One small thing the Illinois Tattoo Law got wrong

I sat here most of the day pondering a question about the new Illinois Tattoo Law that was passed back in 2008 and until recently was finally being enforced. Do you know that a Hairstylist has to complete at least 1500 hours of schooling both in the classroom and doing practicals? Also do you know that most medical careers are required to complete hours both in the classroom and on the job training? So I was thinking to myself and pondering why in the world doesn't tattoo artist or piercers need to complete any kind of training? Ya the law says that artist have to be Bloodborne Pathogen certified!! But does that really mean they have training in the art of tattooing or body piercing? No it does not. Most people go and buy equipment of Ebay or Craigslist not even knowing how to tune a machine by the way-then go and screw someone up.

I believe that Artist and Piercers need to have so many hours of education as well as an apprenticeship before being allowed to tattoo. I think that a 1500 hour educational program would do wonders with weeding all the bad shops out as well as push fines on scratchers that work out of non certified shops. I believe it would help the industry remain stable through the years as well as get rid of fly by nights that are just there for their pocket book.

Well how could something like this work? Well all artist now that are listed on a shops sheet with the State of Illinois would be grandfathered in and regarded as licensed under that shop. Real Estate salespersons have there licensed sponsored by a broker in order to work. I think something similar could work in the Tattoo industry. An artist would have to be licensed but sponsored by a shop only after receiving the appropriate number of hours with a state certified school. Alot of people will pay up to $8000 for an apprenticeship and learn very little and not receive any certification what so ever. If the State of Illinois requires certification then paying that kind of money will mean something and other shops will then recognize that certification as legit.

I truly believe this is where the industry needs to go. Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo has already started a Tattoo School which requires at least a one year schedule. If a law was passed to train artist not only in the arts and safety but also require additional skills that a person can use if they dont make it in the tattoo world it would just be great for everyone involved.

For more info on attending Aberration Pro Custom Tattoos School visit http://www.aberrationink.com or to view information about tattoo laws visit http://tattoos.lovetoknow.com/State_Tattooing_Laws which gives a number of great articles on the regulation of the profession.