Ages for Body Piercing and Tattooing

Quick Links: Teens Body Piercing and Tattoos | Quiz: Are you raising a healthy teen?

Parents of teens who want piercings want to know: What are the legal age limits to be able to get a tattoo or body piercing? The age limits for piercings and tattoos are made by state laws. In many states it is illegal for a body art, piercing or tattoo artist to perform their work on a minor child without approval of their parents or at all.

Alabama

• A minor needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Alaska

• No age limit laws.

Arizona

• A minor needs the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Arkansas

• A minor needs written constent and the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

California

• It is illegal to tattoo a minor. The presence or notarized consent of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing other than an ear piercing.

Colorado

• A minor needs expressed informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Connecticut

• A minor needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Delaware

• A minor needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Florida

• A minor needs written notorized consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Georgia

• Tattooing of a minor must be done by a licensed osteopath or technician acting under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or osteopath.
• Piercing needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian.

Hawaii

• A minor needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing.
• No current age limits on piercings.

Idaho

• No tattooing, branding or body piercing of minors under the age of 14.
• A minor ages 14-18 needs written consent and the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Illinois

• Minors may not be at a tattoo shop without parent or legal guardian. Only medically licensed professionals may tattoo a minor.
• A minor needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing.

Indiana

• A minor needs written consent and the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Iowa

• It is illegal to tattoo a minor.
• No laws on piercing.

Kansas

• No laws currently on age limits for tattoos or body piercing.

Kentucky

• A minor needs written notarized consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Louisiana

• A minor needs the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Maine

• It is illegal to tattoo a minor.
• A minor needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing.

Maryland

• No laws currently on age limits for tattoos or body piercing.

Massachusetts

• No laws currently on age limits for tattoos or body piercing.

Michigan

• A minor needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing. Consent must be given in person by the parent or legal guardian.

Minnesota

• A minor needs witnessed written consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Mississippi

• It is illegal to tattoo or body pierce a minor. Does not include ear lobes.

Missouri

• A minor needs witnessed written consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Montana

• A minor needs consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a tattoo.
• No laws currently on age limits for body piercing.

Nebraska

• A minor needs written consent and the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Nevada

• No laws currently on age limits for tattoos or body piercing.

New Hampshire

• No laws currently on age limits for tattoos or body piercing.

New Jersey

• No laws currently on age limits for tattoos or body piercing.

New Mexico

• No laws currently on age limits for tattoos or body piercing.

New York

• No laws currently on age limits for tattoos or body piercing.

North Carolina

• It is illegal to tattoo a minor.
• A minor needs the expressed consent of the parent or legal guardian to receive a body piercing other than the ears.

North Dakota

• A minor needs the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a tattoo.

Ohio

• A minor needs the presence and written consent of the parent or legal guardian to receive a body piercing or tattoo.

Oklahoma

• It is illegal to tattoo a minor.
• A minor needs the presence and written consent of the parent or legal guardian to receive a body piercing.

Oregon

• No laws currently on age limits for tattoos or body piercing.

Pennsylvania

• A minor needs the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a tattoo.
• No laws currently on age limits for body piercing.

Rhode Island

• A minor needs the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

South Carolina

• Minors under the age of 18 may not get a tattoo. Young adults ages 18-21 may legally get a tattoo with written parental permission.
• No laws currently on age limits for body piercing.

South Dakota

• A minor needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Tennessee

• A minor older than 16-years-old my get a tattoo to cover an existing tattoo, requires their parent to be present and have ID.
• A minor needs written consent and the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing.

Texas

• A minor needs written consent and the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo. Adult needs proof of parentage or guardianship.

Utah

• A minor needs informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Vermont

• A minor needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Virginia

• A minor needs the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo - excludes ear piercing.

Washington

• It is illegal to tattoo a minor.
• No laws currently on age limits for body piercing.

West Virginia

• A minor needs written informed consent from parent or legal guardian to receive a tattoo. No laws currently on age limits for body piercing.

Wisconsin

• Minors may not be at a tattoo shop without parent or legal guardian. Only medically licensed professionals may tattoo a minor.
• No laws currently on age limits for body piercing.

Wyoming

• A minor needs the presence of the parent or legal guardian to receive a piercing or tattoo.

Quick Links: Teens Body Piercing and Tattoos | Quiz: Are you raising a healthy teen?

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures, 2009.