2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 20 - Professional and Occupational Licensing, Certification, Title Protection and Registration. Examining Boards › Chapter 387a - Tattoo Technicians › Section 20-266o. - Licenses. Qualifications. Renewal. Exceptions. Regulations.

(a) On and after July 1, 2014, no person shall engage in the practice of tattooing unless the person is eighteen years of age or older and has obtained a license or temporary permit from the Department of Public Health pursuant to this section.
(b) (1) Each person seeking licensure as a tattoo technician on or before January 1, 2015, shall make application on a form prescribed by the department, pay an application fee of two hundred fifty dollars and present to the department satisfactory evidence that the applicant: (A) Is eighteen years of age or older; (B) has successfully completed, within the three years preceding the date of application, a course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that complies with the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as described in 29 CFR 1910.1030 et seq., as amended from time to time, and that requires the successful completion of a proficiency examination as part of such course; and (C) holds current certification by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association in basic first aid or by an organization using guidelines for first aid published by the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.
(2) Each person seeking licensure as a tattoo technician after January 1, 2015, shall, in addition to satisfying the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, provide documentation to the department, in the form and manner required by the commissioner, of having (A) completed not less than two thousand hours of practical training and experience under the personal supervision and instruction of a tattoo technician, or (B) practiced tattooing continuously in this state for a period of not less than five years prior to January 1, 2015.
(c) Licenses issued under this section shall be subject to renewal once every two years. A license to practice tattooing shall be renewed in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-88 for a fee of two hundred dollars. A licensee applying for license renewal shall, as a condition of license renewal, successfully complete a course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that complies with the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as described in 29 CFR 1910.1030 et seq., as amended from time to time, and that requires the successful completion of a proficiency examination as part of such course. Each licensee applying for license renewal shall sign a statement attesting that the licensee has successfully completed such education course within the six months preceding the expiration of the license on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Health. Each licensee shall retain certificates of completion that demonstrate compliance with the requirement for a minimum of four years after the year in which the course was completed and shall submit such certificates to the department for inspection not later than forty-five days after a request by the department for such certificates.
(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse rendering service in collaboration with a physician, a registered nurse executing the medical regimen under the direction of a licensed physician, dentist or advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant rendering service under the supervision, control and responsibility of a physician.
(e) No person shall use the title “tattoo technician”, “tattoo artist”, “tattooist” or other similar titles unless the person holds a license issued in accordance with this section.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a person may practice tattooing if such person has obtained a license or temporary permit pursuant to this subsection or practices tattooing temporarily in the state as an instructor or participant in an event, trade show or product demonstration in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (3) of this subsection.
(1) The department may grant licensure to any person who is licensed at the time of application as a tattoo technician, or as a person entitled to perform similar services under a different designation, in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or a commonwealth or territory subject to the laws of the United States and who submits evidence satisfactory to the department of (A) a current license in good standing to practice tattooing from such other state, commonwealth or territory, (B) documentation of licensed practice in such state, commonwealth or territory for a period of at least two years immediately preceding application, (C) successful completion of a course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that complies with the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as described in 29 CFR 1910.1030 et seq., as amended from time to time, and (D) current certification by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association in basic first aid. Pending approval of the application for licensure, the commissioner may issue a temporary permit to such applicant upon receipt of a completed application form, accompanied by the fee for licensure, a copy of a current license from such other state, commonwealth or territory and a notarized affidavit attesting that the license is valid and belongs to the person requesting notarization. Such temporary permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed one hundred twenty calendar days and shall not be renewable.
(2) The commissioner may issue a temporary permit to an applicant previously licensed in Connecticut whose license has become void pursuant to section 19a-88. Such applicant for a temporary permit shall submit to the department a completed application form accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars, a copy of a current license in good standing from another state and a notarized affidavit attesting that such license is valid and belongs to the person requesting notarization. A temporary permit for an applicant previously licensed in Connecticut whose license has become void pursuant to section 19a-88 shall be valid for a period not to exceed one hundred twenty calendar days and shall not be renewable.
(3) A person who: (A) Provides instruction on tattooing techniques; or (B) participates in the demonstration of a tattooing-related product or offers tattooing as part of a professional course, seminar, workshop, trade show or other event, may practice tattooing for such purpose, provided such person described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision (i) is licensed or certified in the state, territory or possession of the United States or foreign country that is the primary place where such person practices tattooing if such state, territory, possession or foreign country requires licensure or certification for tattooing, (ii) has successfully completed a course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that complies with the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as described in 29 CFR 1910.1030 et seq., as amended from time to time, within the preceding three years, (iii) practices tattooing under the direct supervision of a tattoo technician, (iv) does not receive compensation for tattooing, other than for providing instruction or tattooing services to persons in attendance at the course, seminar, workshop, trade show or event, and (v) provides instruction, demonstrates tattooing techniques or offers tattooing only for persons enrolled in the course, seminar or workshop or attending the trade show or event at which the person provides instruction, demonstrates a product or offers tattooing. Any person or organization that holds or produces a course, seminar, workshop, trade show or other event at which a person who is not a tattoo technician licensed in the state provides tattooing instruction, participates in the demonstration of a tattooing-related product or offers tattooing to persons in attendance at the trade show or event shall ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.
(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a student tattoo technician may practice tattooing under the personal supervision of a tattoo technician for a period not to exceed two years. A student tattoo technician shall register with the department for purposes of completing the practical training and experience required to obtain a license pursuant to this section. An application for registration shall be submitted to the department on a form prescribed by the commissioner and shall be accompanied by documentation that the applicant (1) has successfully completed a course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that complies with the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as described in 29 CFR 1910.1030 et seq., as amended from time to time, and that requires the successful completion of a proficiency examination as part of such course, and (2) holds current certification by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association in basic first aid. Such application shall include a notarized statement signed by a tattoo technician providing that such licensee acknowledges having responsibility for personally supervising the applicant's practical training and experience in tattooing.
(h) No license or temporary permit shall be issued under this section to any applicant against whom professional disciplinary action is pending or who is the subject of an unresolved complaint in any state or jurisdiction.
(i) The Commissioner of Public Health may, in accordance with chapter 54, adopt such regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of sections 20-266o to 20-266s, inclusive.
(P.A. 13-234, S. 132; P.A. 14-231, S. 68; P.A. 19-105, S. 7.)
History: P.A. 14-231 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “July 1, 2014,” with “January 1, 2015,” in Subdivs. (1) and (2), amended Subsec. (f) by adding provision re practicing tattooing temporarily in the state and, in Subdiv. (3), by replacing provisions re temporary permit with provisions re person who provides tattooing instruction, participates in product demonstration or offers tattooing as part of course, seminar, workshop, trade show or other event, and made a technical change in Subsec. (i), effective June 13, 2014; P.A. 19-105 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by adding reference to organization using guidelines published by the American Heart Association and American Red Cross, effective July 1, 2019.