So you’ve decided that you want to pursue a career as a professional tattoo artist. Now what?

Before picking up the tattoo gun, you’ll want to get a tattoo education — either as an apprentice of an experienced tattoo artist or at a tattoo art school that offers formal classes. While most aspiring tattoo artists opt for an apprenticeship, these often don’t give people real, hands-on experience with administering tattoos safely.

As a result, a growing number of tattoo schools have begun to emerge across the country, each claiming to offer the best tattoo education around.

Not sure if the tattoo art school you’ve chosen is the best option for your education? By asking yourself these three questions, you can be sure you’re enrolling in the best tattoo school available:

Does this school follow local regulations?

Depending on the state, county and city regulations in place where you live, you will likely have to follow certain regulations as a tattoo artist. Some localities, for example, require you to be certified in CPR before working as a tattoo artist. Be sure your chosen tattoo school offers all the required courses and certifications you will need to become a professional tattoo artist.

Does this school offer bloodborne pathogen certification?

Everyone knows that tattoo artists administer their artwork with needles — and these needles come into contact with customers’ blood. As a result, all tattoo artists absolutely need to be certified in bloodborne pathogens training. This ensures you will safely give tattoos to your customers, preventing the spread of disease and illness with your tattoo needles.

Does this school guarantee job placement?

Lastly, it’s important to know what comes after your tattoo education. If your tattoo art school offers no job placement services following your program completion, you’ll have a tough time finding a job in today’s competitive tattoo industry. Some schools, however, guarantee a job for each artist who completes their program.

Have any other good tips for choosing the right place to get a tattoo education? Share your knowledge about the best tattoo apprenticeship programs with us and your fellow readers in the comments below.