Complete the temporary establishment application at least 30 days from the temporary event's date.
Submit the appropriate fee based on the number of participating artists.
Submit a copy of the floor plan.
Submit promo material for the event.
Submit a list of participating artists and their permit numbers (TAT-A-0000) at least seven days before the event.
No. Body piercing is not regulated by state law. However, some county or city health departments may have body piercing regulations. Be sure to check with your county or city health department.
No. Individuals under the age of 18 are prohibited from getting a tattoo, regardless of parental consent.
Tattoo artists are required to verify that their client is not a minor.
Tattoo artist permits process in one to two weeks.
Allow for three to four weeks of processing time during the renewal period (Oct. - Dec.) or for any application Yes answer follow-up.
Tattoo establishment permits are typically three to four weeks.
Allow for up to six weeks of processing during the renewal period (Oct. - Dec.) or for any application Yes answer follow-up.
Processing time can vary based on inspection county availability
Applications are not considered submitted until the associated fee is paid.
No. Tattoo establishments and temporary establishments must be in a commercially zoned, permanent building.
Tattoo permits are sent to the email on file for the tattoo artist or establishment.
The email for your tattoo artist permit can be changed on the My Profile page which can be accessed by signing into the online licensing system.
The email for tattoo establishment permits can be updated by contacting env.health@dia.iowa.gov.
Tattooing involves puncturing the skin and making an indelible mark of ink under the skin.
If the microblading or permanent makeup services you are providing fall under the above criteria, then it is regulated under the tattoo program and requires permitting.
Tattooing performed in the practice of medicine by a physician, surgeon, osteopathic physician or surgeon, or other qualified licensed or certified nonphysician persons to whom a physician, surgeon, osteopathic physician or surgeon has appropriately delegated pursuant to 653—Chapter 13 does not require a permit pursuant to Iowa Code section 10A.531.
"Tattooing” does not include applying a tattoo for radiological purposes.
Permits can be verified using the online licensing system's Public Search menu.
Names entered into their respective fields must be exact.
"%" serves as the wildcard operator for a partial name search.
For example, searching for First Name: "J%" Last Name: "Doe" searches for individual license holders with a first name starting with "J" and the last name "Doe."
