Hi...does anyone know where one goes to get certified to be a

[schmuls]

tatoo artist?

[hlthe2b]

1. Depends on the state and the locale

Not all states regulate--some leave it to local regulation... Thus, not all states certify. A good place to start might be with your local or state public health department.

[ChrisMCV]

5. Ask some inkers about apprentiship

Its not a field you want to just set up shop and do, I considered it for a long time, but couldn't take the pay cut to intern so never followed through.

Pick who you work for carefully, now that a lot of the 'fad' tattoo craze is lessened, your left with a pretty fair number of crap artists out there I wouldn't let ink a grapefruit.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. Prison?

:shrug:

[SPedigrees]

8. LOL

[rucky]

3. Start at your State's SOS website.

They should have all the licensing requirements listed.

[Warpy]

4. You have to go through an apprenticeship in an established shop

and then be licensed by whatever state you're going to practice in if tattooing is legal in that state.

There's a lot more to it than shoving ink into somebody's skin. You have to be a solid artist who knows how to do it to keep yourself and your clients safe.

I've seen infected tats. They're nasty.

[ChrisMCV]

6. Agreed

A good artist balances the clients tastes, their skill and a good eye for what will look good vs. what the person thinks will look good and wraps it all in good sterile technique honed with a LOT of practice.

It was a fine line I didn't think I could tread (I am stubborn about my art work, if you want me to stop working on something, start offering suggestions, LOL)

[pipi_k]

7. Infected tat....

yeah, I had one myself. Upper left arm. I don't know what happened, but it got really nasty...I ended up in the ER with my upper arm covered with dripping red and white pustules and all sorts of ugly.

Luckily, I got some cream that took care of it.

[slampoet]

9. +1 on apprenticeship. i have a former co-worker who did this.

[damntexdem]

10. On the biceps is best.

Don't let them put it on your butt.

;-)

[zbdent]

11. you could get in trouble for showing your credentials ...