Environmental Health helps to protect the health of Monongalia County citizens by permitting and inspecting all body art studios. Body art studios are inspected every six months. Temporary body art studios are inspected when they set up for an event.
All tattooing, body piercing or microblading must be done at a permitted (permanent or temporary) body art studio.
All body piercers must have a current registration with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DRRH and must follow the West Virginia Tattoo Studio and/or Body Art Studio Regulations.
Body Art Studios
- All Body Art Studios that are new, being renovated or have a change of ownership must go through the plan review process. This starts with filling out a plan review application. Once your plan review is approved, you must contact MCHD Environmental Health and schedule an opening inspection.
- Tattoo Studio Plan Review Application
- Body Piercing Studio Plan Review Application
Temporary Body Art Studio
- Temporary Body Art Studios are tattoo and/or body piercing studios that are set up in conjunction with a fair, festival or special event, such as a tattoo convention or another event. All temporary body art studios must fill out an application at least seven days before the event. After the application is approved, an inspection of the temporary body art studio by a sanitarian must be done before the studio can start tattooing or body piercing. Once the studio passes inspection, the temporary permit will be issued. Temporary permits are valid for the event for which they are issued and are not transferable to another location or person.
- Temporary Body Art Studio Application