulation,
20      ordinance or code.
21            (3)   Violating any provision of this act, regulation
22      promulgated under this act or order issued by the department
23      under this act.
24            (4)   Being found guilty of or pleading nolo contendere
25      to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction
26      which relates to the practice of tattooing or the operation
27      of a tattoo establishment or temporary establishment.
28            (5)   Committing fraud, deceit, negligence or misconduct
29      in the practice of tattooing or the operation of a tattoo
30      establishment or temporary establishment.

20250HB1180PN1317                    - 9 -
 1            (6)    Aiding, procuring or assisting a person to
 2      unlawfully practice tattooing or to unlawfully operate a
 3      tattoo establishment or temporary establishment.
 4      (b)   Penalties.--
 5            (1)    If the department determines that a person committed
 6      an act specified under subsection (a), the department may
 7      enter an order imposing any of the following administrative
 8      penalties:
 9                   (i)    A refusal to issue a license or registration or
10            renew a license under section 3 or 4.
11                   (ii)    A suspension or revocation of a license or
12            registration under section 3 or 4.
13                   (iii)    An administrative fine not to exceed $1,500
14            for each count or separate act specified under subsection
15            (a).
16                   (iv)    A reprimand.
17                   (v)    Probation for a specified period and subject to
18            the conditions imposed by the department.
19                   (vi)    A corrective action.
20            (2)    The department shall impose stricter penalties than
21      the penalties imposed under paragraph (1) on a person who
22      commits repetitive acts under subsection (a) or commits an
23      act under subsection (a) that endangers public health.
24   Section 10.      Criminal penalties.
25      A person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree if the
26   person engages in any of the following acts:
27            (1)    Operating a tattoo establishment or temporary
28      establishment in this Commonwealth without a license under
29      section 4.
30            (2)    Practicing tattooing in this Commonwealth without a

20250HB1180PN1317                           - 10 -
 1      license or registration under section 3.
 2            (3)   Practicing tattooing in this Commonwealth at any
 3      place other than a tattoo establishment or temporary
 4      establishment.
 5            (4)   Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license or
 6      registration under section 3 or 4 by means of fraud,
 7      misrepresentation or concealment.
 8   Section 11.    Preemption of local ordinances or rules.
 9      Nothing in this act shall preempt a local ordinance or rule
10   that imposes additional requirements on tattoo establishments,
11   temporary establishments, tattoo artists, guest tattoo artists
12   or the practice of tattooing than specified under this act.
13   Section 12.    Applicability.
14      (a)   Medical or dental purposes.--This act shall not apply to
15   tattooing performed for medical purposes by a physician licensed
16   under the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as
17   the Medical Practice Act of 1985, or the act of October 5, 1978
18   (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice
19   Act, or tattooing performed for dental purposes by a dentist
20   licensed under the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.216, No.76), known as
21   The Dental Law.
22      (b)   Animals.--This act shall apply exclusively to the
23   tattooing of human beings. This act shall not apply to the
24   tattooing of animals.
25   Section 13.    Effective date.
26      This act shall take effect in 60 days.




20250HB1180PN1317                     - 11 -