Tanning Facilities

Renewal Information

For a list of renewal dates please see: Renewal Date Page

To Renew:

You will be able to renew your credential approximately 4 weeks prior to your license expiring. You will receive an email to the email address on file with instructions on how to renew.

1. ​Online Log In: Go to LicensE

2. Select "Renew My License"

3. Complete the application

4. Upload any required documents

5. Submit payment

6. See fees list here: Credential Fees

• Be prepared to list all tanning devices and model numbers on the Additional Renewal Requirements page.

• Tanning Facility permits must be renewed annually by June 30 of each year for a $10 renewal fee. Tanning Facility permits renewed after June 30 must pay $35, which includes the $10 renewal fee and a late fee of $25.

There is no continuing education (CE) requirement for this credential.

No person may operate a tanning facility without a permit issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

Wisconsin Statutes require that a warning sign appear in each area where each tanning device is used and that the sign must be readable by the customer. Tanning device operators may copy and use this format in a Warning Sign to meet this statutory requirement. Do not reduce the size of this sign beyond the regular 8 1/2" x 11" size.

WARNING

A. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS provided by operator or for operating the tanning device.

B. AVOID FREQUENT OR TOO LENGTHY EXPOSURE. Like exposure to the sun, use of a tanning device can cause eye and skin injury and allergic reactions. Repeated exposure can cause chronic sun damage which is characterized by wrinkling dryness, fragility, bruising of the skin and skin cancer.

C. WEAR PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR. Failure to use protective eyewear may result in severe burns or long term injury to the eyes.

D. DO NOT SUNBATHE during the 24 hours immediately preceding or immediately following the use of a tanning device. Ultraviolet radiation from tanning devices will aggravate the effects of the sun.

E. MEDICATIONS OR COSMETICS may increase your sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Consult a physician before using tanning devices if you are using medications or have a history of skin problems, or believe yourself especially sensitive to sunlight. Women who are pregnant or using birth control pills and who use a tanning device may develop discolored skin.

F. IF YOU DO NOT TAN IN THE SUN, you are unlikely to tan from the use of this device

1. Does my business need a Tanning Facility permit?

   No person may operate a tanning facility without a permit issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

2. What do I need to tell the DSPS when I already have a permit?

   A permit holder shall notify the DSPS in writing of any changes in information that appear on the permit, such as facility ownership, business status, or address within 30 days after the change.

3. Can I transfer my Tanning Facility permit to another person or facility?

   No permit issued by the DSPS may be transferred from one person to another or from one facility to another.

4. How many Tanning Facility permits/registrations do I need?

   Multiple tanning devices at a single location and under the control of one person may be considered a single registration and only one registration fee is required. If the devices are located at separate addresses, it will be necessary to consider each location as a separate registration. One application form and fee are required for each registration.

5. What should I do for clients with sensitivity to light?

   See U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Medications that Increase Sensitivity to Light.

   This includes over-the-counter supplements that may cause increased sensitivity. It is the operators' responsibility, under the law, to determine whether a client is taking medicine or supplements that may require alteration of the tanning times.

6. How should I dispose of lamps used in tanning beds?

   The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the US EPA require that lamps used in tanning beds, which may contain mercury, are disposed of in an approved manner.

   See resources:

   United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Recycling and Disposal of CFLs and Other Bulbs that Contain Mercury

   Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Recycling Light Bulbs

   Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Lamp and Bulb Management

7. Do I need a Warning Sign?

   Wisconsin Statutes require that a warning sign appear in each area where each tanning device is used and that the sign must be readable by the customer. The copy provided here in a PDF file may be downloaded and printed. Tanning device operators may copy and use this sign to meet this statutory requirement. Do not reduce the size of this sign beyond the regular 8 1/2" x 11" size.

   See Warning Sign accordion.

8. Is there a federal excise tax on certain tanning services?

   There is a 10% federal excise tax on indoor tanning services contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590). See the IRS website for details. Taxes on Form #720 are to be sent to: Department of the Treasury, IRS, Cincinnati, OH 45999-0009.

   See Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Indoor tanning services tax center.

• You can pay all fees associated with your credential by going to LicensE. 

• You will be asked to pay automatically at the end of your application. 

• You can pay with a credit or debit card, or via an automated clearing house or (ACH) payment.  

Please note, using an ACH payment can increase credential processing times by 3-5 business days.

You can view a list of fees for initial credentials and renewing your credential here: 

Credential Fees

The term credential is used universally to mean license, certification, permit, registration, enrollment and authorization.

• Applicants with convictions, who do not already have a credential, may apply for a predetermination. Predetermination is an optional, first step that happens before you would submit an initial credential application while meeting all credentialing requirements (e.g., education, training, examination, etc.)

  • To apply for a predetermination, log into LicensE.

  • If you have not created an account, you will first need to register.

  • After creating your account, log in, and select “Apply for a Pre-Determination.”

  •   Select the type of credential you would like to apply for.

  •   Follow all application instructions and upload all required documents.

• If the Department decides your record would not disqualify you, you can then apply for the actual credential and meet all the typical requirements like education, training, and exams.

• You may skip the predetermination process and submit your initial application for your credential. You must complete all steps to meet the credentialing requirements such as education, training, exams, and disclose your conviction record on your application.  Convictions and pending charges will be reviewed as part of the application process.

• Some applications require review by Department Legal staff.   

• This can be for a number of reasons, including but not limited to disclosure of convictions or pending charges, professional discipline, malpractice, termination, medical condition, supervised experience and application via reciprocity/endorsement.   

• Applications that require legal review will require additional processing time.  

• An application in the status “Legal File Preparation” is with DSPS and under review. 

Support Ticket
Submit a support ticket on LicensE and click "request support." Please provide as much detail as possible regarding your concern so we can work to answer your question with a one touch resolution. 

Call
608-266-2112

Email
dsps@wisconsin.gov

Office Hours
7:45am-4:30pm
Department of Safety and Professional Services
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI, 53705

Note: The in-person office does not process same day.

• LicensE at (license.wi.gov) is a self-guided online system where you can manage your professional credential from start to finish. 

• You will still need to review the requirements for the credential you are applying to. These can be found on the A-Z profession page. 

• With LicensE you can: 

  • Apply for a credential for the first time, with steps guiding you to upload your application documents, and pay all required fees.  

  • Renew an existing credential when it is time, to keep your credential active.  

  • View or download your credential for your records or verification.  

  • Update your personal information, including your phone number, email, and mailing address 

  • Submit support tickets and receive responses to your email from our staff experts.  

  • Allow third parties to review and upload required documents on your behalf 

  • Check the status of someone's credential using the public LicensE look up. 

• If you have never held a credential, you will need to create an account the first time you are on LicensE. 

  • To create an account, visit LicensE. You will then select “register for an individual” if you are applying for a license held by an individual, or “register for an organization” if you are applying for a license held by an organization.  

  • If you are not sure if the license you are applying for is an individual or organization license, please visit our A-Z professions page and review the profession page for more information.  

• When you create an account, please be sure to use an email you will always have access to.  

• For more information on LicensE, please see link to LicensE "How To" Page.