TATTOO LICENSE PRE-TEST NYC EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
– COMPLETE CONCEPT REVIEW & PRACTICE MATERIALS
(LATEST EDITION)
100 Practice Questions & Answers
Section 1: NYC Regulations & Health Code (Questions 1-30)
1. Which NYC agency is primarily responsible for issuing and enforcing regulations for tattoo
establishments?
a) NYC Department of Buildings
b) NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) ✓
c) NYC Police Department
d) NYC Department of Consumer Affairs
2. According to NYC Health Code, a person must be at least how old to receive a tattoo?
a) 16
b) 18 ✓
c) 21
d) There is no minimum age with parental consent.
3. What is the minimum fine for operating a tattoo establishment without a permit in NYC?
a) $250
b) $500
c) $1,000 ✓
d) $2,500
4. An applicant for a NYC Tattoo Artist License must provide proof of completion of which
course?
a) A 3-year art degree
b) Bloodborne Pathogens training ✓
c) CPR & First Aid certification
d) Hazardous Materials disposal course
5. Before providing services, a licensed tattoo artist must verify the client's age with:
a) A verbal statement.
b) A school ID.
c) A valid, government-issued photo ID. ✓
d) A birth certificate.
,6. The NYC Health Code requires that all tattoo establishments have:
a) A dedicated restroom for clients.
b) A separate, partitioned area for tattooing. ✓
c) A waiting area with seating for 10 people.
d) An autoclave on public display.
7. How often must a tattoo establishment's permit be renewed?
a) Monthly
b) Annually ✓
c) Every two years
d) Every five years
8. A tattoo establishment's permit must be:
a) Kept in the owner's office files.
b) Posted in a conspicuous location visible to the public. ✓
c) Submitted to the artist's union.
d) Carried by the lead artist at all times.
9. Which of the following is a GROUNDS for suspension or revocation of a tattoo license in
NYC?
a) An artist changes their style.
b) Failure to comply with the Health Code. ✓
c) Raising prices without notice.
d) Tattooing a client over the age of 65.
10. Tattooing is prohibited on which area of the body under NYC rules?
a) The face
b) The hands
c) There is no specific prohibited area, but certain conditions apply. ✓
d) Above the collarbone
11. NYC regulations require that the tattoo area be separated from other business activities
(like retail) by:
a) A line on the floor.
b) A solid partition at least 6 feet high. ✓
c) A beaded curtain.
d) A sign that says "Employees Only."
12. An applicant with a felony conviction will:
a) Automatically be denied a license.
,b) Not be considered for a license under any circumstances.
c) Have their application reviewed, as denial is not automatic but depends on the crime. ✓
d) Only be denied if the conviction was for art forgery.
13. The walls and ceilings in the tattooing area must be:
a) Painted a light color.
b) Soundproof.
c) Smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable. ✓
d) Covered with framed artwork.
14. According to NYC code, "Sharps" include:
a) Used ink caps and paper towels.
b) Used needles and razor blades. ✓
c) Used gloves and barriers.
d) Used stencil paper.
15. A client's medical history regarding bleeding disorders or diabetes is:
a) Mandatory to collect and document.
b) Optional, but recommended.
c) Required to be asked verbally; documentation is optional.
d) Not required by code, but the client must sign a consent form acknowledging risks. ✓
16. The penalty for tattooing a minor in NYC is:
a) A warning for the first offense.
b) A fine and possible license suspension/revocation. ✓
c) A mandatory 30-day establishment closure.
d) A misdemeanor charge for the client.
17. A Tattoo Establishment Permit is:
a) Transferable to a new owner.
b) Valid at any location in the borough.
c) Non-transferable and site-specific. ✓
d) Valid for the lifetime of the business.
18. Who is responsible for ensuring all artists in an establishment are licensed?
a) Each individual artist.
b) The establishment owner/permit holder. ✓
c) The DOHMH inspector.
d) The shop's most senior artist.
, 19. The written aftercare instructions given to a client must be:
a) In English only.
b) In English and Spanish.
c) In English and the client's primary language if possible. ✓
d) Provided only upon request.
20. Smoking, eating, or drinking is prohibited in:
a) The entire establishment.
b) Only the tattooing area.
c) The tattooing and instrument processing areas. ✓
d) The client waiting area.
21. Animals, except for service animals, are:
a) Allowed in the waiting area.
b) Allowed if leashed.
c) Prohibited in the establishment. ✓
d) Allowed in the artist's private studio.
22. An establishment must notify the DOHMH of a change of address within:
a) 10 business days.
b) 30 calendar days.
c) 5 business days. ✓
d) 60 calendar days.
23. A licensed tattoo artist from another state may work in NYC:
a) After registering with the DOHMH for a temporary permit.
b) Only if they obtain a full NYC Tattoo Artist License. ✓
c) For up to 30 days without a license.
d) If supervised by a NYC licensed artist.
24. The consent form signed by the client must be kept on file for at least:
a) 1 year.
b) 3 years. ✓
c) 5 years.
d) 7 years.
25. The primary goal of NYC's tattoo regulations is to:
a) Generate revenue for the city.
b) Control artistic content.
– COMPLETE CONCEPT REVIEW & PRACTICE MATERIALS
(LATEST EDITION)
100 Practice Questions & Answers
Section 1: NYC Regulations & Health Code (Questions 1-30)
1. Which NYC agency is primarily responsible for issuing and enforcing regulations for tattoo
establishments?
a) NYC Department of Buildings
b) NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) ✓
c) NYC Police Department
d) NYC Department of Consumer Affairs
2. According to NYC Health Code, a person must be at least how old to receive a tattoo?
a) 16
b) 18 ✓
c) 21
d) There is no minimum age with parental consent.
3. What is the minimum fine for operating a tattoo establishment without a permit in NYC?
a) $250
b) $500
c) $1,000 ✓
d) $2,500
4. An applicant for a NYC Tattoo Artist License must provide proof of completion of which
course?
a) A 3-year art degree
b) Bloodborne Pathogens training ✓
c) CPR & First Aid certification
d) Hazardous Materials disposal course
5. Before providing services, a licensed tattoo artist must verify the client's age with:
a) A verbal statement.
b) A school ID.
c) A valid, government-issued photo ID. ✓
d) A birth certificate.
,6. The NYC Health Code requires that all tattoo establishments have:
a) A dedicated restroom for clients.
b) A separate, partitioned area for tattooing. ✓
c) A waiting area with seating for 10 people.
d) An autoclave on public display.
7. How often must a tattoo establishment's permit be renewed?
a) Monthly
b) Annually ✓
c) Every two years
d) Every five years
8. A tattoo establishment's permit must be:
a) Kept in the owner's office files.
b) Posted in a conspicuous location visible to the public. ✓
c) Submitted to the artist's union.
d) Carried by the lead artist at all times.
9. Which of the following is a GROUNDS for suspension or revocation of a tattoo license in
NYC?
a) An artist changes their style.
b) Failure to comply with the Health Code. ✓
c) Raising prices without notice.
d) Tattooing a client over the age of 65.
10. Tattooing is prohibited on which area of the body under NYC rules?
a) The face
b) The hands
c) There is no specific prohibited area, but certain conditions apply. ✓
d) Above the collarbone
11. NYC regulations require that the tattoo area be separated from other business activities
(like retail) by:
a) A line on the floor.
b) A solid partition at least 6 feet high. ✓
c) A beaded curtain.
d) A sign that says "Employees Only."
12. An applicant with a felony conviction will:
a) Automatically be denied a license.
,b) Not be considered for a license under any circumstances.
c) Have their application reviewed, as denial is not automatic but depends on the crime. ✓
d) Only be denied if the conviction was for art forgery.
13. The walls and ceilings in the tattooing area must be:
a) Painted a light color.
b) Soundproof.
c) Smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable. ✓
d) Covered with framed artwork.
14. According to NYC code, "Sharps" include:
a) Used ink caps and paper towels.
b) Used needles and razor blades. ✓
c) Used gloves and barriers.
d) Used stencil paper.
15. A client's medical history regarding bleeding disorders or diabetes is:
a) Mandatory to collect and document.
b) Optional, but recommended.
c) Required to be asked verbally; documentation is optional.
d) Not required by code, but the client must sign a consent form acknowledging risks. ✓
16. The penalty for tattooing a minor in NYC is:
a) A warning for the first offense.
b) A fine and possible license suspension/revocation. ✓
c) A mandatory 30-day establishment closure.
d) A misdemeanor charge for the client.
17. A Tattoo Establishment Permit is:
a) Transferable to a new owner.
b) Valid at any location in the borough.
c) Non-transferable and site-specific. ✓
d) Valid for the lifetime of the business.
18. Who is responsible for ensuring all artists in an establishment are licensed?
a) Each individual artist.
b) The establishment owner/permit holder. ✓
c) The DOHMH inspector.
d) The shop's most senior artist.
, 19. The written aftercare instructions given to a client must be:
a) In English only.
b) In English and Spanish.
c) In English and the client's primary language if possible. ✓
d) Provided only upon request.
20. Smoking, eating, or drinking is prohibited in:
a) The entire establishment.
b) Only the tattooing area.
c) The tattooing and instrument processing areas. ✓
d) The client waiting area.
21. Animals, except for service animals, are:
a) Allowed in the waiting area.
b) Allowed if leashed.
c) Prohibited in the establishment. ✓
d) Allowed in the artist's private studio.
22. An establishment must notify the DOHMH of a change of address within:
a) 10 business days.
b) 30 calendar days.
c) 5 business days. ✓
d) 60 calendar days.
23. A licensed tattoo artist from another state may work in NYC:
a) After registering with the DOHMH for a temporary permit.
b) Only if they obtain a full NYC Tattoo Artist License. ✓
c) For up to 30 days without a license.
d) If supervised by a NYC licensed artist.
24. The consent form signed by the client must be kept on file for at least:
a) 1 year.
b) 3 years. ✓
c) 5 years.
d) 7 years.
25. The primary goal of NYC's tattoo regulations is to:
a) Generate revenue for the city.
b) Control artistic content.
