Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
5/29/2023

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 if the school receives compensation for services provided in the area where practical instruction is conducted and services are provided.

3. Employ a staff of certified tattooing instructors.

4. Develop individuals for entry-level competency in tattooing.

5. Submit its curricula for board approval.

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 tattooers under the direct supervision of a 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.

18VAC41-50-240. School identification.

Each tattooing school approved by the board shall identify itself to the public as a teaching institution.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.

18VAC41-50-250. 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. 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. 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.

D. 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.

18VAC41-50-260. Hours reported.

Within 30 days of the closing of a licensed tattooing school for any reason, the school shall provide a written report to the board on performances and hours of each of its students who has not completed the program.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.

18VAC41-50-270. Health education.

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 but not limited to blood-borne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to tattooing, and first aid and CPR.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.

18VAC41-50-280. Tattooing school curriculum requirements.

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—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. Blood-borne pathogen standards.

a. OSHA and CDC blood-borne pathogen standards;

b. Control plan for blood-borne 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.

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;

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.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.

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

A. Curriculum requirements specified in 18VAC41-50-280 shall be taught over a minimum of 750 hours as follows:

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

2. 150 hours shall be devoted to theory pertaining to subdivision 3 of 18VAC41-50-280; and

3. The remaining 250 hours shall be devoted to practical training to include but not limited to tattooing curriculum requirements and a total of 100 performances pertaining to subdivision 7 of 18VAC41-50-280.

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 350 hours of credit towards 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.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2006.

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