Tattoo / Piercing Permits & Licenses in Knoxville, TN

Required for all LLCs. Annual Report also required (see separate entry). Fees effective as of 2024.

All active LLCs must file annually regardless of activity level.

Each tattoo artist must hold individual license. Requires bloodborne pathogens training (16 hours initial, 8 hours annual renewal) and proof of completion.

Each piercing technician must hold individual license. Requires bloodborne pathogens training (16 hours initial, 8 hours annual renewal) and proof of completion.

Required for any facility performing tattooing or body piercing. Must meet plan review, construction standards, and inspections prior to operation.

Must register in each county where business operates. Renew every 4 years.

Tattoo/piercing services generally exempt from sales tax, but retail sales (jewelry, aftercare products) require registration.

All businesses selling taxable goods or services in Tennessee must register for sales tax. Tattoo and piercing services are subject to sales tax in Tennessee. See TN Code § 67-6-201(a)(1)(A) and Rulings 17-05 and 18-04 confirming that tattooing and body piercing are taxable services. Registration is done via the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP).

All Tennessee LLCs are subject to franchise and excise tax regardless of business type. This is an annual obligation. The tax is based on net worth and real estate valuation. Filing is required even if no tax is due. Form FAE 101 is filed annually.

Required if the business has employees. Employers must withhold Tennessee income tax from employee wages. Registration via TNTAP. Employers must file Form WH-301 quarterly and deposit taxes based on payroll frequency (monthly or semi-weekly).

All employers with one or more employees must register. New employers assigned a standard rate of 2.7% for up to three years. Employers report and pay quarterly using Form UI-7. Registration via Tennessee Workforce Online (TWO) system.

Tennessee allows cities and counties to impose a local business privilege tax (also called 'business tax'). Required in most municipalities. Must be obtained from city or county trustee. List of local trustees: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/article/local-business-tax. Tattoo and piercing studios typically fall under 'personal services' classification.

Required for all LLCs for federal tax purposes, even without employees. Needed to open a business bank account, file taxes, and register with state agencies. Can be obtained online via IRS website immediately.

All counties require a business license for tattoo/piercing; contact county assessor for specific jurisdiction (e.g., Davidson, Shelby)

Required in all municipalities; tattoo/piercing classified under personal services. Check specific city clerk (e.g., Nashville: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/clerk/business-tax-licenses)

Tattoo/piercing typically requires special use permit in commercial districts; home occupation prohibited. Verify with local zoning code (e.g., Nashville Code Sec. 17.36)

Issued by county/regional health department after plan review, artist certification, and inspection per TN Rule 0080-11-01

Required for tenant improvements; must comply with IBC/IRC. Specific to city/county building official

Ensures NFPA compliance for exits, extinguishers; tattoo shops need sterile areas reviewed. Often bundled with occupancy cert

Complies with local sign ordinance (e.g., size, lighting limits). Not all signs require (under 6 sq ft often exempt)

Required in most cities to reduce false alarms

Mandatory for all employers with 5 or more employees in Tennessee. However, employers in the construction industry must carry coverage regardless of number of employees. For tattoo/piercing businesses (classified under personal services), threshold is 5 employees. Sole proprietors with no employees are exempt from mandatory coverage but may elect to cover themselves.

Not explicitly required by Tennessee state law, but strongly recommended due to high risk of claims related to infections, allergic reactions, or dissatisfaction. Some local jurisdictions may require proof of E&O coverage as part of business licensing. Not a legally mandated insurance at the state level.

Tennessee requires a $10,000 surety bond for each body art establishment under Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-11-4-.03(3). The bond ensures compliance with state body art regulations and may be used to cover fines or consumer restitution. Bond must be issued by a surety company licensed in Tennessee.

Required for any vehicle used for business purposes under Tennessee's Financial Responsibility Law (TCA § 55-12-101). Applies if the LLC owns or leases a vehicle. Personal auto policies do not cover commercial use.

Not legally required by Tennessee law, but highly recommended if selling physical goods. A single lawsuit related to contaminated aftercare cream or allergic reaction could result in significant liability. Coverage often bundled with general liability.

Not required for standard tattoo/piercing studios. Only applicable if the business holds a liquor license (e.g., as a barbershop lounge with alcohol service), which is rare and subject to strict zoning and licensing. Most tattoo studios do not serve alcohol and thus are not subject to this requirement.

