Georgia Licensing
HOW TATTOO LICENSING WORKS in Georgia
Georgia regulates tattooing at the state level through the Georgia Department of Public Health, with additional oversight at the county level — in Savannah's case, through the Chatham County Environmental Health department. Both the studio and the individual artist must meet specific requirements before legally operating.
Here's how the licensing structure works in Georgia:
Studio permits: Every tattoo studio in Georgia must hold a valid Body Art Studio Permit issued by the county health department. In Savannah, this means Chatham County Environmental Health inspects studios for proper sterilization equipment, layout, ventilation, handwashing facilities, and recordkeeping. Studios must pass inspection before opening and are subject to unannounced follow-up inspections. The permit must be displayed visibly in the studio.
Artist licensing: Individual tattoo artists in Georgia must hold a current Body Art Practitioner License issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health. To obtain this license, an artist must complete a state-approved bloodborne pathogens (BBP) training course and demonstrate knowledge of infection control, safe practices, and applicable regulations. Licenses must be renewed regularly and are tied to the specific studio address where the artist works.
At Paris Joelle Tattoos, Savannah Ink Tattoo, and Drop Dead Tattoo, every artist holds a current Georgia Body Art Practitioner License and the studios maintain valid Chatham County Body Art Studio Permits. This isn't optional — it's the legal baseline, and our partner shops treat it that way.
"Licensing doesn't make an artist talented. But the absence of a license is a direct signal that a shop is operating outside the law — and outside safe practice standards."
If you're visiting Savannah and want to verify a shop before you walk in, our Savannah tourist tattoo guide and tattoo safety & sterilization guide cover what to look for in person. The licensing structure described here is the foundation — what you see on the wall and in the studio should reflect it.
What to Know
HOW TO DO IT right
ASK TO SEE THE STUDIO PERMIT
Georgia law requires the Body Art Studio Permit to be displayed visibly. If you can't see it posted in the studio, ask. A reputable shop will show it without hesitation. If they can't or won't, leave.
VERIFY THE ARTIST'S LICENSE
Georgia Body Art Practitioner Licenses can be verified through the Georgia Department of Public Health's online licensing portal. You can look up your artist by name before your appointment — it takes two minutes.
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS TRAINING IS MANDATORY
Every licensed Georgia tattoo artist must complete a state-approved BBP training course. This covers HIV, hepatitis B and C transmission, needle safety, and infection control. Ask your artist when they last completed their BBP training — licensed artists know this date.
COUNTY INSPECTIONS ARE UNANNOUNCED
Chatham County Environmental Health can inspect studios without prior notice. Shops that consistently pass inspections are ones that maintain standards every day — not just when they know someone's watching. Ask a studio when their last inspection was.
APPRENTICESHIP IS NOT THE SAME AS LICENSURE
Some artists work under experienced tattooers while completing an apprenticeship. This is legitimate in Georgia, but apprentices must still work under a licensed artist in a licensed studio. If someone describes themselves as apprenticing independently or in an unlicensed space, that's a red flag.
OUT-OF-STATE ARTISTS MUST COMPLY TOO
Guest artists visiting Savannah studios from other states must comply with Georgia licensing requirements while working here. Reputable studios hosting guest artists verify their compliance before they touch a client.
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COMMON QUESTIONS
Do tattoo artists need a license in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia requires every tattoo artist to hold a current Body Art Practitioner License issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health. This requires completing a state-approved bloodborne pathogens training course. Studios must also hold a valid Body Art Studio Permit from their county health department — in Savannah, that's Chatham County.
How do I verify a tattoo artist's license in Georgia?
You can verify a Georgia Body Art Practitioner License through the Georgia Department of Public Health's online license verification portal at verify.sos.ga.gov. Search by artist name or license number. All licenses issued in Georgia appear in this system.
What happens if a tattoo studio in Savannah is unlicensed?
Operating a tattoo studio without a valid Body Art Studio Permit in Georgia is illegal and subject to fines and closure by the county health department. More importantly for clients: an unlicensed studio has bypassed the health and safety inspections that protect you. Never get tattooed at an unlicensed shop.
Does licensing mean the artist is skilled?
No — licensing verifies that an artist has completed required safety training and is operating in a lawful, inspected studio. It doesn't certify artistic skill. Evaluating skill requires reviewing the artist's portfolio. Our Savannah tourist tattoo guide covers how to assess portfolios as a visitor, and our partner shops' pages show the actual work their artists produce.