Getting a tattoo in Mississippi is pretty common. But a lot of people don’t know the rules until it’s too late. Whether you’re planning to get inked or you’re an artist thinking about working in the state, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is Tattooing Under Mississippi Law?
Mississippi defines tattooing very specifically. It means making permanent marks or designs on or through the skin by puncturing it with a needle or other instrument and inserting ink or pigment. That definition comes straight from Mississippi Code § 73-61-1.
This matters because the law applies to anyone making those permanent marks for money. Basically, if you’re paid to put ink in someone’s skin, you’re covered under this law.
Basic Tattoo Laws in Mississippi
The Age Rule Is Strict
Here’s where Mississippi stands out. You must be 18 years old to get a tattoo in the state. No exceptions. No parental consent workaround.
A lot of states allow minors to get tattoos with a parent’s written permission. Mississippi is not one of them. It’s one of only a handful of states with a total ban for anyone under 18. Right?
Wondering if a note from mom or dad changes anything? It doesn’t. The law says no tattoos for anyone under 18, period. The artist gets the blame if this rule is broken.
Artists Must Be Registered
Every tattoo artist in Mississippi must register with the Mississippi State Department of Health before they can work for pay. You can’t just pick up a needle and start charging clients. That’s not how it works here.
Registration is tied to a specific location too. You are only allowed to tattoo at the facility listed on your registration. If you move to a new shop, you need to update your registration for that address.
Licensing Requirements for Tattoo Artists
Two Types of Certificates
Mississippi issues two types of registrations for tattoo artists. The first is a Provisional Certificate of Registration. Think of it like a learner’s permit. You can tattoo, but only under the direct, on-site supervision of a fully licensed artist.
The second is a Regular Certificate of Registration. This is the full license. You work independently and can even supervise provisional artists. Pretty straightforward.
How to Get Your Full License
Okay, this one’s important. Before you can apply for a Regular Certificate, you must complete at least nine months working under direct supervision with a Provisional Certificate. That’s the apprenticeship phase.
You also need to submit a notarized application, a copy of your driver’s license or Social Security card, a passport-style photo, and proof that you completed an OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens training course. The Bloodborne Pathogens course teaches you how to prevent the spread of diseases like Hepatitis B and HIV.
American Red Cross certification in first aid is also required. All of these requirements exist to protect both artists and clients.
Registration Fees and Renewal
The application fee is $150 per registration. That fee is non-refundable. Registrations expire every year on May 31st, and the renewal fee is also $150.
Fees must be paid to the Mississippi Department of Health by certified check, cashier’s check, or money order. Stay with me here because this part trips people up. Missing your renewal date can put you out of compliance fast.
Transferring a License From Another State
Moving to Mississippi from another state? Good news. If you’ve held a valid tattoo license in another state within the last 18 months, you may skip the Provisional Certificate step. You just need to submit the standard application plus a Verification of License/Registration form.
Shop and Studio Requirements
Studios Must Be Registered Too
It’s not just the artist who needs to be registered. The facility itself must also be registered with the Mississippi Department of Health. The shop has to pass inspections too. Health inspectors visit every tattoo studio at least once per year.
Honestly, this makes a lot of sense. You want to know the place putting needles in your skin is clean and regulated.
Equipment and Sanitation Standards
Hold on, this part is important. Mississippi has detailed rules about equipment. All needles must be single-use and disposable. They must come in sealed sterilization pouches from the manufacturer. Each needle pouch should have a shelf life of at least one year before it needs re-sterilization.
Ink containers must also be single-use per client. A fresh container of ink gets opened for you and thrown away when your session is done. No double-dipping from the same ink jar for two different clients.
Artists must wash their hands thoroughly before putting on clean, single-use gloves for each client. If a glove tears or gets contaminated, both gloves must come off immediately. Clean hands go back on, new gloves go on. That’s the rule.
Aftercare Instructions Are Required by Law
Most people don’t realize this part. Before your tattoo session even starts, the studio must give you written aftercare instructions. This is a legal requirement in Mississippi, not just a nice extra.
Those instructions must cover how to care for the tattooed area and the signs of infection to watch for. Your artist isn’t just being thorough. They’re following the law.
Penalties and Consequences
What Happens When Artists Break the Rules
Let’s talk about what happens when someone steps out of line. Tattooing a minor in Mississippi is a misdemeanor. The fine ranges from $100 to $500. The artist can also lose their registration entirely.
The same fine range applies to tattooing without a valid license. Think of it like a traffic ticket, but with the added risk of losing your career.
