Virginia Law

A. Any firm wishing to operate a tattoo parlor, event tattoo parlor, or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon, including any mobile parlor or salon, must obtain a tattoo parlor license, event tattoo parlor license, or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon license in compliance with § 54.1-704.1 of the Code of Virginia and must meet the following qualifications in order to receive a license:

1. The applicant and all members of the responsible management must be in good standing as a licensed parlor or salon in Virginia and all other jurisdictions where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant and all members of the responsible management must provide a copy of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions to the board at the time of application for licensure. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license.

Upon review of the applicant's and all members of the responsible management's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant that the board deems unfit or unsuited to engage in the operation of a tattoo parlor, event tattoo parlor, or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon.

2. The applicant must disclose the applicant's physical address and email address. A post office box may be provided as a secondary address. Mobile parlors and salons must provide a physical address where the parlor or salon is permanently garaged.

3. The applicant must 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 must disclose all felony convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions for the firm and all members of the firm's responsible management within 10 years of the date of application.

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 must disclose the firm's responsible management.

B. Tattoo parlor licenses, event tattoo parlor licenses, or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon licenses are issued to firms as defined in this chapter and are not transferable. Any changes in the name or address of the parlor or salon must be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of such changes. The board will not be responsible for the licensee's failure to receive notices, communications, and correspondence caused by the licensee's failure to promptly notify the board in writing of any change of name or address or for any other reason beyond the control of the board.

C. Whenever the legal business entity holding the license is dissolved or altered to form a new business entity, the original license becomes void. The firm must notify the board, apply for a new license within 30 days of the change in the business entity, and destroy the license. Such changes include:

1. Death of a sole proprietor;

2. Death or withdrawal of a general partner in a general partnership or the managing partner in a limited partnership; and

3. Conversion, formation, or dissolution of a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, or any other business entity recognized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

D. Any change in the officers of a corporation, managers of a limited liability company, or officers or directors of an association must be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of the change.

E. Any tattoo parlor or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon wishing to host a guest tattooer must identify itself as the guest tattooer sponsor and must provide direct supervision of any tattooing by the guest tattooer.

F. Any firm wishing to operate a tattoo parlor in a temporary location must have a tattoo parlor license or event tattoo parlor license issued by the board.

G. An event tattoo parlor license is effective for seven consecutive days prior to the expiration date. Any firm wishing to operate an event tattoo parlor must submit an application to the board at least 45 days prior to the date for which approval is sought.

H. A firm may obtain a maximum of five event tattoo parlor licenses within a calendar year.

I. The board or any of its agents must be allowed to inspect during reasonable hours any licensed parlor and salon for compliance with provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or this chapter.