Body art includes tattooing, cosmetic tattooing, microblading, body or ear piercing, branding, or scarification. In Montana, each body art facility must be licensed. Multiple artists can work under the same license at a facility. If a facility offers both tattooing and piercing, a license for each is required.
You also need a body art license for pop-up events.
A body art establishment can be anything from an earlobe only piercing station to tattoo shop. Because body art varies so much, there is not one specific list of equipment or requirements that apply to all establishments. However, there are some basic guidelines:
- The body art area must be separate from any living areas.
- You must have a hand sink in your work room, or within 10 feet of the door. This hand sink cannot be a bathroom sink.
- You must have a waiting area separated by walls or another barrier. A roped-off waiting area is acceptable.
- All equipment that comes into contact with bodily fluids must be sterilized. You can use all pre-wrapped disposable equipment or reusable equipment if you have an autoclave.
- If you will use an autoclave, you must have a separate cleaning room with a sink.
- You must have a mop sink, utility sink, or toilet available to dispose of mop water.
- You must have a bathroom available for staff and customers.
- Temporary and mobile set-ups must follow all body art rules.
Each artist working under a body art license must have certificates for Bloodborne Pathogen Prevention, First Aid Training, and the Montana General Sanitation Training.
To get your General Sanitation certificate, take the online General Sanitation quiz offered by DPHHS. Contact DPHHS at (406) 444-2823 for the current password.
First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogen Training can be taken either in-person or online. Bloodborne Pathogen Training should meet the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
1. Review the Body Art Plan Review Application and gather all required documents. If you will be providing both tattooing and piercing, two separate plan reviews are required.
2. Submit your plan review packet and pay the plan review fee. The base review fee is $285. Additional fees may apply if your plan review includes reviews for septic systems or private wells.
Remember that Missoula Public Health is just one agency that has regulations that apply to body art establishments. There may be building permits, zoning restrictions, business licensing, and other regulations you are required to follow.
To avoid expensive mistakes or delays, do not start building, remodeling, or purchasing equipment until you have approval from Missoula Public Health and other applicable agencies.
3. Respond to questions and comments from your reviewer. Once your plans are approved, your reviewer will email your approval letter to you. Our goal is to complete reviews within 30-60 days of submittal.
4. Schedule a pre-operations health inspection. After you receive your approval letter and your project is complete, contact your reviewer to conduct a pre-operational health inspection. This inspection should take place after all other required inspections have been passed (building, plumbing, etc).
At the end of a successful inspection, your reviewer will issue your health license and collect the annual licensing fee. An additional inspection and fee will be required if work is not completed at time of inspection.
Body art licenses are tied to the establishment’s location and owner. If either the location or the owner changes, a new body art license is required, and plan review must be submitted to Missoula Public Health. Licenses cannot be transferred. See “How to get a new body art license” above for a step-by-step guide of this process.
Licenses expire December 31st every year. To avoid late fees and license deactivation, you must pay for your license renewal on or before December 31st. License fees for renewals are collected directly by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Safety (DPHHS). Follow the instructions on the Montana DPHHS website to pay for your renewal: Montana DPHHS License Renewal
Phone numbers, email addresses, and your mailing address can be updated directly on the Montana DPHHS website: Montana DPHHS Update License Contact Information
Please note that a change in ownership or establishment address requires a new plan review and license and cannot simply be updated.
Please note
Missoula Public Health is just one of the agencies that apply to body art establishments. There may be building permits, zoning restrictions, business licensing, and other requirements that apply. If your business is within city limits, contact the City of Missoula. If you are outside city limits, contact Missoula County.
Submit your plan
Have questions about your permit?
Licensed Establishment Sanitarians are available for calls and walk-in questions Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. No Sanitarian available on Mondays or Thursdays.