While not required for sole proprietorships with no employees, most LLCs obtain an EIN for banking and liability protection. Mandatory for multi-member LLCs or those with employees.

Tattoo and piercing studios are explicitly covered under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) due to exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Requires an Exposure Control Plan, annual training, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and proper disposal of sharps and biohazard waste.

Not explicitly mandated by Tennessee state law as a standalone insurance, but effectively required through local health department regulations, commercial leases, and industry best practices. The Tennessee Department of Health's Body Art Rule 1200-11-4-.05 requires all body art establishments to operate in a manner that protects public health, which implies liability coverage. Strongly recommended and often required by municipalities.

All tattoo and piercing establishments are subject to routine inspection by the local health department for compliance with infection control, sterilization, and sanitation standards under TN Rule 1200-07-02-.03. Inspection frequency may vary by jurisdiction.

Required under International Fire Code adopted by Tennessee municipalities. Includes review of exits, fire extinguishers, and emergency plans.

Business must visibly display its current local business license and health permit at the entrance or reception area. Requirements vary slightly by city or county.

Each licensed tattoo artist must display their state-issued license in a visible location. This is required under TN Rule 1200-07-02-.04(2).

All tattoo and piercing studios must obtain and renew an annual permit from the Tennessee Department of Health. Application includes proof of compliance with infection control standards.

Tattoo artists must renew their individual license every two years. Renewal requires proof of current bloodborne pathogens training and compliance with health standards.

Required under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). Training must include exposure control plans, PPE, and needlestick prevention. Tennessee operates under federal OSHA jurisdiction.

Businesses must keep logs of autoclave spore testing, equipment sterilization, and sanitation procedures for at least 3 years. Subject to inspection by the Department of Health.

Required for payroll tax reporting. Employers must file Form 941 quarterly and Form 940 annually if they have employees.

Employers must file Form BOM-301 quarterly and pay unemployment insurance tax. New employers are assigned a standard rate of 2.5%.

Required posters include Federal Minimum Wage, EEO, OSHA Safety Rights, and Tennessee Workers' Compensation. Available for free download from federal and state websites.

Mandatory in Tennessee for employers with 5 or more employees. Sole proprietors may elect coverage. Proof of insurance must be posted or available upon request.

Tattoo and piercing establishments are considered "user facilities" under FDA regulations because they use needles and other devices regulated as medical devices. Required to report adverse events related to device use (e.g., infections from contaminated needles) to the manufacturer or FDA. No fee to register, but recordkeeping and reporting obligations apply.

Applies to all businesses. Tattoo and piercing studios must ensure advertisements are truthful, not misleading, and substantiated (e.g., claims about "sterile" procedures, aftercare, or infection rates). Also includes compliance with the FTC’s Endorsement Guides and the Telemarketing Sales Rule if applicable.

Under Title III of the ADA, businesses must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes physical access (entrances, restrooms, workstations) and communication access (e.g., providing services to deaf or blind clients). The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design apply to new construction and alterations.

All U.S. employers, including LLCs, must complete Form I-9 to verify identity and work authorization for every employee. Employers must retain I-9 forms for 3 years after hire date or 1 year after employment ends, whichever is later.

FLSA requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) and overtime (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week). Applies even if employees are paid commission or tips. Independent contractors must be properly classified to avoid misclassification penalties.

FMLA requires eligible employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical and family reasons. Requires posting a notice and providing individual employee notices. Most small tattoo studios will not meet the 50-employee threshold, but must comply if they do.

Used tattoo needles, ink caps, gloves, and other blood-contaminated materials are considered regulated medical waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Must be stored, labeled, and disposed of through licensed medical waste haulers. While EPA sets federal standards, enforcement is often delegated to states (Tennessee has its own rules aligned with federal standards).

All Tennessee LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State to maintain active status. The anniversary month is based on the formation date of the LLC.

Tattoo and piercing services are subject to Tennessee sales tax. Businesses must register with the Department of Revenue and file returns electronically. Frequency (monthly/quarterly) depends on tax liability volume.

LLCs are pass-through entities; owners must make estimated tax payments if liable for franchise and excise tax. Due dates align with federal estimated payment schedule.