Tanning and Tattoo Establishments

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Tanning Establishment Regulations and Information

Environmental Specialists from SDHD inspect tanning establishments in Woodbury County annually. Up through July 2019, SHDH inspected tanning facilities in 7 additional counties under a contract with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), however those contracts with the state were eliminated and now counties have the option of regulating tanning facilities through a local rule or ordinance. For more information about this change, view our description of the changes for tanning facilities.

Tanning Permits

Tanning facilities will continue to apply to the Iowa Department of Public Health for a permit to operate, and renew this permit annually. Visit the IDPH website for information about how to apply for or renew a permit.

Tanning Tests and Operator Training

Owner/Managers of tanning facilities must take an exam prior to applying for a permit, and every five years thereafter. The exam can be taken in person at the locations on this list, or IDPH now allows the exam to be completed on line. Information about and links to the online exam can be found on the IDPH website.

Employees of the tanning establishment also need to complete an exam to test their knowledge of the operation of the tanning establishment. Facilities may the online operator test for their employees, or may continue to use the paper test and training record. Once the employee completes the online exam, facilities will need to retain a screen shot of the passed exam page as proof of test completion for each operator. In addition, the facility must maintain records that the operator has been trained in the operation of the tanning facility. A record form and list of required training elements is at the end of the test document available at the IDPH website link below.

Tanning Resources

the IDPH website resources page has several resources for the operation of a tanning facility, including the hard copy operator test, the training manual for operators, warning signs for the tanning rooms and front desk, and the photosensitizing drug list.

Tattoo Establishment Regulations and Information

SDHD holds a contract with the Iowa Department of Public Health to conduct inspections of tattoo establishments located in Woodbury, Plymouth, Sioux, Lyon, Osceola, O'Brien, Dickinson, and Palo Alto counties. Inspections are conducted to protect the public from diseases that may be transmitted from one person to another through unsanitary or unsafe conditions, and to ensure compliance with the tattoo regulations in Iowa.

The fee for a tattoo establishment inspection is $250.

Tattoo Permits

Tattoo establishments and artists in Iowa must be permitted through the Iowa Department of Public Health. More information about tattoo regulations, applications, and establishment or artist licenses can be found at the Iowa Department of Public Health web site.

Iowa Code, Chapter 135 - Tattooing

Iowa Administrative Code 641, Chapter 22 - Practice of Tattooing

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