BUREAU OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
BODY ART PROGRAM
Pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 300, the Safe Body Art Act became effective throughout California. The Safe Body Art Act regulates tattooing, branding, body piercing, and permanent makeup. The new law requires all body art practitioners to annually register with their local city, obtain annual bloodborne pathogen training, provide documentation of Hepatitis B vaccination status, obtain specific health information from clients, and obtain "informed consent" from clients.
The Safe Body Art Act also requires the owner of a body art facility to obtain a Health Permit, operate the facility in a safe and clean manner, maintain written procedures for the operation of the facility, and maintain records of training and equipment sterilization. AB 300 also regulates the performance of temporary body art events.
Environmental Health Inspectors conduct annual inspections of body art facilities to determine compliance with the Safe Body Art Act and may suspend or revoke permits and registrations under specified conditions.
The following tattoo inks have been voluntarily recalled because they are contaminated with microorganisms:
- Scalpaink SC, Scalpaink PA, and Scalpaink AL basic black tattoo inks manufactured by Scalp Aesthetics (all lots distributed from 8/6/2018 through 10/1/2018) – Recall Completion Date 5/17/2019
- Dynamic Color - Black tattoo ink manufactured by Dynamic Color Inc (lots 12024090 and 12026090)
- Solid Ink-Diablo (red) tattoo ink manufactured by Color Art Inc. (dba Solid Ink) (dba Antone's Ink) (lot 10.19.18)
For more information and updates on recalls issued by the U.S. FDA go here
BODY ART REGULATIONS
BODY ART FACILITY AND PRACTITIONER APPLICATION
Facilities and practitioners operating in the City of Long Beach are also required to maintain an annual Health Permit. Please note that for new facilities, clearance must be obtained from Building & Planning before a health inspector can be assigned. Please refer to the following packet for documents required to process the application/permit:
BODY ART TEMPORARY EVENT APPLICATIONS
Temporary events held in the City of Long Beach are required to apply with our office. Please note: Organizers will need to apply first before a practitioner/vendor can apply. Please refer to the following temporary event packet(s) for documents required:
- Body Art Temporary Event Application: Organizer Packet
- Body Art Temporary Event Application: Practitioner Packet
ADDITIONAL BODY ART INFORMATION/RESOURCES
- Body Art Temporary Event FAQ
- Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training Providers
- U.S. FDA: A Tattoo for You? Seven Key Questions to consider
- State of CA Medical Waste Transporters
For more information regarding our program and/or the application process, please contact us at (562) 570-4132.
