Tattoo appenticeship

Hello guys, Forgive me if I missed a major thread about this ive searched quite a bit.. No luck on any major information so here this goes.. I have my own equipment, about 14 tattoo machines 4 power supplies Tons of grips ect. I have atleast 4 of every equipment possible an own star brite/ Moms tattoo ink. I buy great quality items only an on my way to an ultra sonic cleaner, I do not own a auto clave though, I use only disposable items an machine covers gloves ect. I try my best to be sterile without one.I have only tattooed myself not others, Im able to show work if needed but not capable off hand. My work is probably considered fairly good as it rivals a few shops in my town, I practiced alot on melons and practice skins before I considered it on myself Anyways I'm asking advice on apprentice ships. Im sure they vary in locations but the average jist is what im after. I've been preparing my port folio aswell. Do most shops cost 3-7 grand? Is the option of free labor usually accepted in most places with contracts? Does it take 1-3 years? What exactly is the practioners license? How do you register at your local health department? Im fine with being a broom dog at a shop because It'll pay off in the long run Im just searching for answers. Thanks

a shop will care about what you can do on paper and canvas, and the fact that you are jumping the gun and wasting money on equipment will be a deterrent.If you want an apprenticeship you should be working on inproving your artwork and getting tattooed by very talented artists, not hacking yourself up unsupervised. Lets see your artwork, maybe we can give some pointers.

Apprenticeships I have heard can cost up to 10,000 in some places- and I have also heard that it has become a normal practice for tattoo shop owners to charge money for their time and lessons. That being said, I would approach an apprenticeship with a well put together portfolio ( you would be suprised how many don't have one) and thick skin because it can be pretty brutal when it comes to critique. My personal experience as an apprentice is limited as I had already friends in the industry who would show me things and it was a slow process for learning as I also worked full time, but I never once was asked for money to pay them or had to clean their shop, toliets etc because we had a mutual respect for one another. There are shops out there that will teach you the proper way of doing things without degrading you or making you a 'broom monkey" as cleaning is everyones job not just one persons (again my opinion) I guess if I had to pay someone to teach me I would expect a reasonable education in tattooing which would include understanding machines, power supplies, inks etc and if it was a free education I would expect the owner to require loyality from me and teach me on a casual way with some flexiblity. again this is only my opinion. I have had several apprentices personally and can tell you that I never ask them for money to teach them- but out of the few I have had only one has shown true interest and has stayed. I have my methods of weeding out wannabes...but I also believe that is it our job as professional artists to treat those who want to learn with intergrity and dignity as well.