Tattoo Artists Complain About Licensing Procedures

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Only 14 of an estimated 100 tattoo shops in Oklahoma have gotten licenses since a law legalizing tattooing went into effect in November.<br/><br/>The reason for many is a part of

Thursday, January 11th 2007, 9:40 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Only 14 of an estimated 100 tattoo shops in Oklahoma have gotten licenses since a law legalizing tattooing went into effect in November.

The reason for many is a part of the law which requires the shops to have a $100,000 surety bond and state Representative Al Lindley says he'll offer an amendment to remove the bond requirement.

Tressa Madden with the state Health Department says the surety bond was intended to pay any needed medical expenses after a person got a tattoo. But surety bonds don't cover medical liability.

Tattoo shops have until February 1st to get a license or they face fines of $5,000 a day.

Tattoo shop owner Chris Brady says he believes the surety bond requirement is unconstitutional and says he's ready to challenge it in court.