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New Year, New Law For Tattoo Industry

By Rachel Slavik, WCCO-TV

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)
-- The New Year is also the start of a new law for the tattoo industry in Minnesota. Businesses and each tattoo artist must now be licensed with the State Health Department.

This past summer, the state sent out a packet, notifying businesses of the upcoming changes.

"There's no excuse to wait for it. You knew it was coming, if you didn't know it was coming, maybe keep a closer ear to your industry," said Garrett Rautio, owner of Monster Ink.

Rautio welcomed the new rules, even though it meant he had to take a series of classes to get his business registered.

"I think it's good for the industry," he said. "The industry is now recognized as an industry."

Rautio didn't have to worry about the individual license, he already had that. But many artists around the state don't, and they won't for a few more days. The State Health department still has a backlog of applications to process.

"This time of the year is tax time. This is when all the big business comes through. You don't want to miss out. This could be a make or break it deal for a lot of people," said Rautio

In the past, some cities and counties did license the individuals and establishments. However, other jurisdictions licensed only the establishments. The vast majority of technicians throughout the state were not licensed.

In order to get a license, a body art technician must show proof of completing 200 hours of supervised work experience, they must be over the age of 18, and they must complete coursework on sterilization, disease transmission prevention, blood-borne pathogens and infection control.

The Health Department says it won't take very long to process the applications that meet the requirements.

WCCO-TV's Rachel Slavik Reports

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