Environmental Health

Tattoo, Body Piercing and Permanent Cosmetics Program

The Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Section registers all persons (practitioners) applying tattoos, body piercing(s), or permanent cosmetics. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Issuing Permits

• Conducting yearly inspections of all facilities for general maintenance and cleanliness, proper sterilization procedures

• Maintaining registration documents of and issuing registration cards to all active practitioners

• Promulgating (publicizing)  new or revising existing ordinances and regulations

Upcoming Training Seminar:

Bay Area Regional Body Art Safety Training Seminar - August 25, 2008 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm (Download the registration form now)

Body arts definitions:

• Tattooing - means to insert pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being, by pricking with a needle or otherwise, to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin.
• Body piercing - means the creation of an opening in the body of a human being for the purpose of inserting jewelry or other decoration. This includes, but is not limited to, piercing of an ear, lip, tongue, nose, or eyebrow. "Body piercing" does not include piercing an ear with a disposable, single-use stud or solid needle that is applied using a mechanical device to force the needle or stud through the ear.
• Permanent cosmetics - means the application of pigments to or under the skin of a human being for the purpose of permanently changing the color or other appearance of the skin. This includes, but is not limited to, permanent eyeliner, eye shadow, or lip color.