---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-5-71. Tattooing.
collection: code
id: 16-5-71
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-5-71 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-5-71
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-5-71.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-5-71/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t16-ch1-6-(v14)-2019-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=af47a366_0#page=1000
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-5.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-5-70.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-5-71.1.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMES AND OFFENSES / CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON / CRUELTY TO CHILDREN
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-5-71. Tattooing.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to tattoo the body of any person under the age of 18, except that a physician or osteopath licensed under Chapter 34 of Title 43, or a technician acting under the direct supervision of such licensed physician or osteopath, and in compliance with Chapter 9 of Title 31 shall be authorized to mark or color the skin of any person under the age of 18 by pricking in coloring matter or by producing scars for medical or cosmetic purposes.

(b) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

## History

Code 1981, § 16-5-71, enacted by Ga. L. 1987, p. 443, § 1; Ga. L. 1994, p. 446, § 1.

## Cross References

Body art studios, § 31-40-1 et seq.