First of all, congratulations on thinking about these things: you're on the right path. So many people don't start thinking of *how* to achieve their goals until they are older than you are. You're really getting a head-start! As for your questions, when you say your options in January, you're talking school right? Not knowing exactly what's available to you, I can say anything in art and design (including drafting, geometry) would probably prove very useful, and you might also consider general employability-type classes like business skills, hospitality services, etc., if your school offers such things. If there's no art/design courses in your school, ask your parents if you can take an extra-curricular one (like through a private institution or community organization or something). There are such things as specialized tattoo schools (like this one http://www.torontotattooschool.ca/), but you're too young for that right now. What you can do in the mean time is find out if there's such a school nearby or anywhere you'd consider going in the future, and if there is one, check out their requirements for entry and work on building those. Plenty of tattoo artists don't go to tattoo school, though. I believe they start out working administrative positions in tattoo parlours (cash, reception), and then apprentice with a tattoo artist, before becoming tattoo artists themselves. They'd also need talent in art and design though. It might be very beneficial for you to go to a number of different tattoo parlours and ask if you could briefly interview someone about how they became tattoo artists and what they'd suggest to you as a 14-year old who wants to be a tattoo artist. Remember time is money so have all your questions written down, don't expect to take more than 15 or 20 minutes, and be prepared to make an appointment to come back at a time convenient for them. I don't know exactly about the hygiene certificate because things like that vary from place to place. It may be issued by a government agency or it may be issued by a college. You may have to take a course and pass a test, or simply pass a test. It may be something that every tattoo artist has to have, or it may be something that only every tattoo parlour has to have. You can try to find out the details by searching your local government website or by going into a tattoo parlour and asking the people there. I wouldn't worry about right now though. It's unlikely you'll be able to work as a tattoo artist for at least 3 years: I'd say you don't have to think about licensing/certification until you're a year away from working. The rules could very well change in that time anyway!