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In the state of Oregon, tattooing is a licensed profession. To maintain your license, you must meet certain continuing education requirements every year. 

The requirements may feel time-consuming, but they don’t have to be. If you plan ahead and use the right resources, you can stay on top of your continuing education (CE) every year. 

That way, you continue to provide body art for your clients and stay in good standing with the state licensure board. 

How Often Do Oregon Tattoo Artists Have to Renew Their Licenses?

The Oregon Board of Electrologists and Body Art Practitioners requires tattoo artists to apply for license renewal every year. Besides continuing education, there are other important requirements to meet when you renew. 

Every renewal year, Oregon tattoo artists must:

• Show proof of current CPR certification
• Receive updated first aid training
• Maintain bloodborne pathogens certification
• Meet the yearly CE requirements 

These requirements must be satisfied through approved training and certification providers. 

Yearly Continuing Education Requirements for Oregon Tattoo Artists

Every year that you plan to renew your license, you must obtain 10 hours of continuing education. Five of these 10 hours can be obtained through self-study. You must carefully document your studies and keep records of them. 

The board offers a self-study continuing education verification form that allows you to easily track your hours. It’s a good idea to print this or keep a digital copy for proof of study. 

What Counts as Self-Study?

For your self-study hours, you get to choose what and how you learn. Approved self-study formats include:

• Online courses
• Printed or digital books (including textbooks)
• Audiobooks
• Educational films
• Videos
• Presentation slides

Self-study online courses should be facilitated by an approved home study organization to count toward your continuing education hours. 

Do Extra CE Hours Carry Over?

Yes, you can carry over up to eight hours of continuing education into the next renewal year. This means if you get up to 18 hours of CE in one renewal year, eight of those hours will carry over into the following year. 

What Topics Do CE Courses Have to Cover?

CE hours for tattoo artists in Oregon need to cover tattooing-specific topics. Appropriate topics include, but are not limited to, safety and sterilization, art and design, tattoo art regulations, and business management. 

How Long Do You Have to Keep Documentation of Your CE Hours?

Oregon requires licensed tattoo artists to keep records of their CE hours for five years after the renewal date. You may be asked to submit this documentation to the appropriate offices at any time within the five-year retention period. 

Do CPR and Bloodborne Pathogens Trainings Count for CE Hours?

No. Oregon requires CPR and bloodborne pathogens training and certifications for license renewal. These are separate from your CE requirements and do not count toward your 10 hours of study.

Use RocketCert to Knock Out Your CE Hours

RocketCert is the key to high-quality, consistent continuing education for Oregon tattoo artists. Use RocketCert to find relevant courses and stay up-to-date on your hours.