How Old Do I Need to Be to Get Pierced?

Every piercing enthusiast has faced this issue at one very distinct point in their lives. When we're first starting to get into piercings and body modifications and we need to bring our parents along to that tongue piercing appointment – otherwise we can't get pierced! It's an issue we all have to look past for the good of all that is a qualified piercer and a healthy piercing.

But don't you worry! Here are the piercing and tattoo minimum ages across the united states, so that you can start dreaming of the day you can go out and get pierced without any issue.

Alabama

Written consent is needed from parent/legal guardian for body piercing and tattoos. Ear piercings are exempt from this.

Alaska

Written consent from parent or legal guardian for body piercing and they must be present during the piercing. Minors are not allowed to be tattooed.

Arizona

Parent or legal guardian must be present for body piercing and tattoos. This does not include ear piercings which allow written consent.

Arkansas

The minimum age of piercing with consent from a parent/guardian is 16. They must also be present. Minors are not to be tattooed.

California

Written consent from parent or legal guardian for body piercing or they must be present during the piercing. This excludes genital piercings and nipples. Minors are not to be tattooed.

Colorado

Parent or legal guardian must provide written consent for body piercing and tattoos. This excludes ear piercings which may be done without parental consent.

Connecticut

Permission from parent/guardian for piercings and tattoos – written or presence is not specified. This excludes ear piercings which may be done without parental consent.

District of Columbia

The minimum age for piercings and tattoos is 18. This excludes ear piercings which can be done with written parental/guardian consent.

Delaware

Written consent is needed from parent/legal guardian for body piercing and tattoos.

Florida

The minimum age of piercing and tattoo is 16. For minors younger than this written consent is needed from parent/legal guardian for body piercing and tattoos but photo ID and a notorised form of consent is regulation.

Georgia

Written consent is needed from parent/legal guardian for body piercing and tattoos. This excludes ear piercings which do not need parental/guardian consent. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

Hawaii

Written consent needed from parent/guardian for piercing and tattooing minors.

Idaho

The minimum age for piercing and tattooing is 14. These can be done with written consent from a parent/guardian plus they must be present during the procedure. This excludes ear piercings which can be done without parental/guardian consent.

Illinois

A parent/guardian must be present with minors when in a tattoo or piercing shop at all times. Ear piercings can be done without parental/guardian consent. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

Indiana

Minors need written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and tattoos and must be present during the procedure. This excludes ear piercings.

Iowa

Body piercing isn't regulated in Iowa, but states and districts may vary. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

Kansas

Minors need written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and tattoos and must be present during the procedure. This excludes ear piercings.

Kentucky

Minors need written and notarised consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and tattoos and must be present during the procedure. This DOES NOT excludes ear piercings.

Louisiana

A parent/guardian must be present for body piercings and tattoos.

Maine

Minors need written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing. This excludes ear piercings. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

Maryland

Minors need written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and this consent must be retained for at least three years. This excludes ear lobe piercings.

Massachusetts

Minors need written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing. This excludes genital piercings which are not permitted for minors. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

Michigan

Minors need written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing that must be done in the presence of those doing the piercing.

Minnesota

Minors need written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing that must be done in the presence of those doing the piercing. No genital or nipple piercings, branding, scarification, suspension, subdermal implantation, microdermal, or tongue bifurcation is allowed on minors. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

Mississippi

Minors cannot be tattooed or pierced. This excludes the outer perimeter and lobe of the ear.

Missouri

Minors need written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing that must be done in the presence of those doing the piercing.

Montana

Minors need written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing that must be done in the presence of those doing the piercing and remain present for the procedure.

Nebraska

Parent/guardian must provide written consent for minors and must be present during the procedure. This excludes the “external parts of the ear” which maybe done without consent.

Nevada

Body piercing and tattooing isn't regulated in Nevada. States and districts may vary in their own laws.

New Hampshire

Minors need written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and a parent/guardian must be present during the procedure. This does not include ear piercings which can be done without concent. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

New Jersey

Tattoos and piercings for minors need written consent from a parent/guardian. Gential piercings are not permitted for minors.

New Mexico

Written consent is neede from a parent/guardian for body piercing and tattoos and a parent/guardian must be present during the procedure.

New York

Written consent from parent/guardian for body piercing, excluding ear peircings. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

NorthCarolina

A parent or legal guardian must be present to give consent for body piercing, this excludes ear piercings. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

NorthDakota

Written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and tattoos and a parent/guardian must be present during the procedure.

Ohio

A parent/guardian must be present and sign a consent form for body piercing and tattoos.

Oklahoma

Written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and a parent/guardian must be present during the procedure. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

Oregon

Written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and proof of identity must be shown. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

Pennsylvania

Written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and a parent/guardian must be present during the procedure.

Rhode Island

A parent/guardian must be present to give consent for a procedure. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

South Carolina

Written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing or a parent/guardian must be present during the procedure. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

South Dakota

Written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing.

Tennessee

Written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing or a parent/guardian must be present during the procedure. Minors over the age of 16 may get a tattoo with parent or legal guardian present, and mustpresent proof of their identity to the piercer.

Texas

Written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing or a parent/guardian must be present during the procedure. Tattoos are not permitted for minors.

Utah

Written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and tattoos.

Vermont

Written consent from a parent/guardian for body piercing and tattoos.

Virginia

Parent or legal guardian must be present to give consent for body piercing and tattoos.

Washington

Tattoos are not permitted for minors. There are no known piercing laws for Washington.

West Virginia

A parent/guardian must give written consent to pierce or tattoo a minor.

Wisconsin

To pierce a minor written consent from parents/guardians and they must be present at the studio during all times during the process. Minors cannot be tattooed even with consent.

Wyoming

A parent or legal guardian must be present to give consent for both body piercing and tattoos.

 Laws and regulations are always changing, including the minimum ages for body piercing and tattoos. It's important always to check in with updated laws when getting pierced and to check your studios policies for any further details.