Illinois microblading and permanent makeup rules
Do you need a license to do microblading in Illinois?
No state license for the artist. Illinois registers the establishment, not the individual: the location holds the body art permit with IDPH, and each artist must show proof of education, including bloodborne pathogen training that meets OSHA standards. Below: the studio license, the agency that issues them, local rules and what Illinois says about microblading itself, each answered from Illinois's own statutes, rules or agency pages, read on October 24, 2026.
- Artist license
- No state license
- Studio license
- License needed
- Studio fee
- $500
- Local rules
- County or city too
Licensed by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Body Art Program.The agency's page The state's own words
The artist
Do you need a license to do permanent makeup in Illinois?
No state license for the artist. Illinois registers the establishment, not the individual: the location holds the body art permit with IDPH, and each artist must show proof of education, including bloodborne pathogen training that meets OSHA standards.
- License needed
- No state license
The studio
Does a microblading studio need a license in Illinois?
Yes. A studio that does permanent makeup must hold an IDPH Body Art Establishment registration before it operates. The registration fee is $500 for one work station, plus $50 for each additional work station.
- License needed
- License needed
- License name
- Body Art Establishment Registration
- State fee
- $500
Microblading by name
Is microblading considered tattooing in Illinois?
Yes, by name. IDPH says it regulates all establishments that perform body art such as tattooing and permanent makeup, including microblading.
Local rules
Do counties or cities license permanent makeup in Illinois?
Yes. IDPH says Certified Local Health Departments may contract with the state to conduct body art inspections in their jurisdiction, and that cities and counties may have additional requirements.
Good to know
What else Illinois asks of permanent makeup artists
- The artist must provide proof of a bloodborne pathogen training that meets OSHA standards. The training does not have to be taken in Illinois.
- Only operators may apply for a body art registration certificate. A landlord cannot register a rented location for an operator.
- Body art done in a physician's office by the physician is exempt from registration. Anyone else doing it in a physician's office needs a registered location.
Sources
What Illinois's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Illinois's own statutes, rules or agency pages, read on October 24, 2026. Rules change, and counties can add their own: confirm with IDPH before you start.
- The artist's license
“The location holds the Body Art permit with IDPH, not the individual.”
dph.illinois.gov - The studio's license
“A certificate of registration issued by the Department shall be required prior to the operation of any establishment or multi-type establishment.”
ilga.gov “"Tattooing" includes imparting permanent makeup on the skin, such as permanent lip coloring and permanent eyeliner.”
ilga.gov “All establishments providing body art services such as tattooing, piercing, branding or scarification are required to be registered with the Department.”
dph.illinois.gov “Body Art Establishment Registration or Tanning Facility Permit Application”
dph.illinois.gov “Submit registration fee of $500.00 US dollars for the establishment and”
dph.illinois.gov - Who issues it
“The Illinois Department of Public Health regulates all establishments that perform body art procedures such as tattooing, permanent makeup – including Microblading, piercing, etc.”
dph.illinois.gov - Local rules
“Certified Local Health Departments may contract with the Department to conduct the inspections in their jurisdiction.”
dph.illinois.gov - Also good to know
“The artist is required to provide proof of education including a blood borne pathogen training that meets OSHA standards.”
dph.illinois.gov - Also good to know
“Only Operators are allowed to register for body art registration certificates.”
dph.illinois.gov - Also good to know
“If body art is done in a Physician’s office by the Physician they are exempt.”
dph.illinois.gov
Questions
Illinois microblading licenses, answered
Do you need a license to do microblading in Illinois?
Is microblading considered tattooing or permanent makeup in Illinois?
Does a permanent makeup studio need a license in Illinois?
Who licenses permanent makeup artists in Illinois?
Does a cosmetology or esthetician license cover microblading in Illinois?
Plan the rest
Licensed and ready to book clients
- Lash extensions, brow lamination, waxing and threading in Illinois: which license each needs
- Microneedling, peels, laser and Botox: what an esthetician may do in Illinois
- What Illinois requires to open a salon or studio
- What Illinois inspectors check in a salon
- Renting a room or a chair? Start from a booth rental agreement
Microblading rules in other states
Ready when you are
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