Tattoo / Piercing Permits & Licenses in Reno, NV

Required for all LLC formation. Annual list and business license filings due within 60 days of formation.

Required for ALL businesses operating in Nevada, including LLCs. Renew via SilverFlume portal.

Required for all LLCs annually.

State law (NAC 441A.620) requires individual licenses for tattoo artists. Issued locally but per state regs. Bloodborne pathogen training prerequisite. Applies statewide via district health authorities.

Required under NRS 444.510 and NAC 441A for piercing practitioners. Infection control training required. Local health districts enforce (e.g., SNHD, Washoe County HD).

Required per NAC 441A.655 for tattoo/piercing facilities. Facility plans review ($346) prerequisite. State regs enforced locally. Confirmed via NV DHS: https://dpbh.nv.gov/Regulations/BodyArt/BodyArt_Home/

Required if using DBA. Expires after 5 years unless renewed. County recording may also apply.

Tattoo and piercing services are generally not subject to Nevada sales tax as they are considered services, not tangible personal property. However, retail sales of aftercare products, jewelry, or merchandise must be taxed. A sales tax permit is required if selling taxable goods. Registration is done via the Nevada Taxpayer Account (NTA) online portal.

Required if the business has employees. Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages. Nevada does not have a state income tax on individuals, but employers must still register for reporting purposes if applicable under federal rules or for local taxes. Note: Nevada does not impose a state personal income tax, so no state income tax is withheld. However, this registration may still be required for compliance tracking if federal withholding applies.

All employers in Nevada must register with DETR and pay unemployment insurance taxes. New employers pay a standard rate for the first few years, then move to an experience-rated system. Registration is completed via the DETR Employer Portal.

The Commerce Tax is a gross receipts tax imposed on businesses operating in Nevada with annual gross revenue exceeding $4 million. It applies to all business types, including LLCs. Rates vary by business category; for 'Other Services' (which includes tattoo and piercing), the rate is 0.1125%. Filings are quarterly. Most small tattoo studios will not meet the $4M threshold.

EIN is required for federal tax reporting. Even single-member LLCs without employees may need an EIN for banking or state tax accounts. Applied for online via IRS website.

Most cities and counties in Nevada require a local business license or privilege tax. For example, Clark County and the City of Las Vegas both require registration. Fees and requirements vary. Tattoo and piercing studios may face additional health and zoning regulations at the local level.

All businesses operating in Nevada must obtain a State Business License from the Nevada Secretary of State. This is separate from local licenses. The initial fee is $200, with a $200 renewal fee each year. Required for LLCs, corporations, and other entities.

LLC owners (single or multi-member) are subject to federal self-employment tax on net business income. Must file Schedule C (Form 1040) and pay estimated taxes quarterly. Applies regardless of whether employees are hired.

FUTA applies if the business has employees. Most employers qualify for a 5.4% credit, reducing effective rate to 0.6%. Must file Form 940 annually. Registration via EIN suffices; no separate FUTA registration.

Required for all businesses operating in unincorporated Clark County (Las Vegas area). Tattoo/piercing classified under personal services.

Tattoo/piercing requires specific endorsement. See fee schedule: https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/-/media/Files/BusinessLicensing/CurrentFeeSchedule.ashx

Specific to tattoo/piercing studios. Requires facility inspection, artist certification. Effective fees as of 2024.

Tattoo parlors often conditional use in commercial zones. Verify via https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/comprehensive_planning/zoning_code.php

Requires Certificate of Occupancy/Zoning Approval for personal services.

Required for any structural/alterations. See fee schedule: https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/building___fire_prevention/documents/fee_schedule.pdf

Comply with sign ordinance (Clark County Code Title 27).

Required for all commercial spaces. NFPA 101 compliance.

Per IFC 2018 adoption.

Tattoo/piercing allowed with health permit.

Requires zoning and health approval.

Mandatory for tattoo/piercing in Reno/Northern NV area.

Nevada law (NRS 616A.100) requires all employers with one or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. Sole proprietors and independent contractors without employees are exempt. Tattoo artists and piercers classified as employees (not contractors) trigger this requirement.

Not legally required by Nevada state law for all businesses or specifically for tattoo/piercing studios. However, many local health departments and landlords require proof of general liability insurance as part of licensing or leasing agreements. Strongly recommended due to risk of client injury or property damage.

Nevada requires a $1,000 surety bond for each tattoo establishment as part of the licensing process under NAC 645A.230. The bond protects clients against financial loss due to violations of state tattoo regulations. Bond must be issued by a surety company licensed in Nevada.

Not legally required by Nevada state law or the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology. However, highly recommended for tattoo and piercing studios to cover claims of negligence, allergic reactions, or infections. Often bundled with general liability in a Business Owner's Policy (BOP).

Required under Nevada law (NRS 485.185) for any motor vehicle registered to the business or used for business purposes. Personal auto policies typically exclude commercial use, so a commercial policy is necessary.

