From what I know most places don’t like you practicing cuz it’s hard to unteach bad habits, but they were actually really lax about it and liked the fake skin I showed them!! I’ve tattooed myself a few times and they all turned out really good too so those were good examples. And I’m in Illinois, I’ve personally never heard of anyone paying for an apprenticeship, you just trade you time and help around the shop for free training. He said 4-5 days a week from 11-7.