Environmental Health
Protecting Public Health Through Permits, Inspections, and Rabies ControlTennessee's Program for Environmental Health
The Tennessee Department of Health's Environmental Health Program permits, inspects, and enforces state laws affecting the following types of businesses:
Food Service Establishments
Hotels
Public Swimming Pools
Tattoo Establishments
Body Piercing Establishments
Bed & Breakfasts
Organized Campgrounds
Quick Links
Environmental Health Program Permit Application
Complete the survey below to request a permit application from TDH's Environmental Health Program for any of the listed application types. Look for this survey when referenced under individual Environmental Health Program topics.
Contact
Environmental Health Program
Phone: (615) 741-7206
Email: Geh.health@tn.gov
Bed and Breakfast Establishments
The Tennessee Environmental Health Program is responsible for the inspection of bed and breakfast facilities.
Environmental health specialists inspect every bed and breakfast facility at least twice a year or more often as deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the Bed and Breakfast Establishment Inspection Act of 1990 and the bed and breakfast rules and regulations.
Current bed and breakfast permits must be displayed in a prominent location for the public to view and the inspection report must be available for public scrutiny.
*Tennessee Code, Title 68, Chapter 14.’
Body Piercing - Licensing & Inspection Info
"Body piercing" means the piercing of any part of the body for compensation by someone, other than a physician licensed under title 63, who utilizes a needle or other instrument for the purpose of inserting an object into the body for nonmedical purposes. "Body piercing" includes ear piercing except when the ear piercing procedure is performed on the ear with an ear piercing gun.
What is Required to be Licensed as a Body Piercing Apprentice?
In order to receive a Body Piercing Apprentice license, you must:
(a) Have a Body Piercing Technician, who is currently licensed in Tennessee, agree to supervise and train you for a minimum of one year.
(b) Operate from an approved, permitted body piercing establishment.
(c) Submit an application with appropriate fee (Note – the EHS in the County where the Apprentice resides will complete the application once the required forms are submitted.
This FORM must be completed by the Body Piercing Technician who will be supervising and training the Apprentice. It must be submitted to the county health department where the Apprentice resides.
This FORM must be completed by the Apprentice once the minimum one (1) requirement has been met for training under the supervision of a body piercing technician. It must be signed by the apprentice, notarized and submitted to the county health department where the Apprentice resides.
Body Piercing Establishments
The Tennessee Environmental Health Program licenses and inspects body piercing establishments at least once per year*.
- 2022 Infection Control Training Class (BBP)
- Body Piercing Statement of Understanding
- Medline Plus: Tattoos and Piercings
- Mayo Clinic: Tattoos and Piercings: What you should know before you go under the needle
- Centers for Disease Control: Can I get HIV from getting a tattoo or through body piercing?
*Tennessee Code, Title 62, Chapter 38
Child Care Facilities
The Tennessee Division of Environmental Health conducts inspections of child care facilities, as well as their food service operations.
Child care facilities are inspected twice per year by the health department for sanitation and safety requirements.
Contact your local Department of Human Services for licensing of child care facilities.
Ensuring Food Safety in Tennessee
The Tennessee Environmental Health Program is responsible for protecting public health by permitting and enforcing the Tennessee Food Safety law. Environmental Health Specialists work in all Tennessee Local Health Departments. Find your Local Health Department's contact information at the link below to speak with your local Environmental Health Specialist. Links below also to surveys for Temporary Food Establishments.
There are “Contract Counties” in Tennessee responsible for their own food establishment inspections, invoicing, permitting, and enforcement at the local level. Questions regarding establishments in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, or Shelby counties can be directed to the contacts below:
Chattanooga/Hamilton County 423-209-8118
Jackson/Madison County 731-423-3020, ext. 2002
Knoxville/Knox County 865-215-5200
Nashville/Davidson County 615-340-5620
Memphis/Shelby County 901-222-9190
Food Recall Links & Information
Farmer's Market Food Unit Permitting
Link to Farmer's Market Food Unit Permitting Public Chapter
Farmers Market Food Unit permits are available to vendors who plan to prepare and serve food at Tennessee Farmers Markets (as defined in T.C.A. § 68-14-7) using Improvised equipment rather than permanent, facilities or equipment for accomplishing functions, such as:
- Handwashing,
- Food preparation and protection,
- Food temperature control,
- Ware washing,
- Providing drinking water,
- Waste retention and disposal,
- Insect and rodent control
Application Process:
If a person operates more than one (1) farmers market food unit simultaneously, then the person must possess a separate permit for each farmers market food unit.