Not legally required by Nevada law. However, if the business sells physical goods (e.g., piercing jewelry, branded merchandise), product liability coverage is strongly recommended to protect against claims of defective or harmful products. Often included in broader liability policies.

Tattoo needles and machines are regulated as Class I medical devices. They must be registered with FDA, manufactured under quality standards, and labeled appropriately. Studios must use FDA-compliant, single-use, sterile needles. Reuse of needles violates federal law.

Requires eligible employees (12 months with employer, 1,250 hours worked) to be granted up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical or family reasons. Most small tattoo studios will not meet the 50-employee threshold.

All Nevada LLCs must file an Annual List of Officers and Registered Agent. This is equivalent to an annual report. Must be filed online via the Nevada Secretary of State portal.

Required for all businesses operating in Nevada, including LLCs. Must be renewed each year regardless of local county licensing.

Tattoo and piercing businesses must obtain and renew local county business licenses. Fees and deadlines vary by jurisdiction.

Required for all tattoo and body piercing establishments under NAC 441A. Application and renewal must be submitted through the Body Art Program. Renewal applications are due by April 30 of even-numbered years.

Each tattoo artist or piercer must hold a personal Body Art Practitioner License. Renewal requires proof of current bloodborne pathogens training (see below).

Training must be in bloodborne pathogens and infection control, compliant with OSHA standards. Certificate must be submitted with license renewal.

Facilities are inspected annually for compliance with infection control, sterilization, waste disposal, and recordkeeping. Inspection includes review of autoclave spore testing logs and client records.

Not required unless the tattoo/piercing studio obtains a liquor license and serves alcohol. Most tattoo studios do not serve alcohol, so this does not apply. If alcohol is served, liquor liability insurance would be required as part of the liquor licensing process through the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.

All LLCs, including single-member ones, should obtain an EIN for banking and tax purposes. Even if not required immediately, it is standard practice. The EIN is used for IRS reporting and state tax accounts.

Single-member LLCs are disregarded entities for federal tax purposes and report income on Schedule C of Form 1040. Multi-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships and must file Form 1065. All owners pay self-employment tax on net earnings.

Tattoo and piercing studios must comply with OSHA's General Duty Clause requiring a workplace free from recognized hazards. Specific requirements include Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sharps disposal, hazard communication, and exposure control plans. Applicable due to blood exposure risk.

Requires exposure control plan, universal precautions, PPE, training, hepatitis B vaccination offer, and proper disposal of contaminated waste. Mandatory for all tattoo and piercing studios with employees.

Requires physical access, communication access, and policy modifications to serve people with disabilities. Includes accessible entrances, restrooms, pathways, and effective communication (e.g., for deaf or blind clients). New constructions and alterations must meet ADA Standards.

While EPA does not directly regulate medical waste under RCRA for small quantity generators, federal standards apply if waste is hazardous. Most states (including Nevada) regulate biohazardous waste under state rules, but federal transportation standards (DOT) apply when shipping. EPA oversees hazardous waste determination under RCRA.

FTC requires that all advertising claims (including online, social media, and in-studio) be truthful, not misleading, and substantiated. Applies to claims about safety, aftercare, ink ingredients, or health benefits. Testimonials must reflect typical results and disclose material connections.

Form I-9 must be completed for every employee, regardless of citizenship. Employers must verify identity and work authorization using acceptable documents. E-Verify is not federally required unless mandated by state law or federal contract.

Tattoo artists and piercers are typically non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and must be paid at least federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) and overtime (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week). Tip credits do not apply in this industry.

FDA regulates tattoo inks as cosmetics and considers them adulterated if they contain unsafe color additives. While FDA does not currently approve inks pre-market, it monitors adverse events and has authority to take action. Nevada tattoo studios must use inks compliant with FDA color additive regulations (21 CFR 740.1).

Required under the Nevada State Fire Code. Includes review of exits, fire extinguishers, flammable materials storage, and emergency plans.

EIN itself does not expire, but businesses must file annual or quarterly tax returns if they have employees or certain tax structures.

Tattoo and piercing businesses exceeding $400,000 in annual gross revenue must register and file Commerce Tax. Thresholds vary by business type.

Employers must withhold and remit MBT on wages paid to employees. Filing frequency (monthly, quarterly) depends on tax liability.

Summary of work-related injuries and illnesses must be posted annually, even if no incidents occurred. Required under OSHA’s recordkeeping rule.

Required postings include Minimum Wage, Equal Employment Opportunity, OSHA Safety, and Nevada-specific labor laws. Employers must display current versions in a visible location.

All body art facilities must perform quarterly biological monitoring (spore testing) of autoclaves. Results must be documented and available for inspection.

Must retain client consent forms, proof of age, and procedure details for at least 2 years. Required under NAC 441A.200.

LLC owners may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments if net income is subject to self-employment tax.

Businesses must keep tax accounts active and file returns even if no tax is due (zero filing may be required).