Virginia Law

A. All body piercers and body piercers ear only shall provide to the responsible management 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 offer of a full series of Hepatitis B vaccine.

B. All body piercers and body piercers ear only shall wear clean outer garments, maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness, and conform to hygienic practices while on duty.

C. All body piercers and body piercers ear only shall clean their hands thoroughly using hot or tempered water with a liquid germicidal soap or use sanitizing solution to clean hands before and after body piercing and as necessary to remove contaminants.

D. All body piercers and body piercers ear only must wear single-use examination gloves while assembling instruments and another pair of single-use examination gloves while providing piercing services.

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

1. Gloves shall be removed and disposed of; and

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

F. Body piercers and body piercers ear only shall use standard precautions while providing piercing services. A body piercer or body piercer ear only diagnosed with a communicable disease shall provide to the Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation a written statement from a health care practitioner that the body piercer's condition no longer poses a threat to public health.

G. Body piercers and body piercers ear only 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 pierced shall be cleaned with an approved germicidal soap or antiseptic product according to label directions.

I. The external skin of the client to be pierced shall be cleaned with an approved germicidal soap or antiseptic product according to the label directions. In the case of oral piercings, the operator shall provide the individual with antiseptic mouthwash in a single-use cup and shall ensure that the individual utilizes the mouthwash provided. In the case of a lip, labret, or cheek piercing, procedures described in this subsection for both skin and oral piercings shall be followed.

J. If shaving is required, razors shall be single-use and disposed of in a puncture-resistant container.

K. Each body piercer or body piercer ear only performing any piercing procedures in the salon shall have the education, training and experience, or any combination thereof, to practice aseptic technique and prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. All procedures shall be performed using aseptic technique.

L. An individual, single-use, pre-sterilized piercing needle shall be used for each client. Single-use disposable instruments shall be disposed of in a puncture-resistant container.

M. Used, nondisposable instruments shall be kept in a separate, puncture-resistant container until brush scrubbed in hot water soap and then sterilized by autoclaving. Contaminated instruments shall be handled with disposable gloves.

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

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

P. The ultrasonic unit shall be sanitized daily with a germicidal solution.

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

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

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

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

U. The manufacturer's written instruction of the autoclave shall be followed.