What tattoos are permitted in healthcare?

Author: Adan Beatty  |  Last update: Thursday, October 2, 2025

Some Common Body Art Policies For Nurses:
  • Must cover up any tattoo completely with long sleeves or bandages.
  • No tattoos above the collar or below the elbow allowed.
  • No visible tattoos when wearing scrubs.
  • Large or offensive imagery must be concealed.

Can you work in healthcare with tattoos?

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

What type of tattoo is always permitted in health care?

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

Can care workers have tattoos?

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

Can I be a doctor if I have tattoos?

Yes, someone can be a doctor even if they have a tattoo. While some medical institutions may have dress codes that require tattoos to be covered during work hours, having a tattoo does not disqualify someone from becoming a doctor.

Are Tattoos Used in Medicine?

What tattoos can you not have in the medical field?

Common Policies for Tattoos in the Medical Field

Neck, face, or collar tattoos are widely restricted in the workplace. Visible body piercings, including on the nose, lips, and face, should be removed or concealed. Visible tattoos must be covered up by long sleeve scrubs, medical tape, or makeup.

Can I be a lawyer with tattoos?

Lawyers are not, say, lifeguards. They don't expose a lot of skin. And just about all of the advice we saw on the internet said lawyers can definitely rock a tat — just make sure it's not exposed.

What jobs have no tattoo policy?

Here's a short list of some of the most common employers that either don't allow tattoos or ask you to cover them up at work:
  • Healthcare Professionals. ...
  • Police Officers and Law Enforcement. ...
  • Law Firms. ...
  • Administrative Assistants and Receptionists. ...
  • Financial Institutions and Banks. ...
  • Teachers. ...
  • Hotels / Resorts. ...
  • Government.

Can I be a nurse if I have tattoos?

The simple answer is yes. A tattoo is unlikely to disqualify you from working as a nurse, though there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Depending on your place of work, there may be rules about the types of tattoos and visibility restrictions, but these can vary greatly from place to place.

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.

What 11 states don t regulate tattoos?

Currently, the only states that DO NOT regulate tattoo facilities are Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming, as well as the District of Columbia.

What medical conditions stop you getting a tattoo?

I've got a medical condition... can I still get tattooed?
  • Just so you know… ...
  • Diabetes - ...
  • Certain medications including blood thinners - ...
  • Any condition needing immunosuppressants - Crohn's disease, Lupus, Some skin conditions, etc - ...
  • Skin conditions like Excema and Psoriasis - ...
  • On antibiotics? - ...
  • HIV/AIDS -

What are basic tattoos to avoid?

If you don't want to regret your body art, read this list of tattoos that you should never get.
  • White Ink Tattoos. White ink tattoos are the latest trend. ...
  • Face Tattoos. ...
  • Partner's Name. ...
  • A Cheap Tattoo. ...
  • Any Tattoo While Intoxicated. ...
  • An Offensive Tattoo. ...
  • What to Do If You Don't Like Your Tattoo.

Can you be denied a job for tattoos?

Yes, California employers can ask employees to cover tattoos and piercings. Employers can even refuse to hire potential employees with tattoos or piercings.

Can travel nurses have tattoos?

The short answer is yes, but the policies of the facility you work in may vary. Some hospitals and agencies may require you to cover up tattoos and remove piercings, while others may be more lenient.

Can you be a phlebotomist with tattoos?

Tattoos must be completely covered. Protective footwear that completely covers the foot is also required. Appropriate dress expectations will be emphasized in all Phlebotomy courses. These expectations are in compliance with most health care work environments.

Do hospitals allow 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.

What type of tattoo is always permitted?

Non-visible tattoos are almost always allowed.

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.

What jobs won't hire you with a tattoo?

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

Are tattoos unprofessional for doctors?

Some experts recommend that appearance should be appropriate for the patient population, and this can be considered. Although patients may not mind a resident's or fellow's tattoos, the same may not be said for attendings, as medicine has historically been a conservative profession.

What are considered offensive tattoos?

Offensive Tattoos or Body Art- Any tattoo or body art depicting words, pictures, or symbols, which can be interpreted to advocate, promote, or support racial, gender, or ethnic hatred or intolerance.

Can teachers have tattoos?

There is no law forbidding teachers from having tattoos. However, there is also no legislation protecting inked educators from discrimination. Each school district or private institution has the right to set its own dress code policies. Tattoos fall within that code of conduct.

Will tattoos affect my career?

A Tattoo Won't Hurt Your Job Prospects. Michael T. French of the University of Miami and colleagues surveyed more than 2,000 people in the United States and found that those with tattoos were no less likely to be employed than their uninked counterparts, and that average earnings were the same for both groups.

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