Body art establishments include businesses that provide tattooing, body piercing, ear lobe piercing, permanent cosmetics, microblading, branding, and scarification. Body art establishments must be licensed and comply with applicable state and local public health requirements before operating.

Body Art Basics:

“Body piercing” means penetrating the skin to make a hole, mark, or scar that is generally permanent in nature.

“Tattooing” means making permanent marks on the skin of a live human being by puncturing the skin and inserting indelible colors. The term includes imparting permanent makeup on the skin such as permanent lip coloring and permanent eyeliner. The term does not include: the practice of electrology as defined in 37-31-101; or the use by a physician or medical professional who is licensed to practice in the state of Montana of colors, dyes, or pigments for the purpose of obscuring scar tissue or imparting color to the skin for cosmetic, medical, or figurative purposes.

Click here for additional definitions for Body Art. 

Licensing and Plan Review

The first step is to contact the Gallatin City-County Health Department before signing a lease, purchasing equipment, remodeling a facility, or beginning construction. Staff can help identify applicable licensing, water, wastewater, facility, and plan review requirements. 

Applicants must submit a plan review application when required, obtain any necessary approvals, ensure the facility meets applicable requirements, complete required training, pass a pre-operational inspection, and obtain licensure before operating. 

Generally, the licensing process includes: 

  1. Identify a proposed location that meets applicable zoning, building, fire, water, and wastewater requirements. 
  2. Submit a plan review application to GCCHD 
  3. Obtain any necessary approvals from applicable agencies. 
  4. Complete required training for operators and body artists. 
  5. Construct or prepare the facility to meet applicable body art requirements. 
  6. Schedule a pre-operational inspection with GCCHD once the facility is ready to operate. 
  7. Obtain licensure prior to performing body art procedures. 

Yes. New body art establishments, ownership changes, remodels, mobile establishments, and certain facility modifications may require plan review approval before operating. 

Regulations

Frequently Asked Questions

The fee for a body art plan review is $294.00. 

No. Body art procedures may not be performed until all required approvals have been obtained and the establishment has been licensed. 

The licensing process varies depending on the project. Construction, remodeling, plan review corrections, water and wastewater approvals, and inspection scheduling can all affect the timeline. Applicants are encouraged to begin the process well in advance of their anticipated opening date. 

Plan review applications should include information regarding the proposed facility layout, work rooms, cleaning and sterilization areas, water supply, wastewater disposal, equipment, and any other information necessary to evaluate compliance with applicable regulations. 

Licensure through GCCHD does not replace other applicable requirements. Depending on the project, approvals may also be required from local building departments, fire officials, zoning authorities, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and other agencies. 

No. Approval or licensure by GCCHD does not constitute approval under all other applicable federal, state, local, zoning, building, fire, or business licensing requirements. Operators are responsible for obtaining all other required approvals and permits. 

General Facility Requirements

Body art includes tattooing, body piercing, ear lobe piercing, permanent cosmetics, microblading, branding, and scarification. 

Possibly. Body art establishments may not operate within living or sleeping quarters. Any home-based establishment must be completely separated from residential areas by solid self-closing doors and have separate business access. 

Body art establishments must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Work rooms, waiting areas, restrooms, handwashing facilities, cleaning rooms, storage areas, and other client-accessible spaces must be kept clean and in good repair. 

Yes. All body art procedures must be performed in a designated work room separated from waiting areas and other public spaces. 

Generally, no. Animals are prohibited except for service animals, law enforcement animals, and certain aquatic species located outside of the work room. 

No. Eating, drinking, smoking, vaping, and tobacco use are prohibited in areas where body art procedures are performed or where instruments and supplies are cleaned or stored. 

Water and Wastewater

Yes. All body art establishments must have an adequate supply of safe, potable water. 

Yes. Private, shared, or multiple-user water supplies may be used if they meet applicable requirements. Water testing and a sanitary survey may be required before licensure. 

