Some Yakima County tattoo shops still operating without a license
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YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. -- Several tattoo shops in Yakima County are still operating illegally without a state license.
New laws took effect in 2010 that requiring all tattoo parlors to be licensed.
Last summer only three parlors were licensed in Yakima County, according to the Department of Licensing. Action News learned that number is now up to eight.
One local tattoo artist said he only recently got his license within the last year.
"I guess applied but not enforced as they wanted to in the beginning," said Pete Compian, owner of Addiction Tattoos and Body Piercings. "They were kind of giving us a chance to get everything done and in order. And it wasn't just getting your license, it was getting your insurance, getting your testing done."
State inspectors regularly visit shops to check on tattoo parlors.
New laws took effect in 2010 that requiring all tattoo parlors to be licensed.
Last summer only three parlors were licensed in Yakima County, according to the Department of Licensing. Action News learned that number is now up to eight.
One local tattoo artist said he only recently got his license within the last year.
"I guess applied but not enforced as they wanted to in the beginning," said Pete Compian, owner of Addiction Tattoos and Body Piercings. "They were kind of giving us a chance to get everything done and in order. And it wasn't just getting your license, it was getting your insurance, getting your testing done."
State inspectors regularly visit shops to check on tattoo parlors.
