AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 62 and Title 68, relative to tattoo artist licensing.
Summary
HB0373 amends Tennessee’s tattoo artist licensing laws to tighten and clarify the training and experience requirements for obtaining a license. Under the bill, an applicant must complete at least one year of training in a certified shop under a currently licensed tattoo artist who meets specified experience and compliance standards. The supervising tattoo artist must sign the state apprenticeship completion application confirming the apprentice has met the requirement.
The bill also creates an alternative pathway for out-of-state tattoo artists: instead of meeting the in-state apprenticeship requirement, they may qualify by showing at least two years of professional tattooing experience in another state. The bill allows business licenses, tax records, and similar documents to serve as proof of prior work. It preserves an exemption for tattoo artists who were already in business in Tennessee on October 1, 1996. The act takes effect January 1, 2026.
Impact
The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 62 and Title 68, specifically Section 62-38-204, by revising the licensing standards for tattoo artists and apprenticeship verification. It affects aspiring tattoo artists, existing licensed tattoo professionals, tattoo shops, and out-of-state practitioners seeking Tennessee licensure, while leaving in place a grandfather clause for long-established in-state operators. The delayed effective date gives the industry time to adjust to the new licensing framework.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support for the bill, with unanimous committee votes in both the House Business and Utilities Subcommittee and the House Commerce Committee. No committee transcripts were provided, and there is no recorded opposition in the materials, suggesting the measure was viewed as a straightforward licensing update rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
No substantive contention is reflected in the provided record. The only potentially sensitive issue is the balance between consumer protection and professional access: the bill requires structured apprenticeship and proof of experience, which may be seen as raising standards, while also offering a pathway for out-of-state tattoo artists to qualify without repeating a full Tennessee apprenticeship. The grandfather exemption for artists in business before October 1, 1996, is another feature that could be viewed as protecting established practitioners.