Minimum age for a tattoo in Texas
Texas law says a tattooist may not tattoo a person younger than 18. The one exception is covering an offensive, gang- or drug-related tattoo, with the parent or guardian present. Source: Tex. Health & Safety Code 146.012.
Write to me if this rule changes
- Minimum age
- Under 18
- Parental consent
- Only to cover an existing tattoo: parent or guardian present at the studio, sworn affidavit, ID and proof of parentage.
- Citation
- Tex. Health & Safety Code 146.012
- Source
- Texas.Public.Law (copy of the Texas statutes; the state site renders by script), read November 5, 2026. This is a public copy of the statute, used because the state site could not be read automatically.
What this page does not cover
It states what the cited text says on the date it was read. It does not cover other rules that may apply, such as local ordinances, health department rules, a studio's own policy or a change in the law since that date. The text of the law prevails over this summary.
Get an email if this rule changes
Leave your email and we will write to you if the rule for this state changes. Nothing else.