Part VI. Tattooing Schools
18VAC41-50-220. Applicants for tattooing school license.
Any person or entity desiring to operate a tattooing school shall submit an application to the board at least 60 days prior to the date for which approval is sought.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.
18VAC41-50-230. General requirements.
A tattooing school shall:
1. Hold a tattooing school license for each and every location.
2. Hold a tattoo parlor license.
3. Employ a staff of licensed and certified tattooing instructors.
4. Develop individuals for entry-level competency in tattooing.
5. Submit its curricula for board approval. All changes to curricula must be resubmitted and approved by the board.
6. Inform the public that all services are performed by students if the tattooing school receives compensation for services provided in its clinic by posting a notice in the reception area of the shop 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.
8. Conduct all instruction and training of students under the direct supervision of a licensed and certified tattooing instructor.
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.
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 (Repealed.)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 October 1, 2006; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 22, eff.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 are required to keep upon graduation, termination, or withdrawal, written records of hours and performances showing what instruction a student has received for a period of five years after the student terminates or completes the curriculum of the school. These records shall be available for inspection by the Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation. All records must be kept on the premises of each school.
B. For a period of five years after a student completes the curriculum, terminates, or withdraws from the school, schools are required to provide documentation of hours and performances completed by a student upon receipt of a written request from the student.
C. Schools shall 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.
E. For a period of one year after a school changes ownership, schools are required to provide documentation of hours and performances completed by a current student upon receipt of a written request from the student.
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.
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 school curriculum requirements.
A. Any person desiring to enroll in the tattooing school shall be required to provide documentation of satisfactory completion of a minimum of five hours of health education to include (i) bloodborne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to tattooing; (ii) first aid; and (iii) CPR.
B. Tattooing school curriculum requirements are as follows:
1. Microbiology.
a. Microorganisms, viruses, bacteria, fungus;
b. Transmission cycle of infectious diseases; and
c. Characteristics of antimicrobial agents.
2. Immunization.
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.
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.
a. Proper needle handling and disposal;
b. How to avoid overexposure to chemicals;
c. The use of Material Safety Data Sheets;
d. Blood spill procedures;
e. Equipment and instrument storage; and
f. First aid and CPR.
5. Bloodborne pathogen standards.
a. OSHA and 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.
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.
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.
a. Understanding of skin; and
b. Parts and functions of skin.
9. Virginia tattooing laws and regulations.
C. A licensed tattoo school may conduct an assessment of a 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.
The school shall make the assessment based on a review of the student's transcript and the successful completion of a board-approved 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 shall 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. Credit may only be given for in-person training.
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.
18VAC41-50-290. Hours of instruction and performances.
A. Curriculum requirements specified in 18VAC41-50-280 shall be taught over a minimum of 1,000 hours as follows:
1. 350 hours shall be devoted to theory pertaining to 18VAC41-50-280 B 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9;
2. 150 hours shall be devoted to theory pertaining to 18VAC41-50-280 B 3; and
3. The remaining 500 hours shall be devoted to practical training to include tattooing curriculum requirements and a minimum of 100 performances pertaining to 18VAC41-50-280 B 7.
B. An approved tattooing school may conduct an assessment of a student's competence in the theory and practical requirements for tattooing and, based on the assessment, give a maximum of 700 hours of credit toward the requirements in subdivisions A 1 and A 3 of this section. No credit shall be allowed for the 150 hours required in subdivision A 2 of this section.
C. Individuals enrolled in a program prior to July 1, 2022, may complete the program at the hours in effect at the time they enrolled.
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.