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San Mateo County Health
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Body Art

Overview

Body Art

San Mateo County Environmental Health Services is the local agency responsible for implementing the Safe Body Art Act in San Mateo County.  Effective July 1, 2012, the law requires body art be performed in a safe and sanitary manner to prevent the potential spread of blood-borne diseases. It establishes specific requirements for body art facilities and practitioners, as well as limited requirements for mechanical piercing. 

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

Dawson Coblin

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

Belmont, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Mateo

Lucas Willis

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

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

Enforcement

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

  • Administrative fines up to $1,000.00 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

BODY ART CODE AND REGULATIONS

General information

Body Art Practitioner Registration Information

Body art practitioners are those who perform tattoo, piercing, permanent cosmetics, and branding on a person’s skin. Practitioners are required to receive annual training in bloodborne pathogen standards to ensure they know how to prevent the transmission of bloodborne diseases. They must also perform these procedures in approved Body Art Facilities that have a valid health permit and are inspected by Environmental Health Specialists from San Mateo County. 

Application Process

New and returning practitioners are required to submit a complete practitioner application packet (listed under “Practitioner Form Checklist”) and pay the practitioner registration fee (see fee schedule here).

Click here to submit payment through the online portal.

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