Virginia Law

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

C. All body-piercers, ear-piercers, and ear-piercers earlobe only 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 body-piercing and as necessary to remove contaminants.

D. All body-piercers, ear-piercers, and ear-piercers earlobe 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, ear-piercers, and ear-piercers earlobe only must use standard precautions while providing piercing services. A body-piercer, ear-piercer, or ear-piercer earlobe only 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 body-piercer's, ear-piercer's, or ear-piercer's earlobe only condition no longer poses a threat to public health.

G. Body-piercers, ear-piercers, and ear-piercers earlobe 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 must be cleaned with an approved germicidal soap or antiseptic product according to label directions.

I. The external skin of the client to be pierced must be cleaned with an approved germicidal soap or antiseptic product according to the label directions. In the case of oral piercings, the operator must provide the individual with antiseptic mouthwash in a single-use cup and must 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 must be followed.

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

K. Each body-piercer, ear-piercer, or ear-piercer earlobe only performing any piercing procedures in the 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. An individual, single-use, pre-sterilized piercing needle must be used for each client. Single-use disposable instruments must 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 must 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 must be kept in a germicidal or soap solution until brush scrubbed in hot water and soap and sterilized by autoclaving.

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

Q. Nondisposable instruments must be sterilized and must 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.

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

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

T. Contaminated disposable and single-use items must 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.