NAICS Code for Tattoo Artist | 812199 Explained

812199 – The primary NAICS code for tattoo artists, tattoo parlors, and permanent cosmetic studios (Other Personal Care Services).
Personal Care Distinction – This code is specifically for cosmetic and wellness body art, not medical procedures performed by doctors.
Broad Scope – Code 812199 also covers other body modification and personal care services like ear piercing, microblading, and tanning salons.
Business Registration – Using the correct code ensures you are properly classified for local licensing, SBA loans, and commercial insurance.

If you own or operate a tattoo studio, finding your NAICS code—specifically 812199 for Other Personal Care Services—is a straightforward but important step. Unlike highly specific industry classifications, tattooing falls under a broader “catch-all” category for personal care. Because local and federal governments use this code to track your business type, assess risk, and verify licensing, getting it right matters. This guide explains exactly what code 812199 covers in plain English, so you know exactly how to classify your tattoo business.

What is a Tattoo Artist NAICS Code?

A NAICS code is a six-digit number used by federal agencies to classify your business by its primary economic activity. For tattoo artists, this code serves a very specific purpose: it tells government agencies and financial institutions that your business provides personal care services applied directly to the body.

This distinction is critical. It separates your tattoo parlor from a standard retail store, a medical clinic, or a traditional hair salon. Because the physical risks and regulatory requirements of a tattoo studio are unique, having the correct classification ensures you are evaluated properly for insurance, loans, and local health permits.

Primary NAICS Codes for Tattoo Artists (and What They Mean)

When you search for your classification, you will land on one primary code. Here is what it actually means:

812199 – Other Personal Care Services

What it means: This is the code for businesses that provide personal care services applied to the body for cosmetic or wellness purposes, which don’t fit into the highly specific categories for hair salons or nail technicians.

If you operate a studio where clients receive permanent body art, you use this code. According to the 2022 NAICS data, this classification covers a wide variety of cosmetic body services, including:

Tattoo parlors providing permanent body art
Microblading and permanent cosmetic tattooing (e.g., eyebrows, eyeliner)
Ear piercing and body piercing services
Tanning salons
Depilatory and electrolysis hair removal
Steam baths and saunas

The defining characteristic of this code is direct, cosmetic application to the human body outside of a medical setting.

The Challenge of Choosing the Right Personal Care Code

The most common mistake tattoo artists make is assuming their business falls under a medical or healthcare code because the work involves needles and breaking the skin. It does not.

Unless you are a licensed physician, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon performing cosmetic tattooing as part of a broader medical or dermatological practice (which would fall under Sector 62, Health Care), your standalone tattoo studio is strictly classified under Sector 81 (Other Services).

Another point of confusion arises for artists who sell a lot of retail merchandise—like t-shirts, prints, or aftercare products. You must classify your business based on the activity that generates the majority of your revenue. If 70% of your income comes from tattooing and 30% comes from selling t-shirts, your primary code remains 812199.

Where You Will Need This Code

Having the correct tattoo parlor NAICS code is a mandatory step in several critical areas of your business:

Local Licensing and Health Permits: City and county health departments heavily regulate tattoo parlors. When you apply for your health permit or studio license, the local government will ask for your NAICS code to verify you are operating in the correct business category.
Business Insurance: Insurance providers use code 812199 to calculate your premiums for General Liability and Professional Liability insurance. Tattoo studios carry specific risks (like bloodborne pathogens and skin reactions), and insurers use this code to price those risks accurately.
SBA Loan Applications: If you need a loan to open a new studio or buy top-of-the-line equipment, the Small Business Administration and your bank will use this code to assess your industry’s financial risk profile.
Business Bank Accounts: Many commercial banks require a NAICS code to open a business checking account and to properly categorize your transactions.
Federal Contracting via SAM.gov: While less common, if your studio provides services to government agencies or military bases, you must be registered on SAM.gov under this exact code to bid on contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does NAICS code 812199 cover microblading and permanent makeup?

Yes. As long as the microblading or permanent makeup is being applied in a personal care studio setting by a non-medical professional (like a licensed tattoo artist or esthetician), it falls perfectly under 812199.

What if I run a combined tattoo parlor and hair salon?

If your business generates the majority of its revenue from hair services, you would use a hair salon code (like 812111). If the majority of your revenue comes from tattooing and piercing, you use 812199. You classify based on whichever service makes up more than 50% of your total income.

Is a tattoo parlor considered a medical facility under NAICS?

No. A standard tattoo parlor is strictly classified under Sector 81 (Other Services except Public Administration) as a personal care service. It is not classified under Sector 62 (Health Care and Social Assistance).

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