Tanning & Tattoo / Body Art

The goal of the Tanning Inspection Program is to protect citizens from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, which can cause skin irritation, burns, eye damage and forms of cancer.

The goal of the Body Art Program is to prevent the occurrence of injury, infection and disease transmission as a result of improper body art procedures.

Tanning

Tattoo / Body Art

Tanning

The goal of the Tanning Inspection Program is to protect citizens from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, which can cause skin irritation, burns, eye damage and forms of cancer.

The program consists of initial and renewal inspections, and also complaint investigations. Tanning facility licenses are issued by Illinois Department of Public Health.

The Tanning Facility Permit Act, (210 ILCS 145) became effective July 1, 1992.  The Tanning Facility Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 795) became effective December 7, 1992.  This Code specifies the standard for the conduct of tanning facility procedures, sets standards for the process by which the Department and its delegate agencies inspect and permit tanning facilities, and sets the fee requirements.

The Tanning Facility Code requires all facilities providing consumers’ access to ultraviolet radiation emitting devices for cosmetic purposes to make application with the Department for a permit to operate a tanning facility.  Facilities are inspected annually to determine compliance with various provisions including:  equipment labeling and general operation; verification of appropriate ultraviolet lamps; accurate equipment timers; clients’ use of protective eyewear; trained operators on duty; recordkeeping of clients’ visits; and sanitation.

Tattoo & Body Art

The Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Registration Act, (410 ILCS 54), became effective July 1, 2007. The Illinois Department of Public Health’s Body Art Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 797) became effective December 26, 2008. This Code specifies the standard for the conduct of body art procedures, sets standards for the process by which the Department and its delegate agencies inspect and register body art establishments and sets the fee requirements.

All establishments providing body art services such as tattooing, piercing, branding or scarification are required to be registered with the Department. Upon receipt of a completed registration application, an inspection is conducted to monitor compliance with the program. Renewal inspections are conducted periodically. Certified Local Health Departments may contract with the Department to conduct the inspections in their jurisdiction.