Law & Regulations

Body Art is the practice of physical body adornment using the following techniques: tattooing, cosmetic tattooing, microblading, body piercing and branding. Michigan Public Act 375, was enacted in December of 2010, and indicates that individuals shall not perform body art on another individual unless that tattooing, branding, or body piercing occurs at a body art facility licensed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

Michigan Public Act 375 sets statewide requirements for body art facilities aimed at decreasing the risk of transmission of bloodborne diseases such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These viruses can make you sick and possibly your family sick, if they are exposed. Some of these diseases are permanent and can be fatal.

Owners or operators of body art facilities are required to apply for a body art facility license through MDHHS. Public Act 375 gives the local health department the authority to enforce and inspect body art facilities. Wayne County Environmental Health regulates the facilities that perform body art procedures, within Wayne County, with the exception of facilities located with the City of Detroit.

In Michigan, trained Health Department staff use a standardized form created by MDHHS while conducting an inspection. PA 375 states that body art facilities must comply with bloodborne pathogen safety standards under 29 CFR 1910.1030. In Michigan, MIOSHA is responsible for assuring safe and healthful working condition. Below are the links for the Law & Requirements, which continue to be updated, as the industry is ever changing:

Client Records & Forms

A body art practitioner should provide a potential client with both verbal and written health educational information that is needed to make an informed decision. Each client shall sign a consent form that documents the client's receipt of the Disclosure Statement and Notice for Filing Complaints. A client who is under 18 years of age should have prior written informed consent, required documentation of age and the presence of a parent or legal guardian. After a procedure, clients must receive verbal & written after-care instructions. Below are links for the minimum requirements for these documents:

Client Body Art Record & Consent Form
Disclosure Statement/Notice for Filing Complaints
Aftercare Instructions for Tattooing
Aftercare Inspections for Piercing
Aftercare Instructions for Branding

Employee Records

Employees of Body Art facilities are vital to a safe operation and training and its documentation is required. The following forms must be filled out by each employee:

Employee Contract/Work History
Confidentiality Statement
Hepatitis B Declination Form (or proof of vaccination and immunity)

Wayne County Body Art Facility Plan Review

Plan review submission is required for a new or newly remodeled body art facility. The Wayne County Environmental Health Body Art Team has created a comprehensive Body Art Plan Review Application to assist an operator with this process. Complete submittals are given highest priority, because we know that time is money. Prior to construction, the representative shall submit a complete Application which includes additional forms/documents, a detailed plan, and the Plan Review Service Fee to be submitted.

Wayne County Body Art Facility Plan Review Application
2019 Environmental Health Fee Schedule

Other Related Resources

• Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Body Art Facility Licensure website
  
• Tattoos & Permanent Makeup FDA
  
• Things to Consider Before You Get a Tattoo FDA
• MDEQ Medical Waste Application
• List of medical waste disposal services
• Apply for or Renew a Body Art Facility License

Contact Us

Wayne County Health, Veterans & Community Wellness
Health Admin Building
Wellness Services Division
Environmental Health Section
EAST WING (Parking at Venoy Road Entrance)

33030 Van Born Road
Wayne, MI 48184
Phone (734) 727-7400
Fax: (734)-727-7165
Email: mfranklin@waynecounty.com

Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Closed For Lunch: 11:30AM - 12:30PM