Can you get a job in healthcare with tattoos?

Author: Dr. Keshawn Nikolaus DVM  |  Last update: Saturday, October 4, 2025

In general, any tattoo that is easily covered up by clothing is perfectly acceptable for a medical assistant. Even tattoos on arms can be covered by wearing long sleeves underneath scrubs. Tattoos that are more visible are more questionable.

Can you work in healthcare with tattoos?

Yes, you absolutely can have tattoos if you work in the healthcare industry.

What jobs have no tattoo policy?

In reality? None. The three traditional ``professions'' are law, medicine and clergy. Visible tattoos are frowned upon in all three although likely more accepted in ministry than law or medicine in the 21st century in the US. True professions remain more conservative about appearance than other career fields.

Can care workers have tattoos?

Yes, you absolutely can have tattoos if you work in the healthcare industry.

Can you be denied a job for tattoos?

The employer can refuse to hire you for any reason except your race, sex, age (40+), religion, national origin, or disability. Not hiring someone for having a tattoo is perfectly legal.

ARE TATTOOS IN THE MEDICAL WORKPLACE ALLOWED

Do employers look down on tattoos?

Tattoos are generally accepted in the workplace as long as they're not offensive, unprofessional or distracting. However, visible tattoos may not be appropriate for every profession. Even if your company allows body art, you may find that customers or coworkers discriminate against tattooed employees.

Why should tattoos be avoided in healthcare?

Visible tattoos can sometimes challenge traditional norms of professionalism, and it is essential for nurses to consider how these might be perceived by patients and colleagues. Body art that is deemed offensive or inappropriate can undermine the nurse's ability to establish trust and rapport with patients.

Can I be a nurse if I have tattoos?

So whether you were young and got a wild wrist tattoo on a whim or made a conscious decision to get a full-sleeve tattoo, take a sigh of relief because there is no law that prohibits tattoos on nurses.

Are tattoos becoming more accepted in the workplace?

Discover the factors leading to the rise of body art in more professional settings. Visible tattoos have often been thought of as workplace taboo. However, it's becoming more common to see professionals with visible body art you traditionally wouldn't see in the office.

What type of tattoo is always permitted in healthcare?

Tattoos that are decorative, non-offensive, and placed in less visible areas are generally always permitted.

What jobs won't hire you with a tattoo?

Workplaces Tattoo Policies
  • Military.
  • Airlines.
  • Medical Professionals.
  • Actors.
  • Teachers/Educators.
  • Law Enforcement.
  • Corporate.
  • Legal.

Can you lose a job because of a tattoo?

Can I Be Fired for Having a Tattoo? An employer is generally free to maintain a policy prohibiting employees from displaying tattoos at work. That means in most circumstances, your employer can discipline or even fire you for displaying a tattoo.

Can a CNA have tattoos?

While there is no law prohibiting nurses from having tattoos, some facilities' protocol forbids workers from having visible body art. Healthcare institutions have diverse tattoo policies. Some insist on coverage, others may permit them with specific rules to follow, and a few can be very strict.

Can you have tattoos as an ultrasound tech?

Minimal amounts of make-up are allowed. Tattoos that are visible must be respectful, not contain inappropriate or offensive images, reference, or languages. Those not considered professional or inappropriate for the workplace are to be covered. Food and chewing gum – Chewing gum is not allowed in clinic.

Can RN have piercings?

Most health facilities have no issue with nurses with nose piercings, especially when they are studs. The standard policy is for the studs to be small(think pin size) and more of a shade closer to your skin color.

Where not to get a tattoo for a job?

Much depends on the specific job you have an how your employer feels about visible tattoos. However, you can bet that getting a face or neck tattoo will make getting a job in specific professions like law enforcement or banking much tougher.

What is the disadvantage of tattoos?

A skin infection is possible after getting a tattoo. An infection might be due to contaminated ink or equipment that isn't sterilized correctly. Getting a tattoo at a studio that doesn't follow good safety steps also can raise your risk of a skin infection.

Are tattoos acceptable in the medical field?

Even tattoos on arms can be covered by wearing long sleeves underneath scrubs. Tattoos that are more visible are more questionable. As long as the tattoo is not offensive, vulgar, or profane, it is generally acceptable.

Can RN remove tattoos?

In California, besides doctors, only physician assistants and registered nurses can perform laser tattoo removal - as long as they're under a doctor's supervision. Cosmetologists, electrologists and estheticians cannot perform it at all.

Can you work at a hospital with hand tattoos?

Some healthcare facilities, especially hospitals and clinics with more conservative dress codes, may have policies requiring nurses to cover visible tattoos, especially those on the hands, neck, or face. They usually do this to maintain a professional appearance and avoid distractions and potential patient discomfort.

Can nursing moms get tattoos?

The Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health advises against pregnant or breastfeeding moms getting tattooed. And while there is no evidence to suggest a newly tattooed mom's breast milk poses a risk to her baby, the possibility of mom contracting an infection is a major area of concern.

Do employers care if you have tattoos?

Generally speaking, most employers echo the sentiment of the CIA and are looking for well-qualified, dependable candidates, not those who are tattoo-free. However, it is important to know that every employer has the right to establish and enforce a dress code, and tattoos and body piercings fit under that umbrella.

Who shouldn't get a tattoo?

If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, a weak immune system, or a bleeding problem, talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo. Also, if you get keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue) you probably should not get a tattoo.

Why tattoos are considered unprofessional?

Problematic tattoos can be revealing about a person's character. They show employers what values or beliefs they might bring to a workplace. On the other hand, if tattoos have nudity or imagery that may be considered inappropriate for certain audiences, the tattoo can easily be covered up with clothing or makeup.

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