Part I. General
18VAC41-60-10. Definitions.
A. The following words and terms when used in this chapter have the meanings ascribed to them in § 54.1-700 of the Code of Virginia:
"Board"
"Body-piercer"
"Body-piercing"
"Body-piercing salon"
"Body-piercing school"
"Ear-piercer"
"Ear-piercing"
"Ear-piercing salon"
"Ear-piercing school"
B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Apprenticeship program" means an approved body-piercing or ear-piercing training program conducted by an approved apprenticeship sponsor.
"Apprenticeship sponsor" means an individual approved to conduct body-piercing or ear-piercing apprenticeship training who meets the qualifications in 18VAC41-60-70.
"Aseptic technique" means a hygienic practice that prevents and hinders the direct transfer of microorganisms, regardless of pathogenicity, from one person or place to another person or place.
"Business entity" means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or any other form of organization permitted by law.
"Direct supervision" means a Virginia licensed body-piercer or ear-piercer is present in the body-piercing salon or ear-piercing salon at all times when services are being performed by a temporary license holder or registered apprentice.
"Ear-piercer earlobe only" means any person who uses only a mechanized, presterilized ear-piercing system that penetrates the lobe of the ear for compensation.
"Ear-piercing earlobe only" means the use of a mechanized, presterilized ear-piercing system that penetrates the lobe of the ear.
"Ear-piercing earlobe only salon" means any place where a fee is charged for the act of using a mechanized, presterilized ear-piercing system that penetrates the lobe of the ear.
"Event piercer salon" means a body-piercing or ear-piercing salon temporary location licensed to operate for a maximum of seven consecutive days.
"Firm" means any business entity recognized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
"Guest piercer" means a body-piercer or ear-piercer residing outside of Virginia who is licensed only to work for a two-week period at a piercing salon or piercing convention.
"Guest piercer sponsor" means a licensed body-piercing or ear-piercing salon that is sponsoring and providing direct supervision of a guest piercer.
"Licensee" means any individual or firm holding a license issued by the board.
"Piercing convention" means an event where Virginia and out-of-state body-piercers or ear-piercers gather for no more than seven consecutive days to offer body-piercing and ear-piercing services to the public.
"Reasonable hours" means the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; however, if the licensee generally is not open to the public substantially during the same hours, "reasonable hours" means the business hours when the licensee is open to the public.
"Reinstatement" means having a license restored to effectiveness after the expiration date has passed.
"Renewal" means continuing the effectiveness of a license for another period of time.
"Responsible management" means the following individuals:
1. The sole proprietor of a sole proprietorship;
2. The partners of a general partnership;
3. The managing partners of a limited partnership;
4. The officers of a corporation;
5. The managers of a