Donors who have had tattoos or permanent make-up applied by a state regulated entity with sterile needles and non re-used ink may be eligible to donate.

Donors who have had a tattoo or permanent make-up may donate if it was performed by a licensed tattoo artist in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, or other state as listed below.

The site must be clean, dry, and pain-free or the donor is deferred until the site is healed.

If the tattoo or permanent make-up was not applied by a licensed artist, donors are deferred for 12 months from the date of the application.


States Acceptable for Tattoos:

Alabama
Alaska (for tattoos applied after 12/2003)
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado (for tattoos applied after 8/2003)
Delaware (for tattoos applied after 1/2003)
Hawaii
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Michigan (for tattoos applied after 1/2009)
Mississippi
Montana
New Hampshire
New Jersey (for tattoos applied after 2/2003)
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Rhode Island South Carolina (for tattoos applied after 5/2008)
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Massachusetts
  Attleboro (includes South but NOT North Attleboro)
  Boston
  Fall River
  New Bedford
  Swansea
  Seekonk
  Taunton
  Uxbridge

Also, donors who have had ear or body piercing using sterile techniques are acceptable. Otherwise, they are deferred 12 months.

For more information regarding medications, immunizations, or other medical related questions, please call Hoxworth's Donor Services at (513) 558-1304 or (800) 265-1515.

Updated: 1/5/11