Tattoo / Piercing Permits & Licenses in Honolulu, HI

Required for all businesses; tattoo/piercing specifically listed as activity requiring license

Required for all businesses in Honolulu; tattoo parlors explicitly regulated under HRS Chapter 467B but local license mandatory

All businesses; tattoo/piercing studios require this plus state tattoo license

Mandatory for all commercial activities including body art services

Hawaii does not impose a corporate franchise tax or annual LLC fee based on existence alone. LLCs are not subject to franchise tax. This distinguishes Hawaii from states like Delaware or California.

All LLCs must file Articles of Organization online via BREG system to obtain Certificate of Good Standing. No separate general business license exists in Hawaii.

Required for all LLCs to maintain good standing. Filed online.

Individual artists must submit application, proof of bloodborne pathogen training (e.g., OSHA-approved course), photo ID, and physician statement confirming no infectious diseases. No exam required. Applies to tattoo artists only.

Individual piercers must submit application, proof of bloodborne pathogen training, photo ID, and physician statement. No exam required. Separate license from tattoo artist license.

Requires submission of floor plans, equipment list, proof of licensed artists, and on-site inspection for compliance with Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) §11-137. Premises must meet sterilization, wastewater, and infection control standards.

File online via BREG if using trade name/DBA. No renewal required unless changes made. Publication in newspaper may be required for some counties.

All businesses in Hawaii, including tattoo and piercing studios operating as LLCs, must register for the General Excise Tax (GET), which functions similarly to a sales tax but applies to gross income. The standard GET rate is 4% on Oahu; rates vary by county (e.g., 4.5% on Maui and Hawaii County). This is required even if no employees are present.

This tax applies only if the tattoo/piercing business rents space to transient tattoo artists or provides accommodations. Most standard studios do not trigger this requirement. Not applicable to typical operations.

Required for any LLC that hires employees. Employers must withhold Hawaii income tax from employee wages and remit it to the state. This is in addition to federal withholding obligations.

Employers in Hawaii must register with DLIR and pay unemployment insurance taxes. Rates are experience-rated based on claim history. New employers are assigned a standard rate (e.g., 2.7% in 2024).

All businesses subject to Hawaii income taxation must register. However, pass-through entities like LLCs (unless electing corporate taxation) do not pay entity-level income tax. Instead, owners report profits on personal returns. Registration ensures proper reporting and compliance tracking.

All businesses operating in Hawaii must obtain a county-issued business license (also called a 'General Excise Tax License' at the county level). This is separate from state GET registration. Required even for home-based or small studios. Renewal is annual.

Required for all LLCs, regardless of employee count. Used for federal tax reporting, including income, employment, and excise taxes. Can be obtained online via IRS.gov.

While RCRA does not directly regulate small quantity generators of medical waste, states like Hawaii implement EPA guidelines. Federally, improper disposal of biohazardous waste (e.g., needles) violates the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Tattoo studios produce regulated waste and must use licensed disposal services. Specific to this industry due to needle and blood exposure.

The formal "Tattoo Removal Rule" is still in development, but FTC has taken enforcement actions under existing consumer protection authority. See FTC press releases and enforcement cases (e.g., 2023 action against laser clinics).

Requires clear disclosure if a reviewer received compensation or free services. Common in tattoo studios using Instagram or TikTok influencers. Applies under FTC Act Section 5. Industry-specific due to high reliance on visual social media marketing.

All U.S. employers must verify identity and work eligibility using Form I-9. While not exclusive to tattoo studios, non-compliance is common in small service businesses. Applies to all employees, including artists and front desk staff.

Requires minimum wage ($7.25/hour federally; Hawaii state rate is higher), overtime pay (1.5x for >40 hours), and proper classification. Tattoo artists are often misclassified as independent contractors; DOL scrutinizes this. Industry-specific risk due to commission-based pay models.

FDA regulates tattoo inks (as cosmetics) and needles (as medical devices). While no pre-market approval is required, inks must not be adulterated or misbranded. Needles must meet sterility standards. FDA has issued warnings about contaminants in inks. Specific and critical to tattoo businesses. Piercing jewelry may also fall under FDA if marketed with health claims.

Requires eligible employees to be granted up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. Most small tattoo studios will not meet the 50-employee threshold, but multi-location LLCs might. Applies only under specific size conditions.

