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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 18. Professional And Occupational Licensing
Agency 41. Board For Barbers And Cosmetology
Chapter 50. Tattooing Regulations
1/14/2026

18VAC41-50-110. General requirements for a tattooing, permanent cosmetic tattooing, or master permanent cosmetic tattooing instructor certificate.

A. Any individual wishing to engage in tattoo, permanent cosmetic tattoo, or master permanent cosmetic tattoo instruction must meet the following qualifications:

1. The applicant must be in good standing as a licensed tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, master permanent cosmetic tattooer, or instructor, respectively, in every jurisdiction where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant must provide a copy of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions to the board at the time of application for certification since being previously licensed as a tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license or certification in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license or certification.

Upon review of the applicant's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny certification to any applicant whom the board deems unfit or unsuited to engage in the instruction of tattooing, permanent cosmetic tattooing, or master permanent cosmetic tattooing.

2. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose all felony convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions since being previously licensed as a tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer within 10 years of the date of application.

The board, in its discretion, may deny certification to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

3. The applicant must hold and maintain a current Virginia tattooer license, permanent cosmetic tattooer license, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer license in the respective profession.

4. The applicant must provide documentation of legally tattooing, permanent cosmetic tattooing, or master permanent cosmetic tattooing for at least three years in Virginia or any other state or jurisdiction of the United States; and

5. The applicant must complete one of the following qualifications:

a. Pass a course on teaching techniques in a post-secondary education level; or

b. Train , as a licensed temporary student instructor, under a tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer instructor in the respective profession for 12 months.

B. Certified instructors may teach in any profession in which they hold the underlying license.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023; Volume 42, Issue 11, eff. January 5, 2026.

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