Visit tattoo shops in your area. First, determine if they do the kind of work you are interested in by looking at their photo books. Find one that appears clean and where the staff is friendly. Tattoo parlor surfaces must be clean and free of bacteria and dust. There should be clearly marked bio-hazard disposal units for used needles.
Talk to the owner or tattoo artist you will be working with about safe practices. Tattoo shops should have an autoclave, which is a high-heat dishwasher, to sterilize equipment after every tattoo. Safe and licensed tattoo parlor employees will gladly show you their equipment and discuss healthy practices. If someone is reluctant, try a different shop.
Ask to see the shop's up-to-date licenses and certifications. Tattoo shops must have a license from either the state or the county. Some states, like Oklahoma, require that artists have licenses themselves. Tattoo artists that are safe and certified should be more than willing to show their licensing and discuss memberships in professional organizations that signal quality work.
Observe the tattoo artist working on someone's tattoo if possible. Make sure he washes his hands, wears disposable gloves and disinfects the area being tattooed. For each tattoo, the artist must use a new, sterile needle along with separate ink cups to prevent contamination. If these basics of safe tattooing are not followed, find a different shop. If you get tattooed with a used or unsanitary needle, you are susceptible to hepatitis, HIV and tuberculosis transmission, along with other serious problems.
Talk to your friends or people in town that have tattoos about safe, quality tattoo parlors. The more tattoos a person has, the more she may know about good and bad tattoo parlors.