HB 373 - SB 497
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
February 26, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Laura Moore | Email: laura.moore@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
HB 373 - SB 497
SUMMARY OF BILL: Authorizes a tattoo artist who has been licensed in this state for
fewer than three years, but licensed in another state for ten years or more to train an apprentice
tattoo artist. Requires the tattoo artist to provide their signature on the state's tattoo apprenticeship
completion application signifying that the apprentice tattoo artist has met the state law requirements.
Requires out-of-state tattoo artists seeking a Tennessee license to show proof of at least two years of
experience as a professional tattoo artist in another state, in lieu of satisfying the state examination
requirement. Takes effect January 1, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-38-204(a), all tattoo artists are required to register with
the Department of Health (DOH) and be issued a statewide license. The DOH may, at its
option, direct the local health department to act on its behalf in the application,
examination, and collection of funds concerning tattoo artist registration. Tattoo artists
under the DOH registration include tattoo artists, apprentice artists, and temporary artists.
The DOH also regulates business owners, referred to as tattoo operators, who employ or
host such tattooists in a studio.
• Based on information provided by the DOH, statewide there are currently:
o 2,608 tattoo artists;
o 802 apprentice tattoo artists; and
o 0 temporary tattoo artists.
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-38-204(c), a tattoo artist, apprentice artist, and
temporary artist must pay an annual fee of $140. Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-38-
204(i), a tattoo operator must also pay an annual fee of $140.
• DOH provides that the state collects these fees, except for the following counties, which
collect and retain their own permit fees: Shelby, Davidson, Madison, Hamilton, Knox.
• The table below provides the most recent data on fee collections for both the state and
local health departments:
HB 373 - SB 497 2
Current State Davidson Shelby Madison Hamilton Knox
Tattoo Artists 1,613 307 226 47 161 254
Tattoo
Apprentices
470 120 96 12 29 75
Total Amount
Collected
$291,620 $59,780 $45,080 $8,260 $26,600 $46,060
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-38-204(f,) a tattoo operator or tattoo artist is required to
pass an examination before a tattoo artist permit shall be issued. The examination is to be a
written examination prescribed by the local health department.
• The proposed legislation removes this examination requirement for out-of-state tattoo
artists seeking a Tennessee license who can show proof of two years’ experience as a
professional tattoo artist in another state.
• The DOH provides that there is no fee for this exam; therefore, any impact to the fee
revenue collected under the DOH or local health departments is estimated to be not
significant.
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-38-204(g), in order to receive a tattoo artist license, the
tattooist shall be trained in the profession of tattooing to include sterilization methods in a
certified shop for at least one year under a currently licensed tattoo artist who has been
certified and operating in compliance with applicable laws in this state for no less than three
years.
• The proposed legislation expands this provision to authorize a tattoo artist seeking a license
to also be trained under a currently licensed artist who has been licensed in Tennessee for
fewer than three years, but licensed in another state for 10 years or more, provided that the
training artist provides a signed attestation to these facts on the state’s tattoo apprenticeship
completion form.
• It is not known how many licensed tattoo artists who have been licensed in this state for
fewer than three years, but licensed in another state for 10 years or more, are currently
practicing in Tennessee. However, this provision is assumed to modestly increase the
number of licensed tattoo artists in this state who may train other tattoo artists who are
seeking licensure.
• It is not, however, estimated to significantly increase the total number of people who seek
or attain licensure as a tattoo artist, apprentice artist, temporary artist, or tattoo operator, as
it is assumed that those who aspire to make a living as such would otherwise find a qualified
licensed tattoo artist under which to train under current law.
• Any fiscal impact to the DOH or local health departments related to fees is therefore
estimated to be not significant.
HB 373 - SB 497 3
IMPACT TO COMMERCE:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
• The proposed legislation is not estimated to significantly impact business revenue or
expenditures for tattoo artists or operators.
• There will not be a significant impact to commerce or jobs in Tennessee.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director