Become a Tattoo Artist in Long Beach, California

You can start training as a Tattoo Artist now, with two of our tattoo studios within easy reach of Long Beach. Our Los Angeles tattoo studio is about 25 miles away, and our Orange County tattoo studio, one of our Spanish-speaking locations, is about 20 miles away. At either, you can train 1:1 with a working Tattoo Artist through Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship. Tattoo Artists in California earn an average of $105,459 a year, according to ZipRecruiter.

What does it take to become a tattoo artist in Long Beach?

It takes structured training with an experienced Mentor, bloodborne pathogen training, and the discipline to master drawing, machine handling and client care over 18 to 24 months.

Talent alone won’t carry you. What separates a hobbyist from a professional is training that builds a real foundation: line work, shading, color theory, sanitation and the people skills of working with nervous clients.

The right Mentor shortens the distance between where you are and where you want to be.

Why is Long Beach a great place to start a tattoo career?

Long Beach has a deep place in American tattoo history, and California pays Tattoo Artists close to the national average.

Start with income. As of October 2026, Tattoo Artists in California earn an average of $105,459 a year, according to ZipRecruiter. Established Tattoo Artists with a full book earn much more.

Here’s the honest cost picture. Long Beach’s cost of living is 49% higher than the national average, according to Redfin, with housing about double the national average. That’s why training close to home, and building a strong client base, matters here.

The history runs deep. Long Beach is home to Outer Limits Tattoo, co-owned by Kari Barba and described as the oldest tattoo shop in the United States. Becoming a Tattoo Artist here means joining a long local tradition.

Reality check: Seats in quality tattoo apprenticeships are limited, because real mentorship can only be given to so many people at once.  

How do you become a tattoo artist in Long Beach step by step?

Commit to the craft, start a structured tattoo apprenticeship, complete your safety training, master the fundamentals, then get your health permit where you’ll work.

• Step one: Commit to the decision. The hardest part of any journey is choosing to begin.
• Step two: Start a structured tattoo apprenticeship. Apply to train at our Los Angeles or Orange County tattoo studio through our Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship.
• Step three: Complete bloodborne pathogen training. Learn the body art safety training California requires, based on the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.
• Step four: Master the fundamentals. Progress through drawing, synthetic skin and supervised client work until your hands and eyes agree.
• Step five: Get registered where you work. Register with the health department for the city or county where you’ll tattoo.
• Step six: Build your brand and portfolio. Our guide to platforms to help tattoo artists build their brand shows you where to begin.

Read our breakdown of mistakes aspiring tattoo apprentices should avoid before you start.

What are the licensing requirements in California?

California regulates tattooing through the Safe Body Art Act, enforced locally. Long Beach is one of the few cities in Los Angeles County that runs its own environmental health department, separate from the county.

Here’s what applies in Long Beach, through the City of Long Beach Body Art Program:

• Annual health permits: Tattoo studios and Tattoo Artists working in Long Beach must each hold an annual health permit from the city.
• Yearly inspections: City inspectors check every tattoo studio annually for Safe Body Art Act compliance.
• Safety training and Hepatitis B status: Tattoo Artists need bloodborne pathogens exposure control training and proof of Hepatitis B vaccination status.
• Registration where you work: If you train in Los Angeles or Orange County, you’ll register with that county’s health department instead.

Your training also covers client aftercare, guided by the American Academy of Dermatology. 

Can you become a tattoo artist with no experience?

Yes. A quality tattoo apprenticeship teaches drawing, machine handling and sanitation from the ground up.

“I can’t even draw a stick figure” is something we hear often. That’s fine. It means you have no bad habits to unlearn. Drawing is a skill, and skills are trained.

What you need is hunger and willingness to put in the reps. 

Why choose Ink Different Tattoos in Long Beach?

Ink Different is a real alternative to college. We match you 1:1 with a Mentor at a tattoo studio near Long Beach, train you in person and give you a guaranteed job offer when you finish.

We’re not a course that hands out videos and wishes you luck. Our tattoo apprenticeship is built around real relationships, real tattoo studios and real accountability. Read how tattoo apprenticeships are gaining ground as a solid alternative to college.

In a world obsessed with automation, tattooing stays human. Our piece on why tattoo artists are still essential explains why this is an AI-proof path.

What does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship include?

Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases. You get 1:1 mentorship, licensing support, interest-free payment plans and a guaranteed job offer at one of our tattoo studios.

Each phase builds on the last, so your confidence grows with your skill. Ink Different Tattoos offers its Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship in 60+ locations nationwide, including our Los Angeles and Orange County tattoo studios. Here’s how the four phases work:

• Phase 1, drawing and design: Drawing, design and sanitation principles.
• Phase 2, hygiene and safety: Sterilization, infection control and body art bloodborne pathogen training.
• Phase 3, machine work: Machine handling and practice on synthetic skin.
• Phase 4, real clients: Supervised work on real clients in a professional tattoo studio, plus licensing prep.

Each Mentor takes on only two Tattoo Apprentices per tattoo studio. Interest-free payment plans let you spread the cost while you train, and when you finish, you get a guaranteed job offer at one of our tattoo studios.

What is the Master Mentorship program?

Master Mentorship is a one-year, in-person intensive where beginner and experienced Tattoo Artists train with celebrity and award-winning Master Mentors. You master a specific style, grow your career faster and work toward owning a tattoo studio.

You train directly with our Master Mentors: Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface and Jordi Pla. It pushes your brand and your craft to the next level.

How does Ink Different make tattoo training accessible?

Ink Different has Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, New York City, Miami, San Antonio and San Diego. Orange County is about 20 miles from Long Beach.

Our “Good Humans” culture means you join a family that supports you, celebrates your wins and keeps you accountable. You’re never on this journey alone.

Ready to take the first step?

The only thing that changes your story is a decision. Your nearest tattoo studios are ready now.

Apply to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship today and start training at our Los Angeles or Orange County tattoo studio. Prefer to explore first? Book a call or fill out our quick questionnaire for personalized support.