Virginia Law

Part VII. Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing Schools

18VAC41-50-300. Applicants for permanent cosmetic tattooing school license.

Any person or entity desiring to operate a permanent cosmetic 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.

18VAC41-50-310. General requirements.

A permanent cosmetic tattooing school shall:

1. Hold a permanent cosmetic tattooing school license for each and every location.

2. Hold a permanent cosmetic tattoo salon 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 licensed and certified permanent cosmetic tattooing instructors or licensed and certified master permanent cosmetic tattooing instructors.

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

5. Submit its curricula for board approval.

6. Inform the public that all services are performed by students if the permanent cosmetic 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 permanent cosmetic tattooers under the direct supervision of a licensed and certified permanent cosmetic tattooing instructor or a licensed and certified master permanent cosmetic tattooing instructor.

9. Conduct all instruction and training of master permanent cosmetic tattooers under the direct supervision of a licensed and certified master permanent cosmetic tattooing instructor.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

18VAC41-50-320. (Repealed.)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 October 1, 2006; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 22, eff.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.

18VAC41-50-330. 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, 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.

18VAC41-50-340. (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.

18VAC41-50-350. (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.

18VAC41-50-360. Permanent cosmetic tattooing school curriculum requirements.

A. Any person desiring to enroll in the permanent cosmetic tattooing school shall be required to provide documentation of satisfactory completion of health education on bloodborne disease.

B. Permanent cosmetic tattooing school curriculum requirements are as follows:

1. Virginia tattooing laws and regulations.

2. Machines and devices.

a. Coil machine;

b. Hand device; and

c. Others devices.

3. Needles.

a. Types;

b. Uses; and

c. Application.

4. Anatomy.

a. Layers of skin;

b. Parts and functions of skin; and

c. Diseases.

5. Color theory.

a. Skin and pigment color; and

b. Handling and storage of pigments.

6. Transmission cycle of infectious diseases.

7. Immunization.

a. Types of immunizations; and

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

8. 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, and disinfectants;

d. The use of sanitation equipment;

e. Preservice sanitation procedure; and

f. Postservice sanitation procedure.

9. Safety.

a. Proper needle handling and disposal;

b. Blood spill procedures;

c. Equipment and instrument storage; and

d. First aid.

10. Bloodborne pathogen standards.

a. OSHA and CDC bloodborne pathogen standards;

b. Overview of compliance requirements; and

c. Disorders and when not to service a client.

11. Anesthetics.

a. Use;

b. Types;

c. Application; and

d. Removal.

12. Equipment.

a. Gloves;

b. Masks;

c. Apron;

d. Chair;

e. Lighting; and

f. Work table.

13. Professional standards.

a. History of permanent cosmetic tattooing;

b. Ethics;

c. Recordkeeping:

(1) Client health history; and

(2) Consent forms;

d. Preparing station, making appointments, salon ethics:

(1) Maintaining professional appearance, 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.

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.

C. Master permanent cosmetic tattooing program curriculum requirements are as follows:

1. Virginia tattooing laws and regulations.

2. Machines and devices:

a. Coil machine;

b. Hand device; and

c. Others devices.

3. Needles:

a. Types;

b. Uses; and

c. Application.

4. Advanced practical clinical anatomy:

a. Eyelid anatomy;

b. Lip anatomy; and

c. Breast anatomy.

5. Advanced color theory.

6. Organic and inorganic pigment.

7. Understanding the surgical process:

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.

9. Breast areolar pigmentation:

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/nipple complex;

(2) The Penn Triangle;

(3) Diameter of the areola; and

(4) Nipple reconstruction;

h. Creating three-dimensional nipple/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:

a. Basal cell carcinomas;

b. Squamous cell carcinomas; and

c. Melanoma.

11. The art of camouflage:

a. Client/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 scar; and

g. Common needle configurations used for camouflage.

12. Side effects.

13. Insurance.

14. Master permanent cosmetic tattooing procedures:

a. Lip;

b. Areola;

c. Blush;

d. Camouflage; and

e. Eyeshadow.

D. A licensed school with an approved permanent cosmetic tattooing or master permanent cosmetic tattooing program 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 the respective subsection of this section and 18VAC41-50-370.

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 diploma 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.

18VAC41-50-370. Hours of instruction and performances.

A. Curriculum and performance requirements specified in 18VAC41-50-360 and this section shall 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.

B. A minimum of 50 performances shall be completed as part of the permanent cosmetic tattooing instruction, including two eyebrow, two microblading procedures, two lip liners, one lip color, and one full lips.

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

D. Completion of performances are determined as follows:

1. Two complete eyebrows constitutes one performance;

2. Two complete eye liners constitutes one performance; and

3. One complete lip liner constitutes one performance.

E. 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.