Frequently Asked Questions

Body art is body piercing, tattooing, branding, or application of permanent cosmetics.

In order to obtain registration, body art practitioners must submit the following to the Department of

Environmental Health:

• A complete Body Art Practitioner Registration Application and the applicable fee for body art registration
• Evidence of completion of an approved Bloodborne Pathogen training (trainers must be approved by
• Nevada County)
• Valid photo identification (applicant must be at least 18 years of age)
• Evidence of Hepatitis B requirement. The Hepatitis B requirement can be met in one of the following
• ways:
  • Evidence of current Hepatitis B vaccination (including boosters); or
  • Comply with current Federal OSHA Hepatitis B vaccination declination requirement; or
  • Demonstrate Hepatitis B immunity

No, a body art practitioner cannot work from a non-permitted site. The registered practitioners shall be attached to a permitted facility.

A valid and current registration within California shall be valid in any other jurisdiction for no more than five consecutive days, or fifteen days total, in any one calendar year. Notify Nevada County Environmental Health if you plan to be a guest artist in Nevada County at (530) 265-1222, option 3. 

Submit a Body Art Facility Plan Review Application along with the applicable fees. Make sure to submit the requested documents in the plan review application. Once the body art facility plan check is approved the facility may start construction. Once construction is complete, a construction inspection will be performed. Upon approval of the final inspection, the Body Art Facility Permit Application shall be submitted along with any applicable fees.