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San Mateo County Health
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Body Art

Overview

Body Art

A body art practitioner with a Practitioner Registration issued from any other jurisdiction within California has limited reciprocity. This is intended to allow the Practitioner to practice within this county and any other county in California for 5 consecutive days, but no more than 15 days total, in a calendar year.

A valid Body Art Practitioner Registration will either have an issue date on or after July 1, 2012 or compliance with AB 300 is noted on the registration by the issuing jurisdiction.

Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training Courses must be in compliance with the Safe Body Art Law (AB 300) Section 119307(c) and approved by the issuing jurisdiction. Review San Mateo County’s approved list of Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training .

Pay your invoice online. Note, renewing facilities and practitioners must also separately submit a complete application (located in sections below) and any other required documents shortly after payment or the payment will be returned and the permit or registration will not be renewed.

District Inspectors

INSPECTOR

DISTRICT

Darrell Cullen

EHS IV
dacullen@smcgov.org
(650) 464-3825

 San Mateo, Millbrae

Dawson Coblin

EHS III
dcoblin@smcgov.org
(650) 208-8989

Redwood City, Belmont, Menlo Park

Lucas Willis

EHS III
lwillis@smcgov.org
(650) 207-7269

 Burlingame, Daly City, South San Francisco, Pacifica, San Bruno

Enforcement

You may be subject to the following penalties for violations of the California Safe Body Art Act:

  • Administrative fines up to $1000.00 dollars per violation
  • Permit and Practitioner Registration violations are subject to misdemeanor, suspension, modification, revocation and administrative fines up to 3x the cost of the permit or registration fee.
  • Closure of the Body Art Facility and Temporary Event
General information

Body Art Practitioner Registration Information

Registration Requirements:

  • You must be at least 18 years of age to give or receive a tattoo
  • You must have a valid Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Training Certificate
  • You must practice within a Permitted Body Art Facility

Application

To obtain or renew a Body Art Practitioner Registration, you are required to submit a completed registration application and attach the information requested on the registration instruction sheet.

General information

Permanent Body Art Facility Information

Facility Requirements

All Permanent Body Art Facilities shall comply with Article 4 starting with Section 119312 of California’s Safe Body Art Law.

Application

To obtain or renew a Permanent Body Art Facility Permit you are required to submit a completed Permanent Body Art Facility Application.  You can download the application forms below.  You can submit the application materials to us in one of three ways:

1. Scan and email to: envhealth@smcgov.org

General information

Body Art Expo Practitioner Information

Practitioner Registration

All practitioners wishing to participate in a temporary body art event (expo, show, demonstration) must have a current and valid California body art practitioner registration.

 
There are two acceptable registration options:

1. You are a registered practitioner 
from another jurisdiction in the 
State of California.
 

General information

Body Art Expo Sponsor Information

New 2023

It is the responsibility of the Sponsor of a temporary body art event (expo or show) to submit all the participating practitioners required registration documents as ONE PACKET to the County, at least 21 calendar days prior to the event. The County will quality control each individual registration and provide a final list of approved practitioners back to the Sponsor for billing and entrance to the event.  Failure to submit any event practitioner registrations 21 calendar days prior to the event will be subject to late pe