Qualification and training?

What kind of qualifications and/or training are you supposed to have before you even lay a needle to skin? Where would you have to go to get licensed, certified, etc... Can you do it online? How much does it cost? What are the requirements for opening a shop? Just curious...

[canvasyou]

depends on the state / country
In Hawaii - you need to get license
they offer exam 2 times a year - its really simple test - but study

to open shop you need business license
OSHA compliance
and some skills

i suggest first getting apprenticeship - then learning the trade - then open a shop - haha

Online tattoo schools that promise to make you a tattoo artist are a joke!

Where and when are the exams held? Can it be done online? Do you know of any good study guides online?

[canvasyou]

Google: Hawaii Department of Sanitation - Tattoo
You can also call Dept. of Sanitation
No - hawaii doe snot do online exam
they offer only once a year (maybe twice - i forget)

You have to pay $75.00
no study guide that I could find -
once you pay and register - then they will hook you up with more info..
I think exam is in June? and Jan? I forget though...
call them

their is no piece of paper that says you are a tattooist, let alone a tattoo artist

[canvasyou]

no - you are right.. but in Hawaii we require you to have a piece of Paper to tattoo legally. haha

You need that piece of paper in many states now,and ironically enough,very few,if any,require an ability to tattoo to get it.