Without a doubt, Florida is one of the most unique and entertaining regions of the United States. Every year, tens of thousands of people decide to relocate to the Sunshine State and it’s also a major hub for tourists.
There are many reasons why people love Florida so much. The weather is great, the beaches are beautiful, and there’s always something to do.
One of the best things about Florida is that it’s home to some of the most iconic theme parks in the world. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld are all located in Florida and attract millions of visitors each year.
Also, the state has a massive appeal for tattoo enthusiasts since there are so many great shops and artists to choose from. Every year, there’s also a big number of tattoo conventions that take place in Florida.
But does the above mean that everyone is eligible to get tattooed in Florida? Unfortunately, no. Akin to other states of the US, Florida has its own regulations and restrictions when it comes to tattoos and who can get them.
If you’ve been considering getting your ink work done there, continue reading. We will now look at the latest tattoo laws in Florida.
Florida Tattoo Laws – All You Need to Know
Florida has tattoo regulations that apply both to customers and tattoo artists.
Tattoo Laws for Customers
Surprise, surprise – not everyone is legally permitted to get tattooed in Florida. But that’s the norm across the US.
However, the only restriction applies to age.
Tattoo age laws in Florida are the following: the minimum age to get a tattoo is 18 years old. However, unlike in some other, more strict regions, a minor aged 16 or 17 is eligible to get a tattoo if:
- they provide parental consent (either from the parent or legal guardian)
- the parent or legal guardian is present throughout the procedure
- both parties can provide IDs and proof of age and relationship
There’s also a rule that says minors under the age of 16 can also be exempted from the ban if they obtain a doctor’s note. In such cases, the procedure is conducted for medical purposes and requires a qualified doctor or dentist.
Funnily enough, getting tattooed as a kid isn’t a charging offense in Florida. The law only penalizes tattoo artists who decide to ink minors without meeting the conditions mentioned above.
Tattoo Laws for Artists
Under Florida law, only licensed artists can perform tattoo procedures in the state. Tattooing from home or in any other unlicensed place is strictly prohibited, meaning that the tattoo parlor also needs to adhere to certain regulations.
First and foremost, the shop needs to have a clean and safe environment that adheres to basic hygiene rules. The needles need to be new and disposable, and the inks – single-use.
The shop also needs to have a license that’s renewed every year.
As already mentioned, it’s the artist’s duty to make sure that the person he is tattooing is of legal age (at least 18) or that the parent or guardian is present if the customer is a minor. The artist needs to make sure that the connection between the two parties is legitimate and that they can both prove it.
If the artist breaks any of these tattoo laws in Florida, he risks being fined or even going to jail (although that’s really rare).
References
All the information on Florida tattoo laws is based on official sources:
