Body Art Studios (Tattoo & Piercing)

The Health Department permits and inspects all body art studios in Putnam County in an effort to protect the health and safety of our community members. Body art studios can include body piercing studios, tattoo studios, establishments that perform micro-blading and other forms of cosmetic tattooing.

All body art studios must maintain a permit to operate, granted by the Health Department. If you need to submit a permit application for a pre-existing facility, click here.

Important Information for Body Piercing Studio Owners/Operators

According to West Virginia State Rules §64-80 Body Piercing Studio Businesses, piercing studios that are new, being renovated, or have a change of ownership must complete the plan review process with the Health Department. This starts with completing and submitting a plan review application, available for download here.

Upon approval of the plans, facility owners will then need to apply for a permit to operate from the Health Department and schedule an inspection with one of our environmental specialists. Inspections can be scheduled by calling 304.757.2541

All body piercers must have a current Registration with the WV DHHR. For more information on training and certification, click here.

Important Information for Tattoo Studio Owners/Operators

There is not currently a plan review form required for tattoo studios, however the studio must be in compliance with West Virginia State Code §16-38 Tattoo Studio Business.

Tattoo artists are required to keep records of every tattoo given to every client. Every client must also be given oral and written notification providing detailed after care instructions for the tattoo.

Additional Resources

• Public Disclosure Statement Regarding Body Piercings
• Hepatitis-B Declination Statement for Piercers

More information for piercers is available on the WV DHHR’s website here.

If you have any complaints you would like us to investigate, please fill out this form. You can also email or call us.