Body Art Program
Environmental Health Division oversees body art activities throughout the county, including registrations for practitioners and inspections of facilities such as tattooing, piercing, and permanent cosmetics. All body art facilities are required to have a valid business license from their city and a permit to operate from the division, complying with the structural and operational requirements set forth in the Safe Body Art Act. The division protects public health by ensuring that all body art activities meet these standards and maintains a list of approved practitioners and facilities. If you are considering getting a body art procedure, it’s important to research both the practitioner and facility to ensure they are registered or permitted with the Ventura County Environmental Health Division.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is required for a body art practitioner to perform body art in Ventura County?
A body art practitioner must maintain a valid registration with the division, complete approved Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Training within the past year, submit an application for registration, pay the practitioner registration fee, and provide proof of vaccination or completion of the OSHA Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination Form.
What is the process for a new body art facility to obtain a permit to operate in Ventura County?
A new body art facility must go through the plan check process, obtain a valid business license from the city where the facility is operating, and comply with the structural and operation requirements set forth in the Safe Body Art Act.
What are the sterilization procedures that a body art facility providing onsite sterilization of their reusable equipment and jewelry must follow?
The facility must operate in accordance with the sterilization procedures set forth in the Safe Body Art Act, as outlined in the Body Art Facility Autoclave Sterilization Procedures and Log document.
Who can I contact for questions or information regarding the Body Art Program in Ventura County?
You can contact Karen Farin, Jeremiah Ramos, or Rick Bandelin using the contact information provided in the context.
What forms must a body art client complete before receiving a service?
A body art client must complete the Body Art Client Informed Consent Form and the Body Art Medical History Questionnaire before receiving a body art service.
See the Online booking in Environmental Health
What We Do
Think Before You Ink
Assembly Bill AB1168, known as “The Safe Body Art Act,” amended existing requirement for all body art activities, including body piercing, tattooing, permanent cosmetics facilities, temporary events, and mechanical ear piercing. The revisions to the existing law became effective January 1. 2014.
If a body art facility or body art practitioner is providing body art within the County of Ventura without a permit registration or doesn’t appear safe and clean, click here to File a Complaint.
Body Art Practitioner Registration
Practitioner on-line payment click here.
Online Body Art Practitioner Registration
Step Two: Provide information required documents and pay registration fee
**Required attachments – Create PDF documents of Approved Bloodborne Pathogen Training Course Certificate, Hepatitis B information, and identification.
Directions on how to create an account.
All practitioners performing body art in Ventura County are required to maintain a valid registration with this division. The body art practitioner registration is separate from the facility’s permit to operate. Both are required to perform body art in Ventura County. If you are a body art facility owner, the fee for the practitioner registration will be 50% of the regular rate (Click here to view current Fee Schedule). Practitioners need to submit the following to this division to obtain a current body art practitioner registration:
- Certification of completing one of the Approved Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Training Classes within the past year.
- Completed OSHA Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination Form or proof of vaccination
- Application for Registration to Perform Tattoo, Body Piercing, Branding, and Permanent Cosmetics
- Practitioner Registration fee
Payment can be made in the form of cash or check, payable to the Ventura County Environmental Health Division (VC EHD). Credit Card payments are accepted online or at the Ventura County Environmental Health Office counter; there is a service fee for credit card payments.
Body Art Facility Permit to Operate
All body art (permanent cosmetics, tattooing, branding, and/or piercing) facilities located in Ventura County are required to possess a valid business license from the city where the facility is operating and a valid permit to operate from the Ventura County Environmental Health Division. All body art facilities are required to comply with the structural and operation requirements set forth in the Safe Body Art Act. The facility’s permit to operate is separate from the body art practitioner’s registration. Both are required to perform body art in Ventura County. If a facility has not been previously permitted as a body art facility, it will be required to go through the plan check process. Click the following links for more information.
- Body Art Facility Plan Check Guide
- Body Art Facility Plan Check Application
- Body Art Facility Health Permit Requirements
- Body Art Facility Site Map Example
- Body Art Facility Finish Schedule
- Application for a Body Art Facility Health Permit for Tattooing, Body Piercing, Branding, and Permanent Cosmetics
- Body Art Infection Prevention Control Plan Guideline (IPCP)
Mobile Body Art Facility
All body art facilities operating in Ventura County, including mobile facilities, are required to possess a valid business license from the city where the facility is operating, a license from the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the vehicle, California Department of Motor Vehicles Occupational License, and a valid permit to operate with the Ventura County Environmental Health Division. All mobile body art facilities are required to comply with the structural and operational requirements set forth in the Safe Body Art Act. If a facility has not been previously permitted as a body art facility, it will be required to go through the plan check process. Click the following links for more information.
Temporary Body Art Event
All temporary events will require an event sponsor to submit the Temporary Event Sponsor Application and fee payment no less than 30 days prior to the event. The event sponsor is responsible for organizing the participating practitioners and booths. All events are required to meet the operational and structural requirements set forth in the Safe Body Art Act. Contact VC.BodyArt@ventura.org with any questions.
Sterilization Procedures
Body art facility providing onsite sterilization of their reusable equipment and jewelry must operate the per the sterilization procedures set forth in the Safe Body Art Act.
Mechanical Stud and Clasp Ear Piercing
Facilities providing Mechanical Stud and Clasp Ear Piercing (MSCEP) are required to notify this division of operation.
Examples of Body Art Client Forms
Additional Body Art Links
- Body Art Program Fee Schedule
- Ventura County Ordinance Code, Chapter 5, Article 3 Medical Waste Management and Safe Body Art
- List of CDPH Approved Sharps Waste Haulers
- List of Sharps Waste Mail Back Companies
- List of CDPH Approved Alternative Treatment Technologies
- Permanent Cosmetics and Tattoo Supplies Recall
- FDA Warning on Topical Pain Relief Products
- Intenze Product Inc. Warning Letter
- Color Art, Inc. DBA Solid Ink Warning Letter
- Dynamic Color Inc. Warning Letter
- How to Report a Cosmetic Product Related Complaint
Contact Us
Program Specialist
Karen Farin
Karen.Farin@ventura.org
(805) 654-5007
Jeremiah Ramos
Jeremiah.Ramos@ventura.org
(805) 477-7110
Supervisor
Matthew Madison
(805) 654-2435
Matthew.Madison@Ventura.org
Manager
Rick Bandelin
(805) 654-2815
Rick.Bandelin@ventura.org