2. The completed survey will be reviewed by the TDH staff in the county where you reside. If you reside outside the state of Tennessee, your application will be assigned to the appropriate Tennessee county for review/permitting.
3. TDH staff will reach out to you by phone or email to schedule a pre-operational permitting appointment at the local health department in the county where you reside. You must bring your minimum required improvised equipment to the pre-operational permitting appointment:
Handwashing:
- Beverage cooler with a spigot (minimum 5-gallon capacity)
- Hand soap and paper towels
- 5-gallon bucket used to collect dirty handwashing water
Food Preparation and Protection:
- Food/beverage dispensing equipment (supply of clean disposable gloves and/or serving utensils to prevent bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods)
- Covered storage containers, sneeze guards, and
- Box or oscillating fan and extension cords, if uncovered foods are displayed
Adequate means to keep cold food cold and hot foods hot (as required based on the types of foods prepared and served).
Ware washing:
- At least 3 dish pans that are large enough to submerge the largest equipment/utensils to wash, rinse, and sanitize equipment and utensils
- Clean water, dish soap, approved sanitizer,
- Sanitizer test strips (used to measure the concentration of the sanitizer solution)
4. Pay the FMFU permit fee:
a. FMFU permit fee is $300 annually. The food service establishment permit year is July 1 through June 30.
b. If you apply for a FMFU permit after January 1, the permit fee for the current year is prorated to $150 for the current year. Invoices for permit renewals are mailed in mid-May. FMFU permits must be renewed before July 1 each year.
Example:
You apply for your first FMFU permit on March 1, 2024:
- The permit fee at the time of permitting (March 1, 2024) is $150.
- This permit expires on June 30, 2024.
You must renew your FMFU permit before July 1, 2024, to continue operating the FMFU:
- The renewed permit will cost $300 and expire on June 30, 2025.
5. A copy of the current, active FMFU permit and a copy of your current inspection must be conspicuously posted every time the FMFU is operated.
Food Safety Fact Sheets
School Plant Inspections
The Tennessee Environmental Health Program conducts inspections of school plants for sanitation and safety requirements. Inspections of school plants are made two times per year in most counties. Some counties have requested not to be inspected. Contact the local education authority for further information.
More Food Safety Information & Links
Submit a Food Service Establishment Complaint Involving Illness
Please COMPLETE THIS SURVEY if you believe food you ate at a Tennessee food service establishment made you sick.
About the Tennessee Foodborne Illness Survey:
Tennessee’s public-facing complaint system is an online survey that allows you to file a foodborne illness report when events surrounding your illness are fresh on your mind. When you think something you ate made you sick (and possibly others), fill out the questions completely to capture as much information as possible to send to your local health department. The health department will examine your report, investigate if needed, and capture real-time information about what is going on in your community.
What information do I need to provide?
Detailed information is essential to helping us do a thorough investigation, such as:
- Name and address of the restaurant,
- Dates meals were eaten,
- Names and contact information of others in your dining party, and
- Information about your symptoms
Laboratory testing:
When a foodborne illness outbreak is first suspected, the germ that caused people to become sick is likely unknown. The identification of that germ by laboratory testing is a critical piece of the puzzle that will help focus the investigation. If you are ill with symptoms that you believe may be associated with an outbreak, it is recommended you see your doctor so that samples (like a stool specimen) can be collected for laboratory testing; or your health department may request to collect specimens from you.
A note about “last meal bias”
People often associate their illness with the last food or meal that they consumed. While there are some germs (particularly toxins) that cause illness to develop quickly after consuming contaminated food items (as short as 30 minutes), there are many foodborne illnesses that can take up to 72 hours (3 days) or longer to develop. When thinking about what might have caused you to become ill, it is helpful to review the food items that you have eaten over the last several days.
What happens when I file a Foodborne Illness Report?
