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 |
| Class C misdemeanor |
![]() | Alaska | 18 | None |
| Class B misdemeanor |
![]() | Arizona | 18 | None |
| Class 6 felony |
![]() | Arkansas | 18 | Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired |
| Class A misdemeanor |
![]() | California | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Colorado | 18 | Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired |
| Petty offense |
![]() | Connecticut | 18 | Tattooing may only be performed by physicians, or by registered nurses & technicians working under the supervision of a physician. |
| |
![]() | Delaware | 18 | Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired |
| Class B misdemeanor Class A misdemeanor (2nd offense onward) |
![]() | District of Columbia | 18 | None |
| |
![]() | Florida | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor of the second degree |
![]() | Georgia | 18 | Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Hawaii | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Idaho | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Illinois | 18 | None |
| Class A misdemeanor |
![]() | Indiana | 18 | None |
| Class A misdemeanor |
![]() | Iowa | 18 | None |
| Serious misdemeanor |
![]() | Kansas | 18 | None |
| Class A misdemeanor |
![]() | Kentucky | 18 | None |
| |
![]() | Louisiana | 18 | None |
| A fine of $100-$500 and/or prison 30-365 days |
![]() | Maine | 18 | None |
| Class E offense |
![]() | Maryland | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Massachusetts | 18 | None |
| A fine up to $300 and/or prison up to one year |
![]() | Michigan | 18 | Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Minnesota | 18 | Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired |
| Gross misdemeanor |
![]() | Mississippi | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Missouri | 18 | Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Montana | 18 | Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired |
| Unlawful transactions with children or misdemeanor |
![]() | Nebraska | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | New Hampshire | 18 | None |
| Class A misdemeanor |
![]() | New Mexico | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | New York | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | North Carolina | 18 | None |
| Class 2 misdemeanor |
![]() | North Dakota | 18 | Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket |
| Class B misdemeanor |
![]() | Ohio | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Oklahoma | 18 | Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Oregon | 18 | Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket |
| Class B misdemeanor |
![]() | Pennsylvania | 18 | None |
| 3rd-Degree misdemeanor (1st offense), | 2nd-Degree misdemeanor (2nd offense) |
![]() | Rhode Island | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | South Carolina | 18 | Unlawful to tattoo head, face, neck, or within an inch of eye socket |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | South Dakota | 18 | Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket |
| Class 2 misdemeanor |
![]() | Tennessee | 18 | None |
| 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 |
| Class B misdemeanor (minor who misrespresents age), | Class A misdemeanor (tattooist) |
![]() | Utah | 18 | None |
| Class B misdemeanor |
![]() | Vermont | 18 | Patron may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired |
| A fine up to $5,000 or prison up to one year |
![]() | Virginia | 18 | None |
| Class 1 misdemeanor |
![]() | Washington | 18 | Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | West Virginia | 18 | Unlawful to tattoo within an inch of the eye socket |
| Misdemeanor |
![]() | Wisconsin | 18 | None |
| A fine up to $200 |
![]() | Wyoming | 18 | None |
| Misdemeanor criminal offense |
![]() | New Jersey | 16 | None |
| A fine of $50-$1,000 |
![]() | Nevada | 0 | None |
|
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.