The Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Registration Act, enacted in July 2007, requires all establishments performing physical body adornment, including but not limited to body piercing, tattooing, cosmetic tattooing, branding, and/or scarification, to register with the Illinois Department of Public Health for a permit to operate such establishment.

With each annual certificate of the registration application, the applicant shall submit a $500.00 non-refundable fee. The $500 non-refundable fee shall satisfy the cost of the certificate of registration and the registration of one workstation. For each additional work station located in the facility, applicants shall submit, at the time of application, and additional $50 non-refundable fee

The Act requires the inspection of tattoo and body piercing establishments to ensure compliance with State standards, including equipment labeling and general operation, preparation and care of the body art area, disinfection and sterilization procedures, requirements for single-use items, and body artist proficiency requirements. The Clay County Health Department is responsible for conducting inspections on new establishments, routine inspections, and complaint inspections.

Potential enforcement actions from the Department include exclusion of any or all operators/apprentices from an establishment who are responsible or appear to be responsible, for the transmission of a communicable disease until the Department determines there is no further risk to public health; permit suspension, denial and revocation; assessment of fines; and, referral to the county State’s Attorney for prosecution as a public nuisance.

Additional Information

For information on opening a Body Art Establishment (whether it is a new or existing facility), or on obtaining a Temporary Certificate of Registration for educational, trade show, or product demonstration purposes in Clay County, please contact the Clay County Health Department at (618)662-4406.

Establishments shall have a copy of the Body Art Code on the premises at all times.

Additional Resources

What to Know About Getting a Tattoo – Illinois Department of Public Health

What to Know About Getting a Piercing – Illinois Department of Public Health

Think Before You Ink: Are Tattoos Safe? – US Food and Drug Administration

Basic Guidelines for Getting a Tattoo – Alliance of Professional Tattooists, Inc