Oregon Health Licensing Office (HLO)

Why is this office allowed to exist? Let alone have authority over issuing professional licenses. They most definitely have some kind of vendetta against tattoo artist and prevent them from becoming licensed in Oregon at all cost. I am not an attorney, but I am fairly sure they are violating some human rights laws. At best, they are incompetent and lazy. Their staff goes as far as to instruct people to "just go get a license in Washington" to avoid any effort. Why is an Oregon government office sending workforce, revenue, and tax dollars to another state? I have completely qualified and talented artist being denied a license. I have sent letters of recommendation and proof of work but this office either denies getting it or claims they "lost" it. They treat out of state applicants like criminals, subjecting them to interrogation and requesting unnecessary, private information. The staff takes the liberty to create rules and requirements on a whim. They lead people to believe they will be able to easily transfer their license. People move there, get denied their livelihood, and end up not being able to afford housing, food, and basic human needs. In some cases, not having enough money to get back to the state they came from and as a result, become at risk of becoming homeless. We artist have to look out for each other no matter what state we live/practice in. The Oregon tattoo board is need of major reform. If a person has met all the education, safety training, etc, they deserve to be able to get to work. If any artists out there are exploring relocation, please be very careful choosing Oregon.
Nov 17th, 2023

Extremely long hold time to learn how little anyone is interested in helping with any response, other than, "I don't actually deal with that " , when following up on requests for OHL status. All involved parties' phone message states that they "Cannot be reached. " This is a useless waste of taxpayer dollars.
Nov 17th, 2023

I can see by the other negative reviews that I am not alone. I applied for a license several months ago. After a long wait, the Oregon HLO charged my card for one hundred fifty dollars, then preceded to tell me that my application was denied and to "go to work in Washington". Then told me there was no refunds. They literally did nothing and stole money from me. If these folks are the regulators... who is regulating the regulators? I've reported the issue to the governor's office. I know the state has more pressing/urgent isssues, but hopefully they get investigated. Good luck to everyone out there just trying to make a living!
Nov 12th, 2023

Jul 26th, 2023

Good luck contacting these smooth brain people that work here, tried to call these people on multiple weekdays ranging from 12pm-2pm, keeping in mind to check if it's federal holiday or something , and get greeted by a robot saying their office is closed as this time. It's either these people lack the IQ to produce words out of their mouths or are on extended holiday post indefinite.
Jun 25th, 2023