Wisconsin Tattoo Laws

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) "Tattoo" has the meaning given in s. 948.70(1)(b).
(b) "Tattoo establishment" means the premises where a tattooist performs tattoos.
(c) "Tattooist" means a person who tattoos another.

(2) Department; duty. Except as provided in ss. 250.041 and 252.241, the department shall provide uniform, statewide licensing and regulation of tattooists and uniform, statewide licensing and regulation of tattoo establishments under this section. The department shall inspect a tattoo establishment once before issuing a license for the tattoo establishment under this section and may make additional inspections that the department determines are necessary.

(3) License required. Except as provided in sub. (5), no person may tattoo or attempt to tattoo another, designate or represent himself or herself as a tattooist or use or assume the title "tattooist" and no tattoo establishment may be operated unless the person and the establishment are licensed by the department under this section or by a local health department that is designated as the department's agent under s. 252.245.

(4) Rule making. The department shall promulgate all of the following as rules: (a) Except as provided in ss. 250.041 and 252.241, standards and procedures, including fee payment to offset the cost of licensing tattooists and tattoo establishments, for the annual issuance of licenses as tattooists or as tattoo establishments to applicants under this section.
(b) Standards for the performance of tattoos by a licensed tattooist and for the maintenance of a licensed tattoo establishment, which will promote safe and adequate care and treatment for individuals who receive tattoos and eliminate or greatly reduce the danger of exposure by these individuals to communicable disease or infection.

(5) Exception. This section does not apply to a dentist who is licensed under s. 447.03(1) or to a physician who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person in the course of the dentist's or physician's professional practice.