Indiana Tattoo Laws in 2023 (Age, Fines & More)

The state of Indiana is the go-to place for both local US tourists and foreigners for a plethora of reasons.

It is one of the most naturally beautiful states in the country, with a rich history and culture. Indiana is also home to some of the best colleges and universities in the Midwest region.

When talking about Indiana, it’s impossible not to mention the booming tattoo industry. The state is quickly gaining a reputation for being a mecca for tattoo artists and enthusiasts who seek to get their first (or next) ink work at prices that hardly break the bank – especially when compared to some other regions of the country.

What’s important to know for anyone considering getting inked in Indiana is that the state has specific regulations on who can tattoo and get tattooed. Stick with us for a few minutes as we cover the latest tattoo laws in Indiana.

Without further ado, let’s go.

Indiana Tattoo Laws & Regulations

The state of Indiana has some specific tattoo rules both for customers and artists alike.

Tattoo Laws for Clients

Like in most states, Indiana’s tattoo rules for clients relate mostly to the minimum age requirement.

As of now, Indiana tattoo laws for minors are the following: you must be 18 years of age or older to get a tattoo in the state of Indiana. However, unlike some other, more strict states (eg. Illinois or Georgia), Indiana allows for an exception in this case.

Now you might be wondering: can you get a tattoo at 16 in Indiana? The only way a minor can get a tattoo in Indiana is if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian AND the artist has prior written consent from said parent or guardian.

The state also requires that the parent or guardian be present in the shop during the tattooing process.

Interestingly enough, legally speaking, the whole blame lies with the tattoo artists if they tattoo a minor without proper parental consent in Indiana.

What’s more, Indiana is one of few states that also have some regulations on the matter of tattoo placement. The state forbids inking the sclera with tattoos or even making those services available. The law allows for an exemption in cases when a licensed health care provider injures a patient while providing care that is within the extent of their training.

Tattoo Laws for Artists

Continuing from the above, a tattoo artist who doesn’t make sure all the laws are followed by the client faces a fine or even a jail term since he’s committing a Class A misdemeanor in Indiana.

Now that we know what the tattoo laws for clients are, it’s time to see what the deal is with artists.

In order to be permitted to perform a tattooing procedure, an artist based in Indiana needs to have a valid license. What’s more, he’s not allowed to work from home or any other place that isn’t a licensed tattoo parlor.

The studio needs to be up to the state’s sanitary standards, meaning:

  • there should be a separate area for storing and preparing tattoo inks, needles, and other equipment
  • the artist needs to wear gloves during the procedure
  • all the needles used during tattooing must be sterile and disposable
  • the table, chair, and other surfaces that come into contact with the client’s skin need to be sanitized between each session

On the other hand, a tattoo artist is permitted to decline a tattoo session on some grounds. For example:

  • if the client is visibly intoxicated
  • if the design requested is too graphic or offensive
  • if the artist doesn’t feel comfortable tattooing a specific body part

References

The tattoo laws in Indiana discussed in the article are based on information from official sources:

1 thought on “Indiana Tattoo Laws in 2023 (Age, Fines & More)”

  1. Your article is clickbait It doesn’t address the topic. Please go back to school and learn how to write properly.

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