How do you Become a Tattooist?

Question:

How do you Become a Tattooist?

Okay I am asking this for a friend. He is an Air Brush Artist, he has been airbrushing for a little over 8 years now, and is now looking to get into tattooing.

What does he have to do to get a License or Certificate or whatever is is that you need?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: you have to go to school for a few different things...like blood born pathogins and a few other things...getting cert. for cpr and first aid is also needed in most places. its good to have free hand cap. for drawing up tattoos but a lot of artist do flash anyway. youll have to apprentice for a while and then eventaully get a job at the shop or somewhere else via word of mouth. its a good profession from now but not something i would concider doing for life. not a lot of artist are ballers like you see on tv.