Virginia Law

Part VI. Tattooing and Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing Schools

18VAC41-50-220. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 11, eff. January 5, 2026.

18VAC41-50-230. General requirements.

A. A tattooing and permanent cosmetic tattooing school must:

1. Hold a tattooing or permanent cosmetic tattooing school license for each and every location. Any suites or classrooms that are located in a different building or are further than 500 feet from the main office are considered a separate location and require the school hold an additional license.

2. Hold a parlor or salon license if the school receives compensation for services provided in its clinic.

3. Employ, and ensure all training is conducted under the direct supervision of, licensed and certified tattooing, permanent cosmetic tattooing, or master permanent cosmetic tattooing instructors, respectively. A list of all certified instructors must be provided with the application for licensure.

a. Licensed and certified tattoo instructors may also instruct permanent cosmetic tattooing and master permanent cosmetic tattooing programs.

b. Licensed and certified master permanent cosmetic instructors may also instruct permanent cosmetic tattooing programs.

c. Any change in instructors must be reported to the board within 30 days of the change.

4. Develop individuals for entry-level competency in tattooing, permanent cosmetic tattooing, or master permanent cosmetic tattooing.

5. Submit its curricula for board approval. All changes to curricula must be resubmitted and approved by the board.

a. Tattoo curricula must be based on a minimum of 1,000 clock or equivalent credit hours and must include performances in accordance with 18VAC41-50-290 A.

b. Permanent cosmetic tattoo curricula must be based on a minimum of 200 clock or equivalent credit hours and must include performances in accordance with 18VAC41-50-290 C.

c. Master permanent cosmetic tattoo curricula must be based on a minimum of 200 clock or equivalent credit hours and must include performances in accordance with 18VAC41-50-290 D.

6. Inform the public that all services are performed by students if the tattooing or permanent cosmetic tattooing school receives compensation for services provided in its clinic by posting a notice in the reception area of the parlor or salon in plain view of the public.

7. Conduct classroom instruction in an area separate from the area where practical instruction is conducted and services are provided. A sketch of the school floor plan must be included in the application for licensure.

B. The theory portions of the curriculum may be offered online. Practical instruction must be obtained in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom setting. Theory and practical training must be conducted in the same building, unless the school has board approval to offer the theory training online. Schools must utilize technologies and practices that are effective in verifying the identity of distance-learning students who participate in class or coursework (e.g., a secure login and passcode) while protecting student privacy. Educational technologies must be capable of monitoring a student's time and activities. The school must utilize a measure of competency (e.g., an examination) of the information the student is taught online, which must be completed in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom.

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 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023; Volume 42, Issue 11, eff. January 5, 2026.

18VAC41-50-240. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023.

18VAC41-50-250. Records.

A. Schools must maintain on the premises of each school and available for inspection by the board or any of its agents the following records for the period of a student's enrollment through five years after the student's completion of the curriculum, termination, or withdrawal:

1. Enrollment application containing the student's signature and a two-inch-by-two-inch color head and shoulders photograph;

2. Daily record of attendance containing the student's signature;

3. Student clock hours containing the student's signature and method of calculation;

4. Practical performance completion sheets containing the student's signature;

5. Final transcript;

6. Course descriptions; and

7. All other relevant documents that account for a student's accrued clock hours and practical applications.

B. Schools must produce to the board or any of its agents within 10 days of the request any document, book, or record concerning any student or for which the licensee is required to maintain records for inspection and copying by the board or its agents. The board may extend such timeframe upon a showing of extenuating circumstances prohibiting delivery within such 10-day period.

C. Schools must, within 21 days upon receipt of a written request from a student, provide documentation of hours and performances completed by the student as required to be maintained by subsection A of this section.

D. Prior to a school changing ownership or a school closing, the schools are required to provide to current students documentation of hours and performances completed.

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 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023; Volume 42, Issue 11, eff. January 5, 2026.

18VAC41-50-255. Reporting.

A. Each school must provide student rosters to the board quarterly, no later than January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15 of every year.

1. Each school must provide a roster of all enrolled students and a roster of students who attended in the six months prior to the reporting deadline.

