The Department of Public Health approves the operation of body art establishments and the certification of body artists and apprentices in Philadelphia. Body art includes (but is not limited to):
- Tattooing.
- Body piercing.
- Permanent makeup.
- Microblading.
As part of our work, we:
- Inspect body art businesses for sanitation and safety.
- Close down non-certified body art businesses.
- Maintain records of all certified body artists and apprentices in Philadelphia.
- Offer training classes on blood-borne pathogens to artists and apprentices.
Who
Anyone who wants to open a body art establishment in Philadelphia needs to complete all the steps in the application.
Cost
To open a body art establishment in Philadelphia, you may need to pay:
- $100 for an annual body art establishment certificate.
- $65 for a replacement certificate for a current body art establishment.
- $255 for a plan review if you’re opening a new business.
- $315 if you want to expedite the plan review process, in addition to the $255 for the plan review. The review will be completed within 10 business days if you choose to expedite.
There is an additional fee of $255 if you begin installing equipment or start construction on the space before your plan review application.
You can pay with a money order or credit card. To pay online using a credit card, you will need an email, daytime phone number, invoice number, and the amount owed. Call (215) 685-7344 to learn more about paying with a credit card.
How
To apply for a body art establishment certificate, an establishment must submit:
- A completed application for a body art establishment certificate.
- For new establishments, a completed application for a body art plan review for new body art establishments.
The plan review includes:
- An accurately scaled floor plan showing all areas and the location of all equipment.
- Structural facility information.
- Surface finish details.
- Lighting information.
- Ventilation information.
- Water supply and liquid waste disposal information.
- Refuse storage and disposal information.
- Sanitary facilities information.
- Equipment design and construction information.
- Notifications and client record information.
All body art artists working at a facility must have:
- A blood-borne pathogens (BBP) training certificate from an approved BBP provider.
- A Philadelphia Body Art Artist or Apprentice certificate.
Before a new facility can open or a change of ownership can be completed, the Department of Public Health must inspect the facility.