St. Joseph County, IN Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)

09 makes it unlawful to operate a tattoo or body-piercing facility in St. Joseph County without a valid permit from the health officer, posted where customers can see it, and the facility and practitioner permits both run for one year, renewed by the last day of February. A mobile facility's permit holder must notify the county health department 72 hours before an event, a temporary practitioner permit expires 31 days after it is issued, and an apprentice must be at least 18, prove it with a certified birth certificate, and practice only in the presence of a mentor who already holds a county permit.

07 requires every practitioner applicant to submit a driver's license copy, a certified birth certificate proving they are at least 21, a high school diploma or GED, documentation of relevant training and certifications, a work history, and a physician's statement dated within 30 days certifying they are free of communicable disease. 10 require accessible hand-washing stations, ban tattooing or piercing in any room used as or opening into living quarters, exclude live animals except service and police dogs, and prohibit eating, drinking, smoking or handling contact lenses in areas exposed to blood.

The disinfectant solution used on surfaces must be hospital-grade at half a percent concentration and discarded after 24 hours. 11 requires single-use dye and pigment containers discarded after each customer. 12 lets the health officer inspect facilities, issue a written violation notice, and gives the operator 15 days to request a hearing before a suspended permit is automatically revoked.