2. Students who are enrolled but have not begun classes must be included in the report.

B. Rosters must be submitted via a secure link provided by the board on the board-supplied document, which will include the student's full name, date of birth, program type, date enrolled, the total number of hours to-date, and the date completed, terminated, or withdrawn.

C. Schools with no students enrolled, but the intention of operating, must submit a report to that effect.

D. Schools with no students enrolled that no longer wish to operate should terminate licensure in accordance with board regulations.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 11, eff. January 5, 2026.

18VAC41-50-260. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023.

18VAC41-50-270. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023.

18VAC41-50-280. Tattooing and permanent cosmetic tattooing school curriculum requirements.

A. Any person desiring to enroll in a tattooing or permanent cosmetic tattooing school will be required to provide documentation of satisfactory completion of board-approved health education to include (i) bloodborne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to tattooing and (ii) first aid.

B. Each tattoo or permanent cosmetic tattoo school must submit with its application a curriculum, including a course syllabus, a detailed course content outline, a copy of any course text, a sample of five lesson plans, a sample of evaluation methods to be used, days and hours of instruction, program length, a sample of a final transcript, a breakdown of hours and performances for all courses to be taught that will lead to licensure , and a sample test of at least 25 questions that will be administered to students, including answer key.

C. The outline for tattooing must include the following:

1. Microbiology - minimum of 100 hours of instruction.

a. Microorganisms, viruses, bacteria, fungus;

b. Transmission cycle of infectious diseases; and

c. Characteristics of antimicrobial agents.

2. Immunization - minimum of 50 hours of instruction.

a. Types of immunizations;

b. Hepatitis A through G transmission and immunization;

c. HIV/AIDS;

d. Tetanus, streptococcal, zoonotic, tuberculosis, pneumococcal, and influenza;

e. Measles, mumps, and rubella;

f. Vaccines and immunization; and

g. General preventative measures to be taken to protect the tattooer and client.

3. Sanitation and disinfection - minimum of 150 hours of instruction.

a. Definition of terms:

(1) Sterilization;

(2) Disinfection and disinfectant;

(3) Sterilizer or sterilant;

(4) Antiseptic;

(5) Germicide;

(6) Decontamination; and

(7) Sanitation;

b. The use of steam sterilization equipment and techniques;

c. The use of chemical agents, antiseptics, disinfectants, and fumigants;

d. The use of sanitation equipment;

e. Preservice sanitation procedure; and

f. Postservice sanitation procedure.

4. Safety - minimum of 50 hours of instruction.

a. Proper needle handling and disposal;

b. How to avoid overexposure to chemicals;

c. The use of Safety Data Sheets;

d. Blood spill procedures;

e. Equipment and instrument storage; and

f. First aid.

5. Bloodborne pathogen standards - minimum of 50 hours of instruction.

a. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bloodborne pathogen standards;

b. Control plan for bloodborne pathogens;

c. Exposure control plan for tattooers;

d. Overview of compliance requirements; and

e. Disorders and when not to service a client.

6. Professional standards - minimum of 30 hours of instruction.

a. History of tattooing;

b. Ethics;

c. Recordkeeping:

(1) Client health history;

(2) Consent forms; and

(3) HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Privacy Rule) Standards;

d. Preparing station, making appointments, parlor ethics:

(1) Maintaining professional appearance, notifying clients of schedule changes; and

(2) Promoting services of the parlor and establishing clientele;

e. Parlor management:

(1) Licensing requirements; and

(2) Taxes; and

f. Supplies:

(1) Usages;

(2) Ordering; and

(3) Storage.

7. Tattooing - minimum of 500 hours of instruction.

a. Client consultation;

b. Client health form;

c. Client disclosure form;

d. Client preparation;

e. Sanitation and safety precautions;

f. Implement selection and use;

g. Proper use of equipment;

h. Material selection and use;

i. Needles:

(1) Groupings;

(2) Properties; and

(3) Making;

j. Ink;

k. Machine:

(1) Construction;

(2) Adjustment; and

(3) Power supply;

l. Art, drawing; and

m. Portfolio.