All Hawaii LLCs must file an Annual Report each year. The due date is determined by the quarter in which the LLC was formed. Example: If formed in February, due March 31. Online filing available via the DCCA eHawaii.gov portal.

Tattoo/piercing not permitted in all zones (e.g., prohibited in residential); check specific county zoning code (e.g., Honolulu Ordinance 88-92)

Specific to tattoo/piercing; requires floor plans, equipment list, infection control plan per Hawaii Body Art Code (effective 2023)

Tattoo studios typically require due to aerosols, chemicals; IFC Chapter 11 occupancy permit

Required for sterilization areas, sinks; must meet Hawaii Building Code

Strict size/illumination limits per zoning; e.g., Honolulu Sign Ordinance 02-15

Verifies compliance with building, fire, zoning codes for tattoo studio use

Required under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §386-7. All employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. This includes full-time, part-time, and minor employees. Sole proprietors are not required to cover themselves unless they elect coverage. LLC members are considered employers and may opt out unless they perform manual labor. Coverage must be obtained through a licensed insurer or approved self-insurance program.

While Hawaii does not legally require general liability insurance for tattoo/piercing businesses, landlords, local counties, or professional associations may require proof of coverage as a condition of occupancy or licensing. It is strongly recommended due to risks of bodily injury claims. The Office of Cleanliness and Licensing (OCL) under the Department of Health does not list insurance as a licensing requirement but mandates compliance with health and safety rules that could lead to liability.

No state law in Hawaii mandates professional liability insurance for tattoo or piercing artists. However, given the nature of services involving permanent body modification, this coverage is strongly recommended. The Hawaii Department of Health requires adherence to infection control and safety standards (HAR §11-15), but does not require malpractice insurance. Independent contractors within an LLC should verify if they are covered under the business policy or need individual coverage.

A $10,000 surety bond is required for each tattoo artist and body art establishment under HAR §11-15-5 and HRS §321-31. The bond ensures compliance with state health regulations and covers damages from violations. The bond must be issued by a surety company licensed in Hawaii and filed with the OCL. Applies to all tattoo and piercing businesses, including LLCs. Bond must remain active during entire period of operation.

Hawaii law (HRS §287-2) requires all motor vehicles registered in the state to carry liability insurance meeting minimum limits: $20,000 bodily injury per person, $40,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage. This applies if the LLC owns or leases a vehicle used for business purposes (e.g., transporting supplies). Personal auto policies do not cover commercial use.

Hawaii does not legally require product liability insurance. However, if the LLC sells tangible goods (e.g., tattoo aftercare products, body jewelry), it assumes liability for product defects. While not mandated, this coverage is strongly recommended and may be required by vendors or retailers. Regulated under general product liability laws (HRS Chapter 663).

Liquor liability insurance is not required unless the business holds a liquor license issued by the Hawaii Liquor Commission. Tattoo or piercing studios are not typically licensed for alcohol service. If alcohol is served, even informally, the business must obtain a liquor license and carry dram shop liability insurance. Most standard policies exclude alcohol-related claims unless specifically endorsed.

Required for all LLCs, especially if they have employees or are taxed as a corporation. Even single-member LLCs without employees may need an EIN if they operate under a business name. This is a foundational federal requirement for tax administration.

LLCs are pass-through entities by default. Members must report business income on personal returns and pay self-employment tax (Schedule SE). Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065; single-member LLCs report on Schedule C. Specific to all LLCs but critical for tattoo/piercing businesses due to high cash transaction volume and independent contractor risks.

Mandatory for tattoo and piercing studios due to exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Requires an Exposure Control Plan, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper disposal of sharps, and annual employee training. Applies specifically to body art businesses due to high risk of needlestick injuries and blood exposure.

Requires employers to maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS), label containers, and train employees on chemical hazards. Tattoo studios commonly use isopropyl alcohol, antiseptics, and cleaning agents regulated under HCS. Specific to this industry due to frequent handling of biohazardous and chemical agents.

All public accommodations, including tattoo and piercing studios, must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes physical access (ramps, door widths), communication access, and service policies. While not industry-specific in scope, enforcement is active in personal service businesses like tattoo parlors.