Body art includes tattooing, piercing, and scarification. Arapahoe County Public Health inspects all the body art facilities in our jurisdiction to assure the facility is in compliance with the regulations and precautions are taken by the artist to prevent diseases. We also investigate complaints received from the public.

Body Art Regulations

Health Requirements

Tattooing and piercing puts artists at risk of coming in contact with their client's blood. This means artists may also be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These pathogens can make you sick and they can possibly make your family sick, if they are exposed. Some of these diseases are permanent and can be fatal. 

Required Licensing

While individual artists are not currently required, all establishments in Arapahoe County where body art procedures are being conducted are required to obtain a  license.

Required Bloodborne Pathogen Training

All body artists must successfully complete an approved Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Course within 90 days of being hired, obtain a written certificate of completion, and post the certificate in a conspicuous place. Body artists are also required to possess and demonstrate knowledge of Universal Precautions, disinfection and sterilization techniques, procedures for infection and exposure control, and are also required to have a waste management plan. 

The following courses meet the training requirement:

• Above Training.com—Bloodborne Pathogens Training for Body Artists
• American Red Cross—Bloodborne Pathogens Training for Tattoo Artists
• Cathy Montie—USA/International Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training
• Pacific Medical Training—Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) for non-medical persons

Other courses, upon notification by the body artist prior to taking the course, may be approved after review by Arapahoe County Public Health

Construction and Remodels

Contact 303-795-HLTH (4584) prior to the construction, remodeling, or modification of a body art and or piercing facility. You must complete and submit a Body Art Establishment License Application. A pre-opening inspection is required. Any violations noted during the inspection must be corrected and all applicable fees must be paid prior to the approval of the license and operation of the establishment.