Northern Kentucky Health Department

Tanning Regulations

Kentucky law requires that the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and local health departments (including the Northern Kentucky Health Department) monitor tanning facilities. The law is designed to protect the public from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause skin cancer, as well as to inform the public about the dangers of tanning.

The new regulation has three parts:

  • Parental consent: All children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when using a tanning bed. Children older than 14 but under age 18 must have written parental consent before using a tanning bed. Tanning salons are required to keep all consent forms on file. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has created a sample consent form that facilities may use.
  • Signs: All tanning salons must post a sign to inform consumers about the dangers of overexposure to tanning beds, the need for protective eyewear, and potential reactions to the UV light from tanning beds. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has created a sample sign that facilities may use.
  • Registration: All tanning salons must register with the local health department, and pay a $20 permit fee each calendar year.

The Health Department will be contacting all tanning salons in Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties to ensure that they comply with the new regulations. If you own a tanning salon and would like to register with the Health Department, please call 859.341.4151 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, or you can submit the following form (note: Adobe Acrobat is required to open this file).

For more information, read the regulations (note: Adobe Acrobat is required to open this file).