Fountain City Tattoo Expo

The organizer does not make a marketing claim about licensing; Artists already licensed in Georgia are told that temporary event tattoo permits will be issued after their Georgia tattoo licence is verified. Artists licensed elsewhere are told that, if accepted, the Columbus Environmental Health Department requires a tattoo artist permit application, a notarised verification of residency form, proof of current First Aid certification, proof of completion of a current bloodborne pathogen training programme, a hepatitis B vaccine record or declination form, and a copy of a government issued photo ID. Booth holders are separately made responsible for all location fees, establishment fees and local health department artist licence fees and permits. The regulator is the West Central Health District, covering Muscogee County. Two cautions: the permit forms linked from the application page are 2021 uploads, one of them named for a 2021 convention, and the FAQ sends artists to a resources page for health department requirements that contains none, the real material being on the booth application page instead

Hygiene is imposed on booth holders by contract, in the organizer's own words. Booth holders must meet local health licensing requirements for sterilisation. If tattooing on site they must use single-use needles and inks, dispose of used needles and razors in a sharps container, follow professional tattooing standards and maintain cleanliness, bandage all new tattoos, dispose of or bag contaminated waste daily, check for any tattooing products or materials before leaving, leave no mess, and disinfect the area including work tables and chairs. A sharps container comes with every booth. This is a contractual undertaking by booth holders plus a real health department permit process, not an organizer run inspection regime, and no inspection by the organizer is described

A release form exists and is handed out on site: the exhibitor terms require that all recipients fill out a provided release form and present valid ID. On aftercare, the only rule anywhere is the booth holder obligation to bandage all new tattoos. There is no attendee facing aftercare guidance, no aftercare page and no handout described. Ask your artist for aftercare instructions and do not assume you will be given any in writing

Large bags are allowed but subject to search, there is a security scan point at entry, and service animals only. A COVID-19 visitor safety block is still published in present tense pandemic framing, with one way entrances and exits, social distancing between artists and patrons, a request to stay home if symptomatic and a request to use hand washing and sanitising stations. It reads as un-updated legacy text rather than an active 2026 policy

Georgia permits body art studios and artists through the COUNTY board of health, and it is unlawful to operate a body art studio or perform body art without a valid permit. A convention runs on a temporary body art studio permit, which exists specifically for body art conventions and industry trade shows: the application goes to the health authority at least 30 days before the event with all fees paid before issue, no permit lasts more than seven consecutive days, an applicant cannot hold more than two seven day permits in any thirty days, and a permit cannot be transferred between places or people. Body art may only be performed by someone holding a current Body Artist Certification from the department, or a temporary or guest body artist permit from the health authority, which is exactly why this organizer runs a two track process for Georgia licensed and non Georgia licensed artists. The regulator for this venue is the West Central Health District, covering Muscogee County. No permit number for this event is published by anyone