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Age of Reason: Piercing and Tattoo Laws and Age Limits

Posted by Body Candy on

*Look at the 2017 Update to the Laws in your state : http://blog.bodycandy.com/2015/05/27/age-of-reason-piercing-and-tattoo-laws-and-age-limits-2015-update/

Because there’s no specific federal laws and regulations concerning age limitation for body modifications in the United States, each state sets their own standard, and the differences vary widely.  So how do you know how old you have to be in your state?  Well, here’s a little helping hand:

In the states of Alaska, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Oregon, there are no laws concerning age limits for body piercing or tattooing.  In these states, individual professionals in either of these arts will often set their own standards, and depending on exactly where you live, there might be local regulations for certain specific modification types.  Even though it’s legal to get pierced in these places under the age of sixteen, piercers will often require parental presence or consent in those situations, and for some services a valid ID will be required.

In Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, there are no age limits for piercing, but tattooing of a minor requires parental consent in either verbal or written form.

The following states require written consent from a parent or guardian for any body piercing or tattooing of someone under 18: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, Utah, and Vermont.  In some of these places, like Florida and Kentucky, the written consent form must be notarized.

And in these states, a parent must actually be present for either service, and sometimes also provide a signature or written consent: Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming.

The states of California, Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Washington, deem it illegal for those under 18 to get a tattoo, period, but piercings are allowed with the presence or consent of a parent.

Most of the remaining states have very specific regulations.  For example, for residents of Idaho, it’s illegal to get pierced, branded, or tattooed under the age of 14, and between fourteen and eighteen you need a parent’s permission.  And in the state of Mississippi, any modification except ear lobe piercings is illegal to perform on someone under 18 at all.  Also, in both Georgia and Illinois, only medically licensed professionals can tattoo minors, and both piercing and tattooing require parental permission.

In other countries, like those in the UK, legal age is 16 rather than 18 like in the US, and piercing regulations are often set up by local governments.  Intimate piercings are illegal under the age of 16, but for other piercings there are no strict age limits, and the most common municipal regulations include simply the presence or consent of a parent.

*Look at the 2015 Update to the Laws in your state : http://blog.bodycandy.com/2015/05/27/age-of-reason-piercing-and-tattoo-laws-and-age-limits-2015-update/

  • A

    Hey Sam,

    Nevada doesn’t regulate piercing/tattoo shops, so it’s most likely on a shop-by-shop basis.

    You might have to bring a parent along to give permission… Find a professional shop in your area and call them up before you head out to make sure they’re comfortable piercing you!

    ALLEY (BODY CANDY TEAM) on
  • S

    Would I be able to get an eyebrow piercing at age 13 in Nevada?

    Sam Wiggins on
  • A

    Hi Sapphire!

    Check out our latest blog on piercing/tattoo laws here:

    https://www.bodycandy.com/blogs/news/age-of-reason-piercing-and-tattoo-laws-and-age-limits-2015-update

    ALLEY (BODY CANDY TEAM) on
  • S

    Can I get a lip piercing at the age of 14 in Georgia with my parents consent?

    Sapphire on
  • A

    Hi Roxana,

    This is a tricky one! Nevada doesn’t regulate tattoo/piercing shops, so this might be on a case-by-case basis. Each shop will have their own set of rules and regulations. If you’re still interested, call a shop beforehand – they’ll be happy to let you know.

    Alley (Body Candy Team) on

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