The growing popularity of tattoos and the inherent public health risks should persuade state legislators to look at strengthening tattoo parlor regulations.

Allen County residents who are under the impression that tattoo shops are proliferating are not suffering from a fit of the imagination. In 2005, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health issued 52 permits to tattoo artists along with 15 licenses for tattoo- and body-piercing establishments. In 2008, the local health department issued 123 tattoo-artist permits and 37 shop licenses.

The number of temporary permits for visiting tattoo artists is also growing. The health department issues 30-day permits for artists wanting to provide tattoo services in Allen County on a temporary basis. Some body-art shops invite guest artists as a special event. Two guest permits were issued in 2005. Fifty-five have been issued so far this year.

In response to the growth in the industry, the health department updated the county ordinance regulating tattoos in 2001 and again in 2008. To earn a permit, tattoo artists have to pass a state blood-borne pathogen training program. The health department inspects licensed tattoo shops twice a year.

But the local department – already strained by limited resources and growing public health demands – is to some extent constrained by state laws. While state legislators approve tattoo regulations, they also need to ensure local health departments have the resources to enforce those regulations.

Responsible tattoo artists working in Indiana want the state to improve its regulations.

Don Corah, a tattoo professional with 29 years of experience, is the owner of Artisan Tattoo Co., with two locations in Fort Wayne. He is a member of the National Tattoo Association and serves on the board of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists.

“I don’t necessarily believe in more government intrusion into businesses,” Corah said. “But as far as tattoo studios go – since they can pose a public health risk – then I think it’s right for government to set up sensible rules and regulations to protect public health.”

And he agrees that it is an issue that needs to be tackled at the state level.

“Allen (County) was one of the very first to institute an ordinance requiring any licensing,” he said. “There are many counties in Indiana that don’t. More Indiana counties don’t require licenses than do.”

Two major improvements to tattoo regulations state legislators should consider are requiring some proof of professional experience and limiting the sale of tattoo equipment to licensed tattoo professionals.

Currently, anyone can walk in off the street and buy tattooing equipment, making it too easy for unlicensed and unqualified people to operate underground.

Because tattoos involve blood and needles, untrained tattoo artists are a public danger.

Missouri laws make it a punishable offense to advertise as a tattoo artist without a permit. And gaining a permit in Missouri requires 300 hours of professional training. In New Jersey, a tattoo artist must have at least 2,000 hours of experience and is asked to submit 10 photos of tattoos he or she performed as part of the permit application.

Corah said the Alliance of Professional Tattooists supports the state requiring a three-year apprenticeship, 1,200 hours of training and 50 supervised procedures before granting a permit and allowing an artist to work on the general public. State leaders should listen to the professionals’ advice.