Virginia Law

A. All tattooers must provide to the responsible management with one of the following:

1. Proof of completion of the full series of Hepatitis B vaccine;

2. Proof of immunity by blood titer; or

3. Written declaration of refusal of the responsible management's offer of a full series of Hepatitis B vaccine.

B. All tattooers must wear clean outer garments, maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness, and conform to hygienic practices while on duty.

C. All tattooers must clean their hands thoroughly using hot or tempered water with a liquid germicidal soap or use sanitizing solution to clean hands before and after tattooing and as necessary to remove contaminants.

D. All tattooers must wear single-use examination gloves while assembling tattooing instruments and while tattooing.

E. Each time there is an interruption in the service, the gloves become torn or perforated, or whenever the ability of the gloves to function as a barrier is compromised:

1. Gloves must be removed and disposed of; and

2. Hands must be cleaned and a fresh pair of gloves used.

F. Tattooers must use standard precautions while tattooing. A tattooer diagnosed with a communicable disease must provide to the Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation a written statement from a health care practitioner that the tattooer's condition no longer poses a threat to public health.

G. Tattooers with draining lesions on their hands or face will not be permitted to work until cleared by a health care professional.

H. The area of the client's skin to be tattooed must be cleaned with an approved germicidal soap according to label directions.

I. Tattooing pigments must be placed in a single-use disposable container for each client. Following the procedure, the unused contents and container will be properly disposed of.

J. If shaving is required, razors must be single-use. After use, razors must be recapped and properly disposed of.

K. Each tattooer performing any tattooing procedures in the parlor or salon must have the education, training, and experience, or any combination thereof to practice aseptic technique and prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. All procedures must be performed using aseptic technique.

L. Multiuse instruments, equipment, furniture, and surfaces that may be contaminated during the tattooing process must be covered or wrapped in a nonporous disposable barrier. This barrier must be removed and disposed of after each service.

M. After the disposable barrier is removed, covered items must be wiped down with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registered disinfectant that is bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal.

N. A set of individual, sterilized needles must be used for each client. Single-use disposable instruments shall be disposed of in a puncture-resistant container.

O. Used, nondisposable instruments, such as stainless steel tubes, tips, and grips, must be kept in a separate, puncture-resistant container until brush scrubbed in hot water soap and then sterilized by autoclaving. Contaminated instruments must be handled with disposable gloves.

P. Used nondisposable instruments that are ultrasonically cleaned must be rinsed under running hot water prior to being placed in the used instrument container.

Q. Used nondisposable instruments that are not ultrasonically cleaned prior to being placed in the used instrument container must be kept in a germicidal or soap solution until brush scrubbed in hot water and soap and sterilized by autoclaving.

R. The ultrasonic unit must be sanitized daily with a germicidal solution.

S. Nondisposable instruments must be sterilized and shall be handled and stored in a manner to prevent contamination. Instruments to be sterilized must be sealed in bags made specifically for the purpose of autoclave sterilization and must include the date of sterilization. If nontransparent bags are utilized, the bag must also list the contents.

T. Autoclave sterilization bags with a color code indicator that changes color upon proper sterilization must be utilized during the autoclave sterilization process.

U. Nondisposable instruments must be placed in the autoclave in a manner to allow live steam to circulate around them.

V. A sealed, puncture-proof dirty tube receptacle with cool, liquid sterilant must be maintained in the biohazard or cleanup room.

W. Sharps containers must be located within reach of the tattooing area.

X. Contaminated disposable and single-use items must be disposed of in accordance with federal and state regulations regarding disposal of biological hazardous materials.

Y. The manufacturer's written instructions of the autoclave must be followed.