8. Anatomy - minimum of 60 hours of instruction.

a. Understanding of skin; and

b. Parts and functions of skin.

9. Virginia tattooing laws and regulations - minimum of 10 hours of instruction.

D. The outline for permanent cosmetic tattooing must include the following:

1. Virginia tattooing laws and regulations - minimum of five hours of instruction.

2. Machines and devices - minimum of 15 hours of instruction:

a. Coil or rotary machine;

b. Hand device; and

c. Other devices.

3. Needles and cartridges - minimum of 10 hours of instruction:

a. Types;

b. Uses; and

c. Application.

4. Anatomy - minimum of 10 hours of instruction:

a. Layers of skin;

b. Parts and functions of skin; and

c. Diseases.

5. Color theory - minimum of five hours of instruction:

a. Skin and pigment color; and

b. Handling and storage of pigments.

6. Transmission cycle of infectious diseases - minimum of five hours of instruction.

7. Immunization - minimum of five hours of instruction:

a. Types of immunizations; and

b. General preventative measures to be taken to protect the tattooer and client.

8. Sanitation and disinfection - minimum of 15 hours of instruction:

a. Definition of terms:

(1) Sterilization;

(2) Disinfection and disinfectant;

(3) Sterilizer or sterilant;

(4) Antiseptic;

(5) Germicide;

(6) Decontamination; and

(7) Sanitation;

b. The use of steam sterilization equipment and techniques;

c. The use of chemical agents, antiseptics, and disinfectants;

d. The use of sanitation equipment;

e. Preservice sanitation procedure; and

f. Postservice sanitation procedure.

9. Safety - minimum of five hours of instruction:

a. Proper needle handling and disposal;

b. Blood spill procedures;

c. Equipment and instrument storage; and

d. First aid.

10. Bloodborne pathogen standards - minimum of five hours of instruction:

a. OSHA and CDC bloodborne pathogen standards;

b. Overview of compliance requirements; and

c. Disorders and when not to service a client.

11. Anesthetics - minimum of 10 hours of instruction:

a. Use;

b. Types;

c. Application; and

d. Removal.

12. Equipment - minimum of five hours of instruction:

a. Gloves;

b. Masks;

c. Apron;

d. Chair;

e. Lighting; and

f. Work table.

13. Professional standards - minimum of five hours of instruction:

a. History of permanent cosmetic tattooing;

b. Ethics;

c. Recordkeeping:

(1) Client health history; and

(2) Consent forms;

d. Preparing station, making appointments, and salon ethics:

(1) Maintaining professional appearance and notifying clients of schedule changes; and

(2) Promoting services of the salon and establishing clientele; and

e. Salon management:

(1) Licensing requirements; and

(2) Taxes.

14. Permanent cosmetic tattooing - minimum of 100 hours of instruction:

a. Client consultation;

b. Client health form;

c. Client disclosure form;

d. Client preparation;

e. Drawing and mapping;

f. Sanitation and safety precautions;

g. Implement selection and use;

h. Proper use of equipment;

i. Material selection and use;

j. Eyebrows;

k. Microblading;

l. Eyeliner;

m. Lip coloring;

n. Lip liners; and

o. Scalp micropigmentation.

E. The outline for master permanent cosmetic tattooing must include the following:

1. Virginia tattooing laws and regulations - minimum of five hours of instruction.

2. Machines and devices - minimum of five hours of instruction:

a. Coil or rotary machine;

b. Hand device; and

c. Other devices.

3. Needles and cartridges - minimum of five hours of instruction:

a. Types;

b. Uses; and

c. Application.

4. Advanced practical clinical anatomy - minimum of 10 hours of instruction:

a. Eyelid anatomy;

b. Lip anatomy; and

c. Breast anatomy.

5. Advanced color theory - minimum of 10 hours of instruction.

6. Organic and inorganic pigment - minimum of five hours of instruction.

7. Understanding the surgical process - minimum of five hours of instruction:

a. The latissimus dorsi flap procedure;

b. Abdominoplasty and breast reconstruction;

c. Other reconstruction procedures:

(1) Deep inferior epigastric artery (perforator DIEP) flap; and

(2) Superior gluteal artery (perforator DIEP) flap;

d. Flap size versus areola size; and

e. Implant reconstruction:

(1) Tissue expansion;

(2) Placing the implant;

(3) Implant versus flap reconstruction;

(4) Saline versus silicone;

(5) Radiation therapy; and

(6) Lymphedema.

