Part II. Entry
18VAC41-50-20. General requirements for tattooer, limited term tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer.
A. In order to receive a license as a tattooer, limited term tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer in compliance with § 54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia, an applicant must meet the following qualifications:
1. The applicant must be in good standing as a tattooer, limited term tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer in every jurisdiction where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant shall disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure any disciplinary action taken in another jurisdiction in connection with the applicant's practice as a tattooer, limited term tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer. The applicant shall disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure whether he has been previously licensed in Virginia as a tattooer, limited term tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer.
2. The applicant shall disclose the applicant's physical address. A post office box is not acceptable.
3. The applicant shall sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia tattooing license laws and the board's tattooing regulations.
4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, the applicant must not have been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony or non-marijuana misdemeanor that directly relates to the profession of tattooing. The board shall have the authority to determine, based upon all the information available, including the applicant's record of prior convictions, if the applicant is unfit or unsuited to engage in the profession of tattooing. The board will decide each case by taking into account the totality of the circumstances. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purposes of this section. The applicant shall provide a certified copy of a final order, decree or case decision by a court or regulatory agency with the lawful authority to issue such order, decree or case decision, and such copy shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction. This record shall be forwarded by the applicant to the board within 10 days after all appeal rights have expired.
5. The applicant shall provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has passed the board approved examination, administered either by the board or by a designated testing service.
6. Persons who (i) make application for licensure between October 1, 2006, and September 30, 2007; (ii) have completed three years of documented work experience within the preceding five years as a tattooer; and (iii) have completed a minimum of five hours of health education to include but not limited to bloodborne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to tattooing and first aid and CPR that is acceptable to the board are not required to complete subdivision 5 of this subsection.
B. Eligibility to sit for board-approved examination.
1. Training in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
a. Any person completing an approved tattooing apprenticeship program in a Virginia licensed tattoo parlor or completing an approved tattooing training program in a Virginia licensed school of tattooing, or completing a permanent cosmetic tattooing training program in a Virginia licensed permanent cosmetic tattooing school shall be eligible to sit for the applicable examination.
b. Any person completing master permanent cosmetic training that is acceptable to the board shall be eligible to sit for the examination. Training should be conducted in a permanent facility.
2. Training outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia, but within the United States and its territories.
a. Any person completing a tattooing or permanent cosmetic tattooing training or tattooing apprenticeship program that is substantially equivalent to the Virginia program but is outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia must submit to the board documentation of the successful completion of training or apprenticeship to be eligible for examination. If less than required hours of tattooing or permanent cosmetic tattooing training or tattooing apprenticeship was completed, an applicant must submit (i) documentation acceptable to the board verifying the completion of a substantially equivalent tattooing training or tattooing apprenticeship or permanent cosmetic tattooing training or documentation of three years of work experience within the preceding five years as a tattooer, and (ii) documentation of completion of a minimum of five hours of health education to include but not limited to blood-borne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to tattooing and first aid and CPR that is acceptable to the board in order to be eligible for examination.
b. Any person completing master permanent cosmetic training that is acceptable to the board shall be eligible to sit for the examination. Training should be conducted in a permanent facility.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 38, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2021.
18VAC41-50-30. License by endorsement.
Upon proper application to the board, any person currently licensed to practice as a tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer in any other state or jurisdiction of the United States and who has completed a training or apprenticeship program and an examination that is substantially equivalent to that required by this chapter may be issued a tattooer license, permanent cosmetic tattooer license, or master permanent cosmetic tattooer license without an examination. The applicant must also meet the requirements set forth in 18VAC41-50-20 A 1 through A 4.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.
18VAC41-50-40. Examination requirements and fees.
A. Applicants for initial licensure shall pass an examination approved by the board. The examinations may be administered by the board or by a designated testing service.
B. Any candidate failing to appear as scheduled for examination shall forfeit the examination fee.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.
18VAC41-50-50. Reexamination requirements.
Any applicant who does not pass a reexamination within one year of the initial examination date shall be required to submit a new application and examination fee.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.
18VAC41-50-60. Examination administration.
A. The examinations may be administered by the board or the designated testing service.
B. The applicant shall follow all procedures established by the board with regard to conduct at the examination. Such procedures shall include any written instructions communicated prior to the examination date and any instructions communicated at the site, either written or oral, on the date of the examination. Failure to comply with all procedures established by the board and the testing service with regard to conduct at the examination may be grounds for denial of application.
