Nassau County, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Nassau County Dept. of Health
- Artist certification
- Required; valid 3 years
- Exam fee
- $200 certified check/money order
- Studio
- Permit + sanitary inspection
- Statutory basis
- NY Public Health Law Article 4-A
Summary
Every tattoo, microblading, permanent-makeup, or body-piercing artist in Nassau County must hold a Department of Health Artist Certification, and every studio must hold a Studio Permit. No location may offer these services without one.
Any individual that performs tattoo, microblading, permanent make-up, or body piercing services in Nassau County is required to hold a valid Tattoo/Body Piercing Artist Certification issued by the Nassau County Department of Health. ... Any location where tattoo, microblading, permanent make-up, or body piercing services are offered is required to hold a valid Tattoo/Body Piercing Studio Permit issued by the Nassau County Department of Health.
Full Breakdown
The Nassau County Department of Health runs its own certification and permit program. Artists must file an application, submit a $200 certified check or money order, show photo ID, and pass a 50-question in-person exam; the resulting Artist Certification is valid three years and must be renewed. Any location offering these services must hold a Tattoo/Body Piercing Studio Permit, and the Department inspects studios for sanitary compliance and investigates complaints. The county program operates under New York Public Health Law Article 4-A, which bars operating a studio or working as a tattooist or body-piercing specialist without a permit.
Violations & Fines
Performing tattoo, microblading, permanent-makeup, or body-piercing work, or operating a studio, without the required Department of Health certification or permit is prohibited; studios failing sanitary inspection face Board of Health enforcement under Public Health Law Article 4-A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do individual tattoo artists need a license in Nassau County?
Does a Nassau County tattoo studio need its own permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nassau County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Nassau County to another location·View the New York business licensing & operations overview
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