Travis County, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulator
- Texas DSHS statewide
- Statute
- TX HSC Ch. 146
- Minor tattoos
- Prohibited generally
- Record retention
- Two years
Summary
Tattoo and body piercing studios in Travis County need a Texas Department of State Health Services license under Health and Safety Code Chapter 146, with mandatory minor-consent rules, sterilization standards, and county zoning compliance.
Sec. 146.002. LICENSE REQUIRED. (a) A person may not conduct, operate, or maintain a tattoo studio unless the person holds a license issued by the department to operate the tattoo studio. Except as provided by Section 146.0025, a person may not conduct, operate, or maintain a body piercing studio unless the person holds a license issued by the department to operate the body piercing studio. (b) Except as provided by Section 146.0025, a person may not practice tattooing or body piercing at a temporary location unless the person holds a temporary location license for tattooing or body piercing, as appropriate, issued by the department. (c) The license must be displayed in a prominent place in the tattoo or body piercing studio or temporary location.
Full Breakdown
DSHS regulates tattoo and body piercing studios statewide under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 146. Studios pass annual inspections covering sterilization, single-use needles, sharps disposal, and consent records. Tattoos on minors are prohibited except for cover-ups of obscene marks; piercings allow parental consent for ages under 18. Travis County applies land use rules outside Austin; Austin adds local registration. Records are kept two years. Cosmetic tattooing falls under separate DSHS rules; bloodborne pathogen training is required.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a DSHS license, tattooing minors illegally, or failing sterilization inspection results in license suspension, fines up to $5,000 per day, and Class A misdemeanor charges for repeat offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 16-year-old get pierced in Travis County?
Are mobile tattoo events legal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Travis County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Travis County to another location·View the Texas business licensing & operations overview
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