Virginia Law

A. Any person desiring to enroll in the tattooing school shall be required to provide documentation of satisfactory completion of a minimum of five hours of health education to include (i) bloodborne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to tattooing; (ii) first aid; and (iii) CPR.

B. Tattooing school curriculum requirements are as follows:

1. Microbiology.

a. Microorganisms, viruses, bacteria, fungus;

b. Transmission cycle of infectious diseases; and

c. Characteristics of antimicrobial agents.

2. Immunization.

a. Types of immunizations;

b. Hepatitis A through G transmission and immunization;

c. HIV/AIDS;

d. Tetanus, streptococcal, zoonotic, tuberculosis, pneumococcal, and influenza;

e. Measles, mumps, and rubella;

f. Vaccines and immunization; and

g. General preventative measures to be taken to protect the tattooer and client.

3. Sanitation and disinfection.

a. Definition of terms:

(1) Sterilization;

(2) Disinfection and disinfectant;

(3) Sterilizer or sterilant;

(4) Antiseptic;

(5) Germicide;

(6) Decontamination; and

(7) Sanitation.

b. The use of steam sterilization equipment and techniques;

c. The use of chemical agents, antiseptics, disinfectants, and fumigants;

d. The use of sanitation equipment;

e. Preservice sanitation procedure; and

f. Postservice sanitation procedure.

4. Safety.

a. Proper needle handling and disposal;

b. How to avoid overexposure to chemicals;

c. The use of Material Safety Data Sheets;

d. Blood spill procedures;

e. Equipment and instrument storage; and

f. First aid and CPR.

5. Bloodborne pathogen standards.

a. OSHA and CDC bloodborne pathogen standards;

b. Control plan for bloodborne pathogens;

c. Exposure control plan for tattooers;

d. Overview of compliance requirements; and

e. Disorders and when not to service a client.

6. Professional standards.

a. History of tattooing;

b. Ethics;

c. Recordkeeping:

(1) Client health history;

(2) Consent forms; and

(3) HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Privacy Rule) Standards;

d. Preparing station, making appointments, parlor ethics:

(1) Maintaining professional appearance, notifying clients of schedule changes; and

(2) Promoting services of the parlor and establishing clientele;

e. Parlor management.

(1) Licensing requirements; and

(2) Taxes; and

f. Supplies.

(1) Usages;

(2) Ordering; and

(3) Storage.

7. Tattooing.

a. Client consultation;

b. Client health form;

c. Client disclosure form;

d. Client preparation;

e. Sanitation and safety precautions;

f. Implement selection and use;

g. Proper use of equipment;

h. Material selection and use;

i. Needles:

(1) Groupings;

(2) Properties; and

(3) Making;

j. Ink;

k. Machine:

(1) Construction;

(2) Adjustment; and

(3) Power supply;

l. Art, drawing; and

m. Portfolio.

8. Anatomy.

a. Understanding of skin; and

b. Parts and functions of skin.

9. Virginia tattooing laws and regulations.

C. A licensed tattoo school may conduct an assessment of a student's competence in the respective profession and, based on the assessment, give credit toward the hours requirements specified in this section and 18VAC41-50-290.

The school shall make the assessment based on a review of the student's transcript and the successful completion of a board-approved competency examination administered by the school. The school may also request a copy of a catalog or bulletin giving the full course description when making the evaluation. The number of credit hours awarded shall not exceed the actual hours of instruction verified on the transcript or the number of hours specified in the board-approved curriculum for a specific topic. Credit may only be given for in-person training.