How Do I Apply for a New Tattoo Establishment Permit?

1. Sign in to the online system
2. Click New Company Registration to create a new tattoo establishment in the licensing system.

3. Enter the establishment information in the required Company Profile fields:
4. Complete the basic profile details and physical address details for the company.
5. Enter the company name without any extra periods or special characters (apostrophes are okay).
6. For company type, firm/entity.
7. Under Address select “Work.”
8. Enter remaining address details. Fields with a red * are required.
   1. Unit Type has options for entering: PO BOX, APT, Unit, or Suite. 
9. At least one phone number is required.
10. Click Continue

• Name or physical address changes for a company can only be submitted by emailing env.health@dia.iowa.gov.

1. Navigate to the My Profile page in the left menu.
2. Use the "Select your facility name, organization name, or personal license" dropdown to select your tattoo establishment.  Click Continue.  You will be taken to the program page for that establishment.  

3. Click Apply for License, Permit, or Program in the left menu.
4. Select Program: Tattoo Facility, Program Detail Permanent Establishment

5. Click Continue and then OK on the popup.

1. Answer the questions under Affirmation.
   1. You must type a description under any answer you answer Yes to.  Attach supplemental documentation about the Yes answer under the Attachment section.

2. Answer the questions under Tattoo Establishment Info Details
   1. Enter your business hours in the freeform text box.
   2. Answer Yes to the "I have floor plans..." question. 
   3. Enter the county where the establishment is located.

1. Under the TATF Contact List, click the Add button on the right side of the page.
   1. You may need to use the scroll bar at the bottom of the TATF Contact List to view and fill out all of the required fields.

2. Select the Contact Type from the dropdown.  
   1. At least one owner must be listed for tattoo establishments. 
   2. The person(s) listed as an owner is responsible for the establishment permit.
      1. Owner responsibilities include keeping the establishment permit current, allowing only permitted artists to practice at the establishment, addressing violations observed during inspections, and maintaining client records. 
   3. Multiple owners can be added to the establishment permit.
3. Enter the owner information.  The First Name, Last Name, Phone Number, Street Address, City, State, and Zip are required fields
4. Click save.  Repeat as necessary.

1. Under the Attachments section, click Add New Attachment.

2. Use the Attachment Type dropdown to select Floor Plans.
3. Add a description.
4. Click Choose File to locate your floor plan file and add it to the upload queue.
   1. If you add an attachment by mistake, you can remove it with the red trash can icon.  
   2. After the files are uploaded, they cannot be removed by the public portal user.  Program staff will need to be contacted for any files that need to be removed.
5. Click Upload Attachments
   1. You will repeat this process when uploading documents for any application form Yes answers (if applicable).  The attachment type can be "Court Documents" or "Application File." 
6. Click Continue and then OK on the popup.

1. Check the I agree to the terms and conditions box.

2. Click Continue and then OK on the popup.

• 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.

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

5. 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.

6. 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.  

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.

• After your payment is processed, your application is considered submitted.
• Please allow two to four weeks for processing.  Additional time may be necessary to address application Yes answers or during the tattoo renewal season (Oct. - Nov.)
• Program staff will review your application and attachments.
  • Please keep an eye on your email for any program staff follow-up. 
• After the floor plan is approved, DIAL program staff contact your local inspection agency.  This correspondence is typically handled via email.
• After DIAL staff contact your local inspection agency, your local tattoo inspector will reach out to you and set up a time to conduct a pre-opening inspection.
• After a satisfactory inspection is complete, the inspector notifies the department.  The department then processes the establishment permit.

1. The application is not allowing the user to Continue from the Application Form page.
   1. Verify all required questions are answered.
   2. Verify you have an Owner saved in the TATF Contact List
   3. Verify at least one uploaded attachment has the Attachment Type "Floor Plans."
2. The application is not allowing the user to continue after agreeing to the public portal terms of service
   1. Go back to the Application Form page and verify all items in section 1. are satisfied.
3. Resuming an in-progress application
   1. You can close out of the in-progress application at any time and resume it later.  Unsaved data will be lost.  Clicking the Continue button saves your progress.
   2. Go to the My Profile page and use the  "Select your facility name, organization name, or personal license" dropdown to select your tattoo establishment.
      1. If this dropdown does not contain your establishment name, register your establishment using the New Company Registration button.
      2. Do not create a duplicate establishment using the New Company Registration button.
   3. You will be taken to the "My Licenses, Permits, & Programs" page.  Click the Edit button in the same row as the establishment you want to resume.