Coliform bacteria testing must be conducted at least twice annually and nitrate testing at least once every three years. Records must be maintained for at least three years. 

Yes. Body art establishments must be connected to an approved public sewer system or an approved wastewater treatment and disposal system. 

Mop water and other soiled cleaning water may only be disposed of in a mop sink, utility sink, or toilet. 

Restroom and Handwashing

Yes. A toilet and handwashing sink must be conveniently available to clients and body artists during all hours of operation. 

No. Equipment, instruments, and supplies used for body art procedures may not be stored or used in a restroom. 

Yes. Handwashing sinks must provide hot and cold running water, soap, and disposable towels or an approved hand-drying method. 

Sterilization and Infection Control

Yes. All reusable instruments that may come into contact with blood or body fluids must be individually wrapped and sterilized in an autoclave before use. 

Yes. Jewelry must either arrive from the supplier individually wrapped and sterile or be sterilized before use. 

No. Ultrasonic cleaners help clean instruments but do not sterilize them. Instruments must still be sterilized using an approved method. 

Establishments that reuse instruments generally need a separate cleaning and sterilization room. The room must be used only for cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing, storage, and related tasks. 

Autoclaves must undergo biological monitoring (spore testing) at least once per month. Results must be analyzed by a certified laboratory and posted in a conspicuous location. 

The operator must immediately stop using the autoclave and notify the health authority within one business day. 

Yes. Sterile packages containing instruments or jewelry must be opened in full view of the client before the procedure. 

Yes. Clients must receive aftercare instructions both verbally and in writing before every body art procedure. 

Yes. Body artists must thoroughly wash their hands and wear new disposable gloves for each procedure. Gloves must be changed whenever contamination occurs. 

Sharps, Waste, and Laundry

Yes. Body art establishments must maintain approved sharps containers for needles and other sharps. 

Waste contaminated with blood or body fluids must be separated from regular trash and disposed of according to applicable infectious waste requirements. 

Contaminated laundry must be stored separately in a closed, leakproof container or bag until cleaned. 

Solid waste must be removed from the premises at least weekly, or more often if necessary to prevent nuisance conditions. 

Client Records and Consent Forms

Yes. A client must sign a consent form before each body art procedure. 

The parent or legal guardian must be present and sign the consent form in person before the procedure. 

Consent forms must include client information, procedure information, risks and complications, symptoms of infection, aftercare acknowledgement, and consent for the procedure. 

Yes. Establishments must maintain client records for each procedure performed. 

Client records, consent forms, autoclave test results, and other required records must be maintained for at least three years. 

Yes. Records may be maintained electronically provided they are available during inspections. 

Training Requirements

Operators and body artists must complete training in general sanitation, first aid, and universal precautions for preventing the transmission of blood-borne pathogens before licensure. 

Yes. First aid and blood-borne pathogen certifications must remain current in accordance with the certifying organization's requirements. 

Yes, provided they have completed the required training and submitted documentation before performing body art procedures. 

Mobile and Temporary Establishments

Yes. Approval must be obtained before operation. Operators must submit a written plan demonstrating how the establishment will comply with applicable requirements. 

Yes. Temporary events may be approved if all applicable requirements are met and approval is obtained before the event. 

No. Outdoor tents are not permitted for body art procedures. 

  • Tattooing and/or body piercing event: $185.00 
  • Ear piercing only event: $125.00 

Yes. If reusable instruments are used, evidence of a passing spore test performed within 30 days of the event must be provided. 

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Questions?

If you have questions regarding tattooing, body piercing, cosmetic tattooing, or microblading, please contact the Gallatin City-County Health Department Environmental Health Division. 

Please note: Approval by the Gallatin City-County Health Department does not constitute approval under all other applicable federal, state, local, zoning, building, fire, business licensing, or land use requirements. Operators are responsible for obtaining all other required approvals and permits. 

Contact Us:

Call: 406-582-3120
Email: ehs@gallatin.mt.gov

Temporary Office Location:

400 E. Babcock Street, Bozeman