How Do I Apply for a New Tattoo Artist Permit?

These instructions assume you have already created an A&A account.  To create an account, go to the online licensing portal and click New User Registration.

The online licensing portal displays best on a desktop or laptop computer.

For application support, contact 855.824.4357.

For login or password reset support, contact 800.532.1174 or adperehreg@idph.iowa.gov 

1

Login and Apply

  1. Sign in to the online system
  2. Click Apply for a License, Permit, and Program
  3. Select Program: Tattoo Artist, Program Detail: Artist
Program site dropdowns showing the appropriate program type and program detail to select.
2

Application Form

  1. Answer questions under IDPH Reference and Affirmation.
    1. Note, you must include a description under any Yes answer.  Attach supplemental documentation about the Yes answer under the Attachment section.
IDPH Reference and Affirmation questions
  1. Answer Yes to all questions under Tattoo Artist Info Details
Tattoo artist info details questions
3

Attachments

  1. Click Add New Attachment
  2. Use the dropdown to select what type of document you are uploading
    1. Your training documents must be designated as Bloodborne Pathogens and First Aid training.
    2. If your training is in a single document, upload the document twice and set the type of one document as Bloodborne Pathogens and the other First Aid training
  3. Choose your file to upload
  4. Repeat this process until you have uploaded all of your documents.
  5. Click Continue and then OK.
Attachments section
  • If you upload an incorrect document, you can delete it using the red trash can icon. 
  • After clicking Continue and OK, your attachments are submitted and cannot be removed.  Contact the help desk if attachments need to be deleted.
4

Application Form - Supplemental

  1. Under Process Free Form Description - TATI Application Review, TATI Contact List, Click Add to create a new row and enter your employer information.
  2. Use the dropdown to select Employer.
    1. Enter your employer information. 
  3. If you do not have a tattoo employer or prefer not to answer, used the dropdown to select No Employer.
  4. Click Save.
Application form supplemental page.
  1. Click Continue and then OK.
5

Terms and Conditions

  1. Check the I agree with the terms and conditions box.
  2. Click Continue and then OK on the popup.
Terms and conditions. Agreement checkbox highlighted and continue button highlighted.
6

Make a Payment - Tattoo

  • You have the option to pay now with a credit card or pay later by mailing in a check or money order.
    • Applications are not considered submitted until a payment is made.
    • Program staff do not receive a notification for unpaid applications.
Payment Screen showing where to pay now with a credit card or pay later with a mailed-in check

Option 1 - Pay Online

  1. Click Pay Now on the first payment screen.
  2. On the second payment screen screen, click Pay Now. You will be taken to the Make a Payment screen.
  3. Please review the contact information.  This section automatically populates from your My Profile page.
  4. Scroll down and select your payment method
Payment screen showing the payment contact info text fields. There is an arrow pointed at the Payment Method dropdown.
  1. Enter your payment details for the "Checking or Savings" or "Credit/Debit Card" options.
    1. It is recommended to pay using a credit or debit card.
Payment screen for credit and debit cards. There is a red box highlighting the fields that must be completed and an arrow pointing at the Continue button.
Payment screen for checking or savings accounts. There is a red box highlighting the fields that need to be completed and an arrow pointing at the Continue button.
  1. Click Continue and then confirm the payment.

You will receive an email confirmation of your payment.

Option 2 - Pay Later

  • This is used to pay with a mailed-in check or money order.
  1. Use the Pay Later Options dropdown to select Check.
  2. You will be taken to the Programs page.
  3. Click on Details.
  4. Scroll down to the Payment section and click Print Bill.  
The payment section in the program details page. A red arrow is pointing at the Print Bill button

Your bill must be included with a mailed-in check or money order.

Mail your check or money order to:

  • DIAL (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing)
    ATTN: Tattoo Program
    6200 Park Ave, Suite 100
    Des Moines, Iowa 50321

Cash cannot be accepted.

7

Processing

  • After the payment is received, your application is considered submitted.
  • Please watch your email for your tattoo artist permit or any program staff follow-up.
  • Allow for one to two weeks for processing.
  • Allow for up to three to four weeks for processing during the renewal season (Oct-Nov) or if you answered Yes to any affirmation question.
    • Please keep this processing schedule in mind if you are applying for the current year's permit and next year's permit.
8

Returning to an Application or Resolving Issues

Returning to an in-progress application

  1. Sign into the online licensing system
    1. Do not click Apply for a License, Permit, and Program.  
  2. Use the "Select personal license or an organization to proceed" dropdown and select Personal Licenses.  Click Continue. 
  3. Locate your in-progress tattoo artist application and click Edit.
  4. Continue from the Application Form step.
    1. Some information may already be saved.

Error - Cannot get past the Terms of Service page

  1. Ensure all questions under the Application Form, Tattoo Artist Info Details, and Renewal Details (if applicable) are answered.
  2. Ensure you have one uploaded training document designated as "bloodborne pathogens" and another training document designated as "first aid."
  3. For additional support, contact the help desk at 855-824-4357 or env.health@dia.iowa.gov.