Virginia Law

A. In order to receive a license as a tattooer, limited term tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer in compliance with § 54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia, an applicant must meet the following qualifications:

1. The applicant must be in good standing as a tattooer, limited term 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 another jurisdiction in connection with the applicant's practice as a tattooer, limited term tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer. The applicant shall disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure whether he has been previously licensed in Virginia as a tattooer, limited term tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer.

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 the board's tattooing regulations.

4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, the applicant must not have been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony or non-marijuana misdemeanor that directly relates to the profession of tattooing. The board shall have the authority to determine, based upon all the information available, including the applicant's record of prior convictions, if the applicant is unfit or unsuited to engage in the profession of tattooing. The board will decide each case by taking into account the totality of the circumstances. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purposes of this section. The applicant shall provide a certified copy of a final order, decree or case decision by a court or regulatory agency with the lawful authority to issue such order, decree or case decision, and such copy shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction. This record shall be forwarded by the applicant to the board within 10 days after all appeal rights have expired.

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.

6. Persons who (i) make application for licensure between October 1, 2006, and September 30, 2007; (ii) have completed three years of documented work experience within the preceding five years as a tattooer; and (iii) have completed a minimum of five hours of health education to include but not limited to bloodborne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to tattooing and first aid and CPR that is acceptable to the board are not required to complete subdivision 5 of this subsection.

B. Eligibility to sit for board-approved examination.

1. Training in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

a. 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 school of tattooing, or completing a permanent cosmetic tattooing training program in a Virginia licensed permanent cosmetic tattooing school shall be eligible to sit for the applicable examination.

b. Any person completing master permanent cosmetic training that is acceptable to the board shall be eligible to sit for the examination. Training should be conducted in a permanent facility.

2. Training outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia, but within the United States and its territories.

a. Any person completing a tattooing or permanent cosmetic tattooing training or tattooing apprenticeship program 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 required hours of tattooing or permanent cosmetic tattooing training or tattooing apprenticeship was completed, an applicant must submit (i) documentation acceptable to the board verifying the completion of a substantially equivalent tattooing training or tattooing apprenticeship or permanent cosmetic tattooing training 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 but not limited to blood-borne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to tattooing and first aid and CPR that is acceptable to the board in order to be eligible for examination.

b. Any person completing master permanent cosmetic training that is acceptable to the board shall be eligible to sit for the examination. Training should be conducted in a permanent facility.