Body Art Regulations

 Every state has different regulations as to the requirements for sterilization in tattoo shops. Most require the use of an autoclave or other sterilizer for the cleaning and disinfecting of non-disposable tattoo equipment so they are safe to use and in addition they have requirements for the testing of such sterilizers.

Alabama - The Alabama Department of Public Health requires monthly testing of autoclave sterilizers by sending tests to an independent laboratory. It is also a requirement to keep records of this sterilizer testing for 3 years.

Alaska - The Alaska Administrative Code requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. 

Arizona - Arizona does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.

Arkansas - The Arkansas Department of Health requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly.

California - The California State Assembly requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly.

Colorado - The Code of Colorado Regulations requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years.

Connecticut - Connecticut does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.

Delaware - The Delaware Division of Public Health requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years. If it is found the testing was not available or being done, there is a $100 fee for each day that a tattoo shop is open without proper testing available.

Florida - The Florida Department of Environmental Health requires testing to be done at least every 40 hours of autoclave operation, or at least quarterly. It is required that tests must be done at an independent laboratory.

Georgia - The Georgia Board of Health requires tests to be done every 40 hours of operation or at least monthly. They recommend that tattoo shops follow the autoclave manufacturer’s guidelines for frequency of monitoring.

Hawaii - Hawaii does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.

Idaho - Idaho does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.

Illinois - The Illinois Department of Public Health requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years.

Indiana - The Indiana State Department of Health requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly.

Iowa - The Iowa Department of Public Health requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly.

Kansas - The Kansas Board of Cosmetology requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly.

Kentucky - The Kentucky Health and Family Services requires that testing be done as recommended by the manufacturer of the autoclave itself. Typically this is monthly.

Louisiana - The Louisiana Department of Health requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly.

Maine - The Maine Department of Health and Human Services requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. Records of sterilization testing must be kept available for 1 year.

Maryland - Maryland does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.

Massachusetts - The Massachusetts Model Regulations for Body Art Establishments requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years. Some cities require more frequent testing.

Michigan - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years.

Minnesota - Minnesota Legislature requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly.

Mississippi - The Mississippi State Department of Health requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years.

Missouri - The Missouri Department of Economic Development requires that spore tests be done weekly to ensure the proper sterilization of tattoo equipment is being done. 

Montana - The Montana Department of Health and Human Services requires monthly spore testing for tattoo equipment sterilized in autoclaves. They require that the testing be done by an independent laboratory and that the results of these tests be posted in a public place.

Nebraska - The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 2 years.

Nevada - Nevada does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.

New Hampshire - The New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 7 years.

New Jersey - The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years.

New Mexico - The New Mexico Body Art Safe Practices Act requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years.

New York - New York does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.

North Carolina - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. Test results are reviewed by the department annually.

North Dakota - The North Dakota Department of Health requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years.

Ohio - The Ohio General Assembly requires that spore tests be done weekly to ensure the proper sterilization of tattoo equipment is being done.

Oklahoma - The Oklahoma State Department of Health requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years.

Oregon - The Oregon Health Authority requires that spore tests be done monthly to ensure the proper sterilization of tattoo equipment is being done.

Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.

Rhode Island - The Rhode Island Department of Health requires monthly testing of tattoo sterilization equipment using spore tests. They also require that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 2 years.

South Carolina - The South Carolina Code of Laws requires that spore tests be done monthly to ensure the proper sterilization of tattoo equipment is being done. They also require that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 2 years.

South Dakota - The South Dakota Legislature requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 1 year.

Tennessee - The Tennessee Department of Health requires that spore tests be done monthly to ensure the proper sterilization of tattoo equipment is being done. They also require that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 2 years.

Texas - The Texas Department of State Health Services requires monthly testing of tattoo sterilization equipment using spore tests. They also require that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 2 years.

Utah - Utah does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.

Vermont - The Vermont Secretary of State requires tests to be done at least once a month and records of testing to be filed in a permanent Sterility Assurance file.

Virginia - The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers via spore tests to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 3 years.

Washington - The Washington State Department of Health requires monthly testing of tattoo sterilization equipment using spore tests.

West Virginia - West Virginia does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.

Wisconsin - The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services requires monthly testing of autoclaves and other sterilizers via spore tests to ensure that they are working properly. They also require that testing be done by an independent laboratory and that records of testing be kept and readily available for at least 1 year.

Wyoming - Wyoming does not have statewide regulations for tattoo shop sterilization practices but certain cities and counties do. Consult your local government for regulations.