Virginia Law

A. Any individual wishing to engage in tattooing, guest tattooing, permanent cosmetic tattooing, or master permanent cosmetic tattooing shall obtain a license in compliance with § 54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia and meet the following qualifications:

1. The applicant must be in good standing as a tattooer, guest tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer in every jurisdiction where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant shall disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure any disciplinary action taken in Virginia or any other jurisdiction in connection with the applicant's practice as a tattooer, guest tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer. This disclosure includes monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license. The applicant shall disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure if the applicant has been previously licensed in Virginia as a tattooer, guest tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer.

Upon review of the applicant's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant wherein the board deems the applicant is unfit or unsuited to engage in tattooing, guest tattooing, permanent cosmetic tattooing, or master permanent cosmetic tattooing. The board will decide each case by taking into account the totality of the circumstances. Any plea of nolo contendere or comparable plea shall be considered a disciplinary action for the purposes of this subdivision. The applicant shall provide a certified copy of a final order, decree, or case decision by a court, regulatory agency, or board with the lawful authority to issue such order, decree, or case decision, and such copy shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such disciplinary action.

2. The applicant shall disclose the applicant's physical address. A post office box is not acceptable.

3. The applicant shall sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia tattooing license laws and this chapter.

4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant shall disclose the following information regarding criminal convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions:

a. All misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, or physical injury within two years of the date of the application; and

b. All felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application.

Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision. The record of a conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

5. The applicant shall provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has passed the board approved examination, administered either by the board or by a designated testing service.

B. Eligibility to sit for board-approved examination.

1. Training in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Any person completing an approved tattooing apprenticeship program in a Virginia licensed tattoo parlor or completing an approved tattooing training program in a Virginia licensed tattoo school or completing a permanent cosmetic tattooing or master permanent cosmetic tattooing training program in a Virginia licensed permanent cosmetic tattooing school shall be eligible to sit for the applicable examination.

2. Training outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia but within the United States or jurisdiction of the United States. Any person completing a tattooing, permanent cosmetic tattooing, master permanent cosmetic tattooing training program, or tattooing apprenticeship that is substantially equivalent to the Virginia program but is outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia must submit to the board documentation of the successful completion of training or apprenticeship to be eligible for examination. If less than the required hours were completed, an applicant must submit (i) documentation acceptable to the board verifying the completion of a substantially equivalent tattooing training, tattooing apprenticeship, permanent cosmetic tattooing training, or master permanent cosmetic tattooing or documentation of three years of work experience within the preceding five years as a tattooer and (ii) documentation of completion of a minimum of five hours of health education to include (a) bloodborne pathogens, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to tattooing; (b) first aid; and (c) CPR that is acceptable to the board in order to be eligible for examination.