Tattooing from an unlicensed shop carries even heavier penalties. A fine between $500 and $1,000 can be imposed for operating without proper shop registration. That’s no joke.
Registration Can Be Suspended or Revoked
The Department of Health can suspend or revoke a registration at any time. This can happen for violating health and sanitation rules. It can happen for tattooing a minor. It can happen for working at a location not listed on your registration.
The department can also take action before a formal hearing in serious cases. That’s called a summary suspension. It goes into effect immediately while the case is being reviewed. Less severe than losing your license forever, but still no joke.
Fines for Studios
Studios that break the rules face fines up to $500 per violation from the Department of Health. The state can also go to court to get an injunction, which is a legal order forcing a business to stop operating until it complies. That can mean shutting your doors until everything is fixed.
Special Circumstances
Physicians Are Exempt
Here’s an interesting one. Licensed physicians in Mississippi are exempt from the tattoo registration requirements when performing tattooing as part of their medical duties. This covers things like medical tattooing for reconstructive or cosmetic procedures.
Personally, I think that exception makes sense. A board-certified doctor already operates under a completely different set of health and safety rules.
Permanent Makeup Falls Under Tattoo Law
Wondering if permanent makeup or microblading is treated differently? It’s not. Mississippi classifies permanent cosmetics as tattooing. That means permanent eyeliner, lip liner, eyebrow tattooing, and microblading all fall under the same registration rules.
If someone is doing permanent makeup for pay, they need a tattoo registration. No separate license for that. Same rules, same fees.
No Rules on Tattoo Placement
One thing Mississippi does NOT regulate is where on your body you can get a tattoo. There are no state laws restricting placement. You can get ink wherever you want, as long as your artist agrees to do it.
How to Check If a Studio Is Licensed
You’re not alone if you’ve never thought to verify a studio before walking in. Most people don’t. But it’s easy to do.
You can check the registration status of tattoo artists and studios through the Mississippi Department of Health Professional Licensure online portal. A quick search can tell you if the artist you’re booking has a current, valid registration. Totally worth doing.
If you’re a tattoo artist and want to apply for registration, the online portal at the Mississippi Department of Health is your starting point. Applications, forms, and fee payment are all handled through the state’s professional licensure system.
What to Do If You Have a Complaint
Did something go wrong at a studio? You can report it. The Mississippi Department of Health investigates complaints against registered tattoo artists and studios.
Every licensed studio is required to keep a Consumer Follow-Up Log. This log tracks any complaints or concerns raised by clients. The state takes those reports seriously. If inspectors find a real problem, they have the authority to suspend or revoke the studio’s registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a minor get a tattoo in Mississippi with parental consent?
No. Mississippi law bans tattooing anyone under 18 with no exceptions, even with written parental permission.
How much does it cost to get a tattoo artist license in Mississippi?
The application fee is $150 and the annual renewal fee is also $150. Both are paid to the Mississippi Department of Health.
Can a tattoo artist work at more than one shop?
Not under a single registration. Your registration is tied to one specific location. Working at a different shop requires a separate registration for that address.
What training is required for tattoo artists in Mississippi?
Artists need to complete an OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens course and American Red Cross first aid certification. Artists new to Mississippi also need at least nine months of supervised work before getting a full license.
Does Mississippi regulate permanent makeup?
Yes. The state treats permanent makeup and microblading as tattooing. Artists doing those services for pay must register with the Department of Health just like any tattoo artist.
What is the penalty for tattooing a minor in Mississippi?
It is a misdemeanor. The artist can face a fine between $100 and $500 and risk losing their registration. The minor’s parents are not punished.
How do I know if a tattoo studio is legally registered?
You can check the Mississippi Department of Health’s online Professional Licensure portal to verify that an artist or studio holds a current, valid registration.
Final Thoughts
Mississippi’s tattoo laws are stricter than many people expect. The no-exceptions age rule surprises a lot of folks. The artist registration system, shop inspections, and detailed equipment rules all exist to keep clients safe.
If you’re getting inked, go to a registered shop with a licensed artist. Check the portal if you’re not sure. If you’re an artist, stay current on your registration and renewal deadlines. The rules here are clear. Following them just makes sense.
When in doubt, contact the Mississippi Department of Health directly. They’re the ones overseeing all of this, and they can answer specific questions about compliance.
References
- Mississippi Code § 73-61-1 (Tattooing) via Justia US Law
- Mississippi State Department of Health Professional Licensure Portal
- MSDH Regulations Governing Tattooing and Body Piercing (PDF)
- Mississippi Code § 73-61-1 via FindLaw (updated January 2025)
- How to Get a Tattoo License in Mississippi via Tattooing 101
