Tattoo artists across the state are scrambling to obtain licenses from the Health Department. Before 2011 only the owner of a tattoo business had to be licensed, but new regulations require all artists to be licensed as well.

"They're finally doing something to regulate the tattooing industry so that not just anybody can go and open a tattoo shop," New Tribe Tattoo and Body Piercing owner Greg Benson said.

Minnesota Department of Health attorney Kyle Renell said his office has received hundreds of licensed applications from tattoo artists. The new requirement was expected to start January 1st, but the Department of Health is behind on registering applicants because an employee still needs to be hired to do inspections.

Each Tattoo business owner is required to pay a $1,000 license fee every two years. An additional $100 license fee will also be charged to each tattoo artist working under an owner. The new requirements are designed to help enforce health codes and prevent spreading diseases. Benson commented he sterilizes all his equipment as part of health code regulations. "You have to know several techniques and disease control," Benson said. "People need to know that stuff."Benson added he hopes the new regulations will make people feel safer about getting tattoos.