8. Client consultation - minimum of 10 hours of instruction.

9. Breast areolar pigmentation - minimum of 10 hours of instruction:

a. Chart notes;

b. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA);

c. Room setup;

d. Anesthetic for breast procedures;

e. Color selection;

f. Needle selection;

g. Design and placement:

(1) Position of the areola or nipple complex;

(2) The Penn Triangle;

(3) Diameter of the areola; and

(4) Nipple reconstruction;

h. Creating three-dimensional nipple or areola:

(1) Understanding and creating a reflection of light; and

(2) The value of color;

i. Covering scar tissue and periareolar scar blending;

j. Aftercare:

(1) Tegaderm aftercare instructions; and

(2) Follow up; and

k. Precautions and contraindications.

10. Skin cancer - minimum of five hours of instruction:

a. Basal cell carcinomas;

b. Squamous cell carcinomas; and

c. Melanoma.

11. The art of camouflage - minimum of 10 hours of instruction:

a. Client or patient selection and handling;

b. Contraindications and when not to perform services;

c. Skin tones;

d. Color selection and skin tone matching;

e. Scars;

f. Burn scars; and

g. Common needle configurations used for camouflage.

12. Side effects - minimum of five hours of instruction.

13. Insurance - minimum of five hours of instruction.

14. Master permanent cosmetic tattooing procedures - minimum of 110 hours of instruction:

a. Lip;

b. Areola;

c. Blush;

d. Camouflage; and

e. Eyeshadow.

F. A licensed tattoo or permanent cosmetic tattoo school may conduct an assessment of a transfer student's competence in the respective profession and, based on the assessment, give credit toward the hours requirements specified in this section and 18VAC41-50-290. A licensed tattooing or permanent cosmetic tattooing school with an approved master permanent cosmetic tattooing program may conduct an assessment of a transfer student's competence in master permanent cosmetic tattooing and, based on the assessment, give credit toward the requirements specified in subsection E of this section and 18VAC41-50-290 D.

The school must make the assessment based on a review of the student's transcript, documentation of hours and performances provided to the student by the school from where the student is transferring, and the successful completion of a competency examination administered by the school. The school may also request a copy of a catalog or bulletin giving the full course description when making the evaluation. The number of credit hours awarded must not exceed the actual hours of instruction verified on the transcript or the number of hours specified in the board-approved curriculum for a specific topic.

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 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023; Volume 42, Issue 11, eff. January 5, 2026.

18VAC41-50-290. Hours of instruction and performances.

A. Tattooing curriculum requirements specified in 18VAC41-50-280 C must be taught over a minimum of 1,000 hours as follows:

1. 350 hours must be devoted to theory pertaining to 18VAC41-50-280 C 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9;

2. 150 hours must be devoted to theory pertaining to 18VAC41-50-280 C 3; and

3. The remaining 500 hours must be devoted to practical training to include tattooing curriculum requirements and a minimum of 100 performances pertaining to 18VAC41-50-280 C 7.

B. Curriculum and performance requirements specified in 18VAC41-50-280 D and E must be taught over a minimum of 200 clock hours for permanent cosmetic tattooing program and 200 clock hours for a master permanent cosmetic tattooing program.

C. A minimum of 60 performances must be completed as part of the permanent cosmetic tattooing instruction, including:

D. A minimum of 55 performances must be completed as part of the master permanent cosmetic tattooing instruction, including:

E. Completion of performances are determined as follows:

1. Two complete eyebrows constitutes one performance;

2. Two complete eye liners constitutes one performance;

3. One complete lip liner (bottom or top lip separately) constitutes one performance;

4. One complete lip color (bottom or top lip separately) constitutes one performance; and

5. Two complete eyeshadows constitute one performance.

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 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023; Volume 42, Issue 11, eff. January 5, 2026.