Licensing, Registration, and Renewal

Establishment and Mobile Body Art Requirements 16.36.3 NMAC – Establishment Requirements

1. Application
2. $300 Fee
3. Copy of City Business License

Establishments must meet all safety and sanitation requirements outlined in the New Mexico Board of Body Art rules and statutes.

Special Event Requirements 16.36.7 NMAC – Special Event Requirements

1. Application
2. $100 Fee
3. Hazardous waste/Sharps Disposal Contract
4. New Mexico Licensed Body Artists Event Sponsor
5. List of Attending Artists (out of state and NM licensed artists)

Special events must meet all safety and sanitation requirements outlined in the New Mexico Board of Body Art rules and statutes.

Guest Artist Requirements 16.36.7 NMAC – Guest Artists Requirements

1. Application
2. $100 Fee
3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
4. Verification of Licensure from another state or verification of license for establishment of employment.

Download the Permanent Cosmetics Apprentice Log

Download the Permanent Cosmetics Sponsor Curriculum Outline

Permanent Cosmetics Apprentice 16.36.9 NMAC Permanent Cosmetics Requirements

1. Application
2. $50 Fee
3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
4. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 36.4.9 NMAC

Permanent Cosmetics Practitioner 16.36.9 NMAC Permanent Cosmetics Requirements

      A. Initial Licensure

1. Application
2. $100 Fee
3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
4. Apprentice log
5. National Exam through Professional Credential Services (PCS)
6. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 36.4.9 NMAC

Applicants applying for an additional area of practice must complete the practical hours of training and submit the $25 licensure fee.

      B. Licensure from Another State

1. Application
2. $100 Fee
3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
4. Proof of licensure in another state
   1. Verification of licensure; or
   2. Proof of practice in another state (w-2, 1099, tax return)
5. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 36.4.9 NMAC
6. National Exam through Professional Credential Services (PCS)

Permanent Cosmetics Apprentice Sponsor 16.36.9 NMAC – Permanent Cosmetics Requirements

1. Application
2. $100 Fee
3. Detailed curriculum
4. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 36.4.9 NMAC
5. Must hold an active license for a minimum of 5 years without disciplinary action

Download the Tattoo Artist Apprentice Log 

Download the Tattoo Artist Sponsor Curriculum Outline

Tattoo Artist Apprentice 16.36.2 NMAC – Tattoo Requirements

1. 1. Application
   2. $50 Fee
   3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
   4. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 36.4.9 NMAC

Download the Tattoo Artist Apprentice LOG

Tattoo Artist 16.36.2 NMAC – Tattoo Requirements 

      A. Initial Licensure

1. 1. Application
   2. $100 Fee
   3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
   4. 1,400 Hour Apprentice Log
   5. National Exam through Professional Credential Services (PCS)
   6. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 36.4.9 NMAC

      B. Licensure from Another State

1. 1. Application
   2. $100 Fee
   3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
   4. Proof of licensure in another state
      1. Verification of licensure; or
      2. Proof of practice in another state (w-2, 1099, tax return)
   5. National Exam through Professional Credential Services (PCS)
   6. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 36.4.9 NMAC

Tattoo Artist Apprentice Sponsor 16.36.2 NMAC – Tattoo Requirements

1. 1. Application
   2. $100 Fee
   3. Detailed Curriculum
   4. Must hold an active license in New Mexico for a minimum of 5 years without disciplinary action.
   5. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 36.4.9 NMAC

Download the Tattoo Artist Sponsor Curriculum Outline

Body Piercer/Scarification Apprentice 16.36.10 NMAC – Body Piercer/Scarification Requirements

1. Application
2. $50 Fee
3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
4. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 16.36.4.9 NMAC

Download the Body Piercer Apprentice Log

Body Piercer/Scarification  16.36.10 NMAC – Body Piercer/Scarification Requirements

Initial Licensure

1. Application
2. $100 Fee
3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
4. 1200 Hour Apprentice Log
5. National Exam through Professional Credential Services (PCS)
6. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 16.36.4.9 NMAC

Licensure from Another State

1. Application
2. $100 Fee
3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
4. Proof of licensure in another state
• Verification of licensure; or
• Proof of practice in another state (w-2, 1099, tax return)
5. National Exam through Professional Credential Services (PCS)
6. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 16.36.4.9 NMAC

Body Piercer/Scarification Sponsor 16.36.10 NMAC – Body Piercer/Scarification Requirements

1. Application
2. $100 Fee
3. Detailed Curriculum
4. Must hold an active license in New Mexico for a minimum of 5 years without disciplinary action.
5. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 16.36.4.9 NMAC

Military Licensure 16.36.8 NMAC – Expedited and Military Requirements

1. 1. Application
   2. NO Fee
   3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
   4. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 36.4.9 NMAC
   5. Proof of licensure from another state that is in good standing.
   6. Military Orders
      1. for a military service member, a copy of the service member’s military orders;
      2. for a spouse of a military service member, a copy of the service member’s military orders and a copy of the parties’ marriage license;
      3. for a spouse of a deceased military service member, a copy of the decedent’s DD Form 214 and a copy of marriage license;
      4. For dependent children of military service members: a copy of military service members orders listing dependent child, or a copy of military orders and one of the following: a copy of birth certificate, military service federal tax return or other governmental or judicial documentation establishing dependency;
      5. for veterans, retired or separated, proof of honorable discharge, a copy of DD From 214, DD Form 215, DD From 265, DD Form 257, NGB Form 22, military ID card, a state-issued driver’s license or identification card with veteran’s designation, a veteran ID card (VIC) issued by the U.S Department of Veteran’s Affairs, or other documentation verifying the veteran’s honorable discharge from military service.

Expedited Licensure 16.36.8 NMAC – Expedited and Military Requirements

1. 1. Application
   2. $100 Fee
   3. Copy of CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certificates
   4. Proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions outlined in 36.4.9 NMAC
   5. Proof of licensure from another state that is in good standing from an approved state for expedited licensure. (see states below)

Permanent Cosmetics Practitioner Approved Expedited States

1. 1. Alaska
   2. Arkansas
   3. District of Columbia
   4. Kansas
   5. Minnesota
   6. Mississippi
   7. Missouri
   8. New Hampshire
   9. New Jersey
   10. Oklahoma
   11. Oregon
   12. Tennessee
   13. Vermont
   14. Virginia

Tattoo Artist Approved Expedited States

1. 1. Alaska
   2. Arkansas
   3. Connecticut
   4. District of Columbia
   5. Kansas
   6. Minnesota
   7. Mississippi
   8. Missouri
   9. Montana
   10. New Hampshire
   11. New Jersey
   12. Oklahoma
   13. Oregon
   14. Tennessee
   15. Vermont
   16. Virginia

Body Piercing- Scarification Approved Expedited States

1. 1. Alaska
   2. Arkansas
   3. District of Columbia
   4. Kansas
   5. Minnesota
   6. Mississippi
   7. Missouri
   8. Montana
   9. New Hampshire
   10. New Jersey
   11. Oklahoma
   12. Tennessee
   13. Vermont
   14. Virginia

All Body Art license types are required to pass the Professional Credential Services (PCS) exam with a score of 75% or higher. You must submit a complete application for licensure to be approved by the board staff to take the exam. Please use the link below to apply to take the exam.

Virtual Inc. Professional Services

Download the Permanent Cosmetics Practitioner Exam Index
Download the Tattoo Artists Exam Index
Download the Body Piercer Exam Index