Currently, Oregon decides who can teach tattooing at specific schools. This is absolutely unacceptable.  Oregon should only have power over health and safety licensing, not who and where artists learn the art of tattooing. 

With this petition we ask Oregon’s lawmakers to detach from tattoo schools and reform Oregon tattoo laws to respect traditional apprenticeships alongside health and safety certificates as safe and adequate training to obtain an Oregon license.

Oregon is one of the most regulated states when it comes to tattooing. The current laws require extensive schooling by select state approved schools that are often inadequate at teaching tattooing. These tattoo schools are government regulated and there is little government funding for tuition.

These strict regulations for tattoo education do not equate to better safety standards or higher quality work. Traditional apprenticeships have been the standard in the industry for decades. In these apprenticeships artists learn much more about the  core values of the industry, what it's like to be an artist, health, safety and business. Apprenticeships also give the opportunity for all experienced tattoo artists to profit off apprenticeships instead of the government selected schools. In other states where traditional apprenticeships are acceptable, tattoo artists are able to retire as teachers. 

According to the Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT), there is no correlation between stricter regulations and lower rates of infection or other health risks associated with tattooing.

We believe that reforming these outdated laws will foster a more vibrant and diverse tattoo community in Oregon while still maintaining high safety standards. We urge our lawmakers to reconsider the current legislation and implement fairer rules that encourage rather than hinder artistic expression in our state.

I am writing this petition as an Oregon resident, and as someone who has personally witnessed the negative impact of our state's tattoo licensing laws related to education requirements. My partner is a tattoo artist and shop owner in Coos Bay and I have seen firsthand how these laws create unnecessary barriers for artists and shop owners to operate, recruit staff and even afford to enter the industry in the first place.

Please sign this petition if you believe in supporting local artists, promoting creative freedom, and ensuring fair business practices within the Oregon tattoo industry.