Tanning & Body Art

Tanning

The Tanning Facility Permit Act, enacted in July 1992, 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. Permit fees are $250 for the first year and $150 each year thereafter (provided the permit has not expired) and are deposited into a dedicated Tanning facility Permit Fund.

Facilities are inspected at least annually to determine compliance with various provisions including: equipment labeling and general operation; verification of appropriate ultraviolet lamps; accurate equipment timers; client's use of protective eyewear; trained operators on duty; recordkeeping of agents of the Department in 92 counties. Inspectors may place embargoes on tanning units observed to present a health hazard, removing the units from service until found to be in compliance upon re-inspection. Other potential enforcement actions include permit suspension, denial and revocation; assessment of fines; and, referral to county State's Attorneys for prosecution as a public nuisance.

The Coles County Health Department is responsible for conducting inspections on new facilities, routine inspections and complaint inspections. Facilities may download the tanning self-inspection sheet for use in training employees and ensuring that your facility is in compliance.

Opening a Tanning Facility:
Any person wishing to open a tanning facility, whether it is a new or existing facility, must request the new operators package. The package consists of the Illinois Tanning Facilities Program Legal Base, and an Application Form (PDF File), and the operating procedures guidelines (PDF File). Facilities shall also have available to them a listing of the medications that increase sensitivity to light, available from most distributors. This document is no longer provided by the IDPH. Each room with a tanning bed shall post the IDPH poster in clear view. Tanning facilities in Coles County may request the poster free of charge. Facilities in other counties need to contact their local health department.

Body Art

The Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Registration Act, enacted in July 2007, requires all facilities performing physical body adornment, including but not limited to, the following techniques: body piercing, tattooing, cosmetic tattooing, branding and scarification to make application with the Department for a permit to operate a body art establishment. With each annual certificate of registration application, the applicant shall submit a $500.00 non-refundable fee. The $500 non-refundable fee shall satisfy the cost of the certificate of registration and the registration of one work station. For each additional work station located in the facility, applicants shall submit, at the time of application, and additional $50 non-refundable fee and are deposited into a dedicated Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Registration Fund.

Establishments are inspected at least annually to determine compliance with various provisions including: equipment labeling and general operation; preparation and care of the body art area; disinfection and sterilization procedures; requirements for single use items, and body artist proficiency requirements. Potential enforcement actions from the Department include exclusion of any or all operators/apprentices from an establishment who are responsible, or appear to be responsible, for the transmission of a communicable disease until the Department determines there is no further risk to public health; permit suspension, denial and revocation; assessment of fines; and, referral to county State's Attorneys for prosecution as a public nuisance.

The Coles County Health Department is responsible for conducting inspections on new establishments, routine inspections and complaint inspections.

Opening a Body Art Establishment:
Any person wishing to open a body art establishment, whether it is a new or existing facility, must request the body art package from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Establishments shall have a copy of the Body Art Code at all times. Many items required for a Body Art Establishment can be requested by phone or email, or downloaded. Registered Body Art Establishments in Coles County may request any of these documents free of charge. Facilities in other counties need to contact their local health department.

Illinois Body Art Program Legal Base - code can be downloaded, please contact CCHD for the Legal Base.
What to Know about Getting a Tattoo - IDPH poster
What to know about Getting a Piercing - IDPH poster

Body Art Links:
Think Before You Ink: Are Tattoos Safe? US Food and Drug Administration
www.cdc.gov search body piercing or tattoo
www.fda.gov search body piercing or tattoo