How to become a body piercer?

[Bekah T.]

I live at Yokota Air Base in Japan and I am wanting to become a licensed piercer. I know in the states I would need to get an apprenticeship. But is there another way to go about getting a license? or at least starting the process while I live here?

[Dwight]

Both require apprenticeships with experienced artists. 'Courses' are useless, don't provide anywhere near enough time or knowledge, and just take a lot of your money.

Good apprenticeships don't come up very often (they don't to train thousands of competitors), and every other kid and their dog seems to want one lately. You need to want it a LOT
No offense, but it sounds like you have kind of a passing interest.

Piercing apprenticeships often last around a year, but perhaps going back to learn more, and always bouncing ideas off your mentor.
Tattoo apprenticeships are more like double that. You need more practice and talent, and theres more to learn.
Mentors decide when you're done, depending on how well you progress. But that would be a pretty minimum amount of time for me.
Some are paid, some are unpaid, some you pay for.
But they're generally all very unglamorous. And involve a lot of making tea and appointments and lots and lots of cleaning. It can easily be 6 months before you get to try anything.

Piercing; first aid course and a bood bourne pathogens course are bonuses. You need a steady hand, dedication and good social skills. And look clean.

Tattoos.. all that, and most importantly be able to draw. Not everyone can make a good tattoo artist. But if you haven't got the drawing part down, its never going to happen. A good all round skill is best, though most people have thier own style too. Some tattoo type work, some realism. Watercolours, inks and pencils are usually gonna be the best mediums. Put all your best work (a little bit of everything) in a nice portfolio.

And then just go around and ask GOOD shops. Normally ends up with a lot of 'no's, but keep at it. Most people get apprentices by getting work from their mentor, and making friends with them first.

But its a pretty oversaturated industry at the moment. You have to REALLY want it, and even then it doesn't always happen.
Just make sure you have a back up career