MASON CITY, IA - Iowa's Department of Public Health is strengthening its regulations for new tattoo artists. Health leaders are trying to make it tougher for people to get a permit. New applicants will need to take a Bloodborne Pathogens Course and have their high school degree, or its equivalent. But some local artists, don't think it's enough.
After nearly a decade in the business, tattoo artist Brad Duckert has inked just about every type of person you can imagine. He's also seen his share of body art gone terribly wrong.
"It's not just people tattooing out of their homes. It's people tattooing in legitimate shops that don't know what they're doing. It's really easy to get a tattoo license, it's really easy to get an establishment license," he said.
So I decided to put Duckert's concerns to the test. I went online to Iowa's Department of Public Health website, and filled out the application for a tattoo artist permit. All I had to provide is my name, a place i *plan* to perform my art, and a $40 check. About three weeks later... as far as the State of Iowa is concerned, I'm a legal tattoo artist.
Duckert is far from shocked, "everybody thinks just because you're licensed, that you know what you're doing. And that... It's not true."
What really concerns Duckert is not my lack of art skills. It's the fact that Public Health did not ask for any proof that I'm trained in basic sanitation proceedures.
Duckert expects his apprentices to go through three years of training before they can work in his shop. So far, no one has made the cut. Duckert said they have a hard time mastering the tedious steps he demands for a clean, safe workspace. Many of his policies, are above and beyond Public Health's requirements. For example, he discards used needles in a biohazard box. Iowa law allows shops to toss them out with the regular trash.
"There's a lot of things that other states are doing that Iowa's not doing, that Iowa should be doing to ensure that the public is protected," he added.
Armed with this knowledge, and my tattoo artist permit, I met up with the Bureau Chief of the state's Environmental Health Department in Des Moines. Carmily Stone's response was not what i expected.
I explained to Stone, "I was granted my permit for 2009. I've never had any training, never touched an instrument before. Do you think that this shows there are any flaws in the system?"
She answered, "it doesn't surprise me that you were able to get your permit. Anyone who gives the department $40 could get their permit."
Stone said, that's why they're toughing up requirements for new artists next year. It's the first time they've looked at the laws in two decades.
"It's a start, and it's much more than we had before," said Stone.
But Duckert believes the new rules are still not strong enough. He'd like to see Public Health rules similar to those in states like Nevada and Florida. They demand artists take a written exam and pay higher fees for their permit. Duckert also doubts the one full-time employee designated to the Tattoo Division will be able to ensure every new applicant has a high school degree, and has taken a Bloodborne Pathogen's class.
"There's nobody saying you have to do this. They recommend, this is the law, but they never check," he said.
When I asked why Public Health leaders did not push for more strict laws, Stone said, "I think, for right now, this is as good as it's going to get. It's very comparable to states around us."
Duckert's take? That's kind of like saying, everyone else in my class is getting a "C". So if you want to find an "A"-worthy shop, you'll have to do your own homework. Ask to see the results of monthly sterilization checks. Watch the artist work on someone else. And if you see someone with a lot of ink, find out where he or she goes.
"Word of mouth is key," said Duckert. "People who get tattooed can tell you where to get tattooed."
If I actually wanted to continue in my new-found profession, I'd have to renew my tattoo permit next month. Which means, I would have to take that Bloodborne Pathogens class. It is offered online, and the websites say the entire process takes about an hour. Which is really not a huge time commitment, but still, I think I'll have to let this permit expire.
Minnesota only has one state-wide law. Minors cannot get a tattoo without the permission of their parent or guardian. In Iowa, it's illegal to ink any minor. Artists and shops in Minnesota are also regulated by local health departments.
