Body Art

Body Art establishments are required to be licensed in El Paso County in accordance with the El Paso County Board of Health Body Art Regulations. Environmental Health Specialists routinely inspect licensed body art establishments and respond to complaints to assure compliance with these regulations and to prevent the occurrence of blood borne pathogens and other communicable diseases through training and enforcement of sanitary standards.

Examinations

Body Art Regulations Competency Exam are by appointment only. Exams are held between 9:00am and 3:00pm every Monday and Wednesday and must be scheduled below. If you require translation services, do not create an appointment. Please contact us directly for further assistance.

Body Artist

All body artists in El Paso County, CO must operate at a licensed Body Art establishment and have the following up-to-date certifications and documentation onsite:

  • First Aid Certification through Red Cross or American Heart Association
  • OSHA-approved Bloodborne Pathogens Training
  • Hepatitis B Vaccination Record or signed declination form
  • Body Art Regulations Competency Exam Certificate

Applications

Body art licenses are valid from January 1st thru December 31st of each year. We cannot prorate fees.

All body art applications are now available online for electronic submission!

If you choose not to complete an electronic application, completed PDF applications can be emailed to HealthInfo@elpasoco.com, mailed, or delivered to the Environmental Health Office.

El Paso County Public Health – Environmental Health Division
1675 W Garden of the Gods Rd, Ste 2044
Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Image of a tattooed shoulder.

To open a new body art establishment or move a current establishment to a new location, please complete the following application and submit to our office with all relevant documentation.

Obtaining a Temporary Event Permit

All body art temporary events held in El Paso County, Colorado that offer body art to the public must have a license and comply with the the El Paso County Board of Health Chapter 6 Body Art Regulations.

Per regulations, a Temporary Event is: A body art trade show, convention, procedural/product demonstration, educational seminar, or other similar event that does not exceed seven (7) consecutive days, at which body artists perform body art outside of a permanent body art establishment location.

Please submit the following application to our office no less than 30 business days prior to the event.

The Body Art Advisory Group (BAAG) was organized to share information between public health and industry. The group’s purpose is to encourage constructive feedback on customer service, policies and regulations, work together to improve the Body Art Program using current science, technology and educational opportunities and to prevent infectious disease in our community.

Meetings are held at the Public Health offices in the Citizens Service Center located at 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road. For more information, call 719-578-3142.

El Paso County recognizes establishments that have achieved “Excellence in Body Art Safety.”