Tattoo Laws by State 2025

Minimum Age to Receive Tattoo

State	Minimum Age to Receive Tattoo↓	Legal Restrictions	Requirements for Underaged Patrons	Class of Crime if Violated
Alabama	18	Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired	Written consent from parent/guardian	Class C misdemeanor
Alaska	18	None	Parent/guardian must attend tattooing session	Class B misdemeanor
Arizona	18	None	Parent/guardian must attend tattooing session	Class 6 felony
Arkansas	18	Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired	Parent/guardian must attend tattooing session	Class A misdemeanor
California	18	None	Parent/guardian must attend tattooing session	Misdemeanor
Colorado	18	Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired	Parent/guardian must attend tattooing session	Petty offense
Connecticut	18	Tattooing may only be performed by physicians, or by registered nurses & technicians working under the supervision of a physician.	Written consent from parent/guardian
Delaware	18	Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired	Notarized written consent from parent/guardian	Class B misdemeanor Class A misdemeanor (2nd offense onward)
District of Columbia	18	None	Written consent from parent/guardian
Florida	18	None	Ages 16-17: Written consent from legal guardian, Under 16: Prohibited	Misdemeanor of the second degree
Georgia	18	Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket	Written consent from parent/guardian	Misdemeanor
Hawaii	18	None	Written consent from parent/guardian	Misdemeanor
Idaho	18	None	Ages 14-17: Consent from parent/guardian, Under 14: Prohibited	Misdemeanor
Illinois	18	None	Parent/guardian must attend tattooing session	Class A misdemeanor
Indiana	18	None	Parent/guardian must attend tattooing session	Class A misdemeanor
Iowa	18	None	Prohibited	Serious misdemeanor
Kansas	18	None	Written and notarized consent, Consenter must attend tattooing session	Class A misdemeanor
Kentucky	18	None	Ages 16-17: Written and notarized consent
Louisiana	18	None	Written consent from legal guardian, Consenter must attend tattooing session	A fine of $100-$500 and/or prison 30-365 days
Maine	18	None	Prohibited	Class E offense
Maryland	18	None	Prohibited	Misdemeanor
Massachusetts	18	None	Prohibited	A fine up to $300 and/or prison up to one year
Michigan	18	Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired	Written consent from parent/guardian	Misdemeanor
Minnesota	18	Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired	Prohibited	Gross misdemeanor
Mississippi	18	None	Prohibited	Misdemeanor
Missouri	18	Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired	Written consent from parent/guardian	Misdemeanor
Montana	18	Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired	Parent/guardian must consent and attend tattooing session	Unlawful transactions with children or misdemeanor
Nebraska	18	None	Written consent from parent/guardian	Misdemeanor
New Hampshire	18	None	Prohibited	Class A misdemeanor
New Mexico	18	None	Written and notarized consent, Consenter must attend tattooing session	Misdemeanor
New York	18	None	Prohibited	Misdemeanor
North Carolina	18	None	Prohibited	Class 2 misdemeanor
North Dakota	18	Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket	Written consent from legal guardian, Consenter must attend tattooing session	Class B misdemeanor
Ohio	18	None	Parent/guardian must consent and attend tattooing session	Misdemeanor
Oklahoma	18	Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket	Prohibited	Misdemeanor
Oregon	18	Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket	Authorization of a physician	Class B misdemeanor
Pennsylvania	18	None	Written consent from legal guardian, Consenter must attend tattooing session	3rd-Degree misdemeanor (1st offense), \| 2nd-Degree misdemeanor (2nd offense)
Rhode Island	18	None	Prohibited	Misdemeanor
South Carolina	18	Unlawful to tattoo head, face, neck, or within an inch of eye socket	Prohibited	Misdemeanor
South Dakota	18	Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket	Written consent from parent/guardian	Class 2 misdemeanor
Tennessee	18	None	Minors over the age of sixteen may be tattooed to cover up an existing tattoo, with parent/guardian consent	A fine of $50–$250 (minor who misrespresents age), \| Class A misdemeanor (tattooist)
Texas	18	Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket	Consent of parent/guardian, Must cover existing tattoo that has offensive, gang-related, or drug-related content	Class B misdemeanor (minor who misrespresents age), \| Class A misdemeanor (tattooist)
Utah	18	None	Written consent from parent/guardian	Class B misdemeanor
Vermont	18	Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired	Written consent from legal guardian, Consenter must attend tattooing session	A fine up to $5,000 or prison up to one year
Virginia	18	None	Parent/guardian must attend tattooing session	Class 1 misdemeanor
Washington	18	Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket	Prohibited	Misdemeanor
West Virginia	18	Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket	Ages 16-17: Consent from parent/guardian, Under 14: Prohibited	Misdemeanor
Wisconsin	18	None	Authorization of a physician	A fine up to $200
Wyoming	18	None	Parent/guardian must attend tattooing session	Misdemeanor criminal offense
New Jersey	16	None	Written consent from legal guardian, Consenter must attend tattooing session	A fine of $50-$1,000
Nevada	0	None	Regulated on local level

Nevada has no legally defined minimum age for those wishing to receive a tattoo.
Tattoo laws could change at any time. Potential patrons are advised to confirm legality with local authorities.

Legislation affecting tattoo laws in the US undergoes continual evolution, reflecting shifts in societal attitudes, health concerns, and legal priorities. The interplay of these factors shapes the regulatory landscape, with some states emphasizing stringent age restrictions and consent to protect minors, while others focus on prohibiting risky practices. This dynamic environment prompts policymakers to balance individual freedoms with public health imperatives, sculpting the legal framework governing the tattoo industry.

Conversely, states like Georgia underscore safety concerns by prohibiting tattoos near the eye socket, while Florida and Texas implement nuanced age-based regulations. These states impose stricter rules for minors and delineate acceptable tattoo content, exemplifying the varied approaches adopted across the nation. Such disparities highlight the complex interplay between state legislation and societal priorities within the realm of tattoo regulation.

Tattoo Laws by State 2025

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