Tattoo regulations in Oregon
Oregon's Health Licensing Office licenses tattoo artists and body art facilities. An artist licence requires set training hours, bloodborne pathogens and first aid training, and passing written and practical exams. Facilities are inspected against state infection control rules.
Last checked September 25, 2026
Minimum age
Who you can tattoo, and with whose permission.
Minimum age
18 and over
Younger clients
Parental consent is not an exception
As we understand Oregon law, no one under 18 may be tattooed, even with a parent's consent. Confirm with the Health Licensing Office if you are unsure.
Consent
What the customer signs before each tattoo.
Client records
What to record and how long to keep it.
Keep for 3 years
Common practice, not set by law
What to record
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Type of ID checked
- Date of the procedure
- Placement on the body
- Description of the tattoo
- Artist
- Health questionnaire answers
- Client signature
Ink
What can go into the skin and what you must record.
Sterilization and waste
Cleaning, sterilizing and getting rid of sharps.
Licensing
What you need to open a studio and work in it.
Guest artists
Hosting artists from somewhere else.