Body Art Studios

All Tattoo and Body Piercing Studios (referred to as Body Art Studios) must have a permit from the Health Department.  All facilities that do Micro Blading must obtain a Tattoo Studio permit.

Environmental Health helps to protect the health of the citizens of Monongalia County by permitting and inspecting all Body Art Studios.  Body Art Studios are inspected every 6 months.  Temporary Body Art Studios are inspected when they set up for an event.

All tattooing, body piercing, or micro blading must be done at a permitted (permanent or temporary) Body Art Studio.
Tattooing, body piercing, or micro blading at your home or residence is strictly prohibited.

Body Art Studios

All  Body Art Studios that are new, being renovated, or have a change of ownership must go through the plan review process.  This starts with filling out a plan review application:

Tattoo Studio Plan Review Application
Body Piercing Studio Plan Review Application

All Body Art Studios must follow the West Virginia Tattoo Studio and/or Body Art Studio Regulations

WV Code 16-38 Tattoo Studios Regulation
64 CSR 80 Body Piercing Studios Regulation

Once your plan review is approved you must contact a Sanitarian and schedule an opening inspection.  The Sanitarian will evaluate your Body Art Studio to ensure that it is in compliance with the Tattoo and/or Body Piercing Regulations and that your Body Art Studio can be operated in a safe and sanitary manner.

All body piercers must have a current Registration with the West Virginia DHHR.  Click here for more information.

Temporary Body Art Studios

Temporary Body Art Studios are Tattoo and/or Body Piercing Studios that set up in conjunction with a fair, festival, or special event such as a tattoo convention or Mountainfest.  All Temporary Body Art Studios must be fill out an application at least 7 days before the event.

Temporary Body Art Studio Application

All Temporary Body Art Studios must follow the West Virginia Tattoo Studio and/or Body Art Studio Regulations

WV Code 16-38 Tattoo Studios Regulation
64 CSR 80 Body Piercing Studios Regulation

All Temporary Body Art Studios must have a current West Virginia Business License.  Click here for more information.

After the application is approved, an inspection of the Temporary Body Art Studio by a Sanitarian must be done before the studio can start tattooing or body piercing.  Once the studio passes inspection the Temporary Permit will be issued. Temporary Permits are valid for the event where they are issued and are not transferable to another location or person.

All body piercers must have a current Registration with the West Virginia DHHR.  Click here for more information.