License Requirements:

https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/services/regulatory-activities/body-art/body-art-regulations.php#V (Section 5-5.9)

At a minimum, training for practitioners should include:

    • Bloodborne Pathogen Training: Must include infectious disease control, waste disposal, hand washing techniques, sterilization equipment operations along with methods and sanitization, and disinfection & sterilization methods and techniques.
    • Current certification in First Aid/CPR.
    • Examples of courses approved by the Health Department
      • – “Preventing Disease Transmission” (American Red Cross) and “Bloodborne Pathogen Training” (U.S. OSHA).
      • –Training or courses provided by professional body art organizations or associations, or by equipment manufacturers may also be submitted for approval.
  • Applicants must provide documentation or proof of completion of a course in Anatomy and Physiology with a grade C or better from an accredited, post-secondary institution. Other courses or programs may be accepted by the Department if deemed appropriate. 
    • Course must include instruction on the integumentary system (skin).
  • 2 Year Apprenticeship: Applicants must provide evidence to the Department of at least 2 years of actual experience in the practice of performing body art activities (the type in which the applicant plans to perform). Experience may be obtained within or outside of the Commonwealth, or evidence of a completed apprenticeship program as approved by the Department is acceptable as well. Two years experience is defined as 2,400 hours of actual experience.