C. The fee for examination or reexamination is subject to contracted charges to the board by an outside vendor. These contracts are competitively negotiated and bargained for in compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). Fees may be adjusted and charged to the candidate in accordance with these contracts. The fee shall not exceed $225 per candidate.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.
18VAC41-50-70. General requirements for a tattooing apprenticeship sponsor.
A. Upon filing an application with the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, any person meeting the qualifications set forth in this section may be eligible to sponsor a tattooing apprentice if the person:
1. Holds a current Virginia tattooer license;
2. Provides documentation of legally practicing tattooing for at least five years; and
3. Provides documentation indicating that he is in good standing in all jurisdictions where the practice of tattooing is regulated.
B. Apprenticeship sponsors shall be required to maintain a tattooer license.
C. Apprenticeship sponsors shall ensure compliance with the 1500 hour tattooing apprenticeship program and tattooing apprenticeship standards.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.
18VAC41-50-80. Tattoo parlor, limited term tattoo parlor, or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon license.
A. Any individual wishing to operate a tattoo parlor, limited term tattoo parlor, or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon shall obtain a tattoo parlor license, limited term tattoo parlor license, or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon license in compliance with § 54.1-704.1 of the Code of Virginia.
B. A tattoo parlor license, limited term tattoo parlor license, or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon license shall not be transferable and shall bear the same name and address of the business. Any changes in the name, address, or ownership of the parlor or salon shall be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of such changes. New owners shall be responsible for reporting such changes in writing to the board within 30 days of the changes.
C. In the event of a closing of a tattoo parlor or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon, the board must be notified by the owners in writing within 30 days of the closing, and the license must be returned by the owners to the board.
D. Any individual wishing to operate a tattoo parlor in a temporary location must have a tattoo parlor license or limited term tattoo parlor license issued by the board.
E. A limited term tattoo parlor license is effective for five consecutive days prior to the expiration date.
F. A person or entity may obtain a maximum of five limited term tattoo parlor licenses within a calendar year.
G. A person or entity may obtain a maximum of two limited term tattoo parlor licenses within a 30 consecutive days time period.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.
18VAC41-50-90. Limited term tattooer license.
A. A limited term tattooer license is effective for five consecutive days prior to the expiration date.
B. A person may obtain a maximum of five limited term tattooer licenses within a calendar year.
C. A person may obtain a maximum of two limited term tattooer licenses within a 30 consecutive days time period.
D. A limited term tattooer applicant must meet the following qualifications:
1. Requirements set forth in 18VAC41-50-20 A 1 through A 4.
2. Documentation of health education knowledge to include but not limited to blood-borne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to tattooing, and first aid and CPR that is acceptable to the board.
E. A limited term tattooer applicant is not required to complete 18VAC41-50-20 A 5.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.
18VAC41-50-100. School license.
A. Any individual wishing to operate a tattooing school or permanent cosmetic tattooing school shall obtain a school license in compliance with § 54.1-704.2 of the Code of Virginia.
B. A tattooing school license or permanent cosmetic tattooing school license shall not be transferable and shall bear the same name and address as the school. Any changes in the name or address of the school shall be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of such change. The name of the school must indicate that it is an educational institution. All signs or other advertisements must reflect the name as indicated on the license issued by the board and contain language indicating it is an educational institution.
C. In the event of a change of ownership of a school, the new owners shall be responsible for reporting such changes in writing to the board within 30 days of the changes.
D. In the event of a school closing, the board must be notified by the owners in writing within 30 days of the closing, and the license must be returned.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.
18VAC41-50-110. Tattooing instructor certificate.
A. Upon filing an application with the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, any person meeting the qualifications set forth in this section shall be eligible for a tattooing instructor certificate if the person:
1. Holds a current Virginia tattooer license; and
2. Provides documentation of three years of work experience within the past five years.
B. Tattooing instructors shall be required to maintain a tattooer license.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.
18VAC41-50-120. Permanent cosmetic tattooing instructor certificate.
A. Upon filing an application with the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, any person meeting the qualifications set forth in this section shall be eligible for a permanent cosmetic tattooing instructor certificate if the person:
1. Holds a current Virginia permanent cosmetic tattooer license or master permanent cosmetic tattooer license; and
2. Provides documentation of three years of work experience within the past five years.
B. Permanent cosmetic tattooing instructors shall be required to maintain a permanent cosmetic tattooer license or master permanent cosmetic tattooer license.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.