The usual components
1) A personal practitioner licence to tattoo / do micropigmentation, issued by a state, county or council, often requiring proof of training hours and a bloodborne-pathogens course. 2) A premises licence / registration for the studio, with a health inspection of your setup, sterilisation and waste handling. 3) Bloodborne-pathogens (and sometimes first-aid) certification, frequently renewed annually. 4) General business licence/registration and tax setup. 5) Insurance (next article), which many landlords and platforms require.
It varies enormously
Some US states license tightly at state level; others delegate to counties with very different rules; a few barely regulate. The UK licenses through local councils under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act / London Local Authorities Act (and Skin Piercing bylaws in Scotland/NI). The EU adds pigment-compliance duties. Always confirm with the specific authority for your address — not a forum.
Working legally elsewhere
Guest-spotting in another city or country usually needs that jurisdiction's licence or a temporary permit, plus their pigment rules. 'I'm only visiting' is not a defence if an inspector calls.