Once you hit submit, the report will be sent to your local health department. Department staff will follow-up with you if there are any questions. After they gather all the information necessary, the Environmental Health Specialist will decide the course of action. If warranted, they will visit the food establishment you suspect made you sick to check for safe food handling practices. Additionally, they will look for trends in other foodborne illness reports to see if there are commonalities that might suggest an outbreak has occurred. The goal is to get the information quickly from you, the consumer, and act quickly to prevent others from becoming sick.
If Your Complaint Doesn't Involve Illness
If you have a complaint that does NOT include a reported illness, please complete this survey to submit your complaint.
Do you need to file a complaint about one of these issues?
- Grocery Stores or Convenience Stores: If your concern is regarding a retail food store or food service operation within a retail food store, you can click here to view food safety information from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
- Health Care Providers: Click here for information about filing complaints against health care providers.
- Skilled Nursing Homes or Hospitals: Information on how to file a complaint against a provider or facility
- Environmental Contamination Issues (Air or water pollution, septic tanks): Ask TDEC a Question
- Nuisance Complaints (tall grass, dirty pool, etc.): Contact the local codes department in the county where the nuisance exists
- Non-Smoker Protection Act: Smokefree Tennessee
Submit an HACCP Plan or Apply for a Variance
Online Variance Application Form
Hotel Program
The Tennessee Department of Health is responsible for permitting and inspecting hotels to ensure compliance with the Tennessee hotel law and rules.
A hotel is defined as "any building or establishment kept, used, maintained, or advertised to the public to be a place where sleeping accommodations are furnished for pay to transients or travelers whether or not meals are served therein, regardless of what term the owner or operator uses to describe the establishment."
Additionally, "furnished for pay to transients or travelers” means offering sleeping accommodations by the day.
Hotel Construction or Remodeling
Plan review is required prior to building or remodeling hotels in Tennessee.
Contact your local health department or e-mail us at geh.health@tn.gov before beginning any construction or substantial alteration.
Prior approval of plans protects applicants from expensive changes after construction and installation.
Mass Gatherings
The Department of Health regulates mass gatherings of people in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all persons in this state—residents and visitors alike.
These large events are subject to regulation by the Department of Health if the assemblage consists of a gathering of five thousand (5,000) or more people to be conducted for eighteen (18) or more hours continuously, whether on public or private property.
Planning to Host a Mass Gathering Event?
Complete permit application below or contact the Department at geh.health@tn.gov before selling tickets to the event.
Questions: Email geh.health@tn.gov or call 615-741-7206.
Environmental Health Program Permit Application
Organized Campgrounds
The Department of Health regulates organized camps for the protection of the health and safety of persons using camps or living adjacent to camps. By definition, and "Organized camp" means any area, place, parcel, or tract of land on which facilities are established or maintained to provide an outdoor group-living experience for children or adults, or where one (1) or more permanent or semipermanent structures are established or maintained as living or sleeping quarters for children or adults, and operated for educational, social, recreational, religious instruction or activity, physical education or health, or vacation purposes either gratuitously or for compensation; (B) "Organized camp" is not intended to include a hunting, fishing or other camp privately owned and used exclusively for the personal pleasure of the owner and the owner's guests.
Questions: Contact the Environmental Health Program at geh.health@tn.gov or 615-741-7206.
Public Swimming Pools
“Public swimming pools” means a structure of man-made materials, located either indoors or outdoors, used for bathing or swimming, or for instructional purposes in swimming, diving, or other aquatic activities by humans, together with buildings, appurtenances, and equipment used in connection with the structure. “Public swimming pools” also includes spa-type, wading, special purpose pools or water recreation attractions including, but not limited to, those operated at or in camps, childcare facilities, cities, clubs, subdivisions, apartment buildings, counties, institutions, schools, motels, hotels, and mobile home parks to which admission may be gained with or without payment of a fee.
Planning to Build a Public Swimming Pool?
Before beginning any construction or remodeling of a Public Swimming Pool:
- Plan review is required of new public swimming pools to ensure the pool will meet the minimum construction and installation requirements prior to construction.
- Please contact your local health department or e-mail us at geh.health@tn.gov before beginning any construction or substantial alteration to your pool.
- Prior approval of plans protects applicants from expensive changes after construction and installation.
Important Links & Information
Tattoo Program - Licensing and Inspection Info
The Tennessee Environmental Health Program licenses tattoo artists and permits and inspects tattoo establishments in Tennessee.
What is Required to be Licensed as a Tattoo Artist in Tennessee?
In order to receive a TATTOO ARTIST license, you must:
1) be trained in the profession of tattooing to include sterilization methods in a certified shop for at least one (1) year, under a currently licensed tattoo artist who has been certified and operating in compliance with applicable laws in this state for no less than three (3) years.
2) Out of state tattoo artists must be able to show proof of at least two (2) years' experience as a professional tattoo artist in another state. Business licenses, tax records, etc. may be used to show proof of prior work.
3) Receive a permit application from an EHS in the county where you live and pay the permit fee.
What is Required to be Licensed as a Tattoo Apprentice in Tennessee?
In order to receive a TATTOO APPRENTICE license, you must:
(a) Have a Tattoo Artist who has been licensed in Tennessee for at least three years agree to supervise and train you in tattooing
(b) Operate from an approved, permitted tattoo establishment.
(b) Submit an application with the appropriate fee (Note – the EHS in the County where the Apprentice resides will complete the application once the required forms are submitted.
This FORM must be completed by the Tattoo Artist who will be supervising and training the Apprentice. It must be notarized and submitted to the county health department where the Apprentice resides.
This FORM must be completed by the Apprentice once the minimum one (1) requirement has been met for training under the supervision of an tattoo artist. It must be signed by the apprentice, notarized and submitted to the county health department where the Apprentice resides.
Important Links & Info
Microblading
According to the Tennessee Attorney General Opinion 17-31, Microblading is tattooing.
"Microblading" is a semi-permanent makeup procedure recreates lost eyebrows. Microblading is performed by manually depositing pigment into the skin using of a pen-like instrument, of several fine needles organized in a line. When the instrument is pressed against the skin, the needles penetrate the skin and leave behind pigment.
“An individual may perform microblading only if that person satisfies an exemption foundin Tenn. Code Ann. 5 62-4-109 and is a licensed tattoo artist under Tenn. Code Ann. ç 62-38-204or is exempt from tattooing laws and regulations under Tenn. Code Ann. $ 62-38-210(b).”
Microneedling
"Microneedling" is a skin-rejuvenation procedure that involves the use of a device that contains fine needles, which may be between .25 and 3.0 mm in diameter.
The needles are organized on a cylinder, which is rolled over a person's skin to puncture it and create a controlled skin injury to infuse the skin with preparation materials or collagen.
Microneedling does not fall under the Tattoo Program regulations and therefore the Environmental Health Program does not license or inspect Microneedling practitioners or establishments.
According to the State Attorney General’s Opinion 17-31, microneedling may be performed at medical spas and physicians’ offices or practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) I'm an out of state tattoo artist. What do I need to do to get a Tennessee Tattoo license?
- Out of state tattoo artists must be able to show proof of at least two (2) years' experience as a professional tattoo artist in another state. Business licenses, tax records, etc. may be used to show proof of prior work.
2) I am a licensed Tattoo Artist. Can I perform tattoo removal?
- Per 1200-23-3-.02(5) Tattoo removal by a tattoo artist is prohibited.
- “No person except a duly licensed physician shall remove or attempt to remove any tattoo.”
3) Who is exempt from the Tattoo law and rules?
- (5) Any individual desiring to tattoo who is a physician licensed by the State of Tennessee or any person under the supervision of a physician licensed by the State of Tennessee shall be exempt from the requirements of these regulations. In order to receive such exemption, a person, other than a licensed physician, shall submit a letter stating that any and all tattooing is performed under the supervision of a licensed physician and such letter shall be signed by the supervising physician and shall be notarized.
Pet Rabies Tag Numbers
If you find a pet with a rabies tag you can search for the number range in the table below and contact their veterinarian.
Download a PDF of the Tag Number Ranges
Use the search field to quickly find a contact.
| COUNTY | TAG NUMBER | ISSUED TO | PHONE |
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This Page Last Updated: March 27, 2026 at 1:05 PM