Racine County, WI Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)
Key Facts
- Training
- Annual bloodborne pathogen course required
- Approval
- Course approved by health division
- State rule
- Wis. Admin. Code SPS 221 adopted
- Scope
- Countywide except City of Racine
- Penalty
- Fee plus up to $1,000 forfeiture
Summary
Every tattooist and body piercer working in Racine County must complete an annual, health-division-approved bloodborne pathogen training course, and an establishment that skips this triggers an extra fee.
All body piercers and tattooists shall annually complete a bloodborne pathogen training course that is approved by the health division. Any tattoo or body piercing establishment allowing a tattooist or body piercer to practice in the establishment without proof of bloodborne pathogen training with be assessed a fee. This fee shall be established by board of health as part of the annual budget process.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
The county's food-and-lodging health article requires every tattooist and body piercer to complete a bloodborne pathogen training course approved annually by the Racine County Public Health Division. Sec. 21-15 separately adopts the state's body-art licensing rule, Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 221, and requires establishments to hold the permits that come with it. If an establishment allows a piercer or tattooist to practice without proof of that year's training, the county assesses an additional fee set annually by the board of health as part of the county budget process. Coverage runs countywide except inside the City of Racine, which licenses and inspects its own tattoo shops separately.
Violations & Fines
Letting an untrained tattooist or piercer work triggers a board-of-health fee, and permit or licensing violations under the article's general penalty section, Sec. 21-18(d), draw a forfeiture of $300 to $1,000 per violation plus prosecution costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Racine County tattoo artists need to renew training every year?
What happens if a shop lets an untrained artist work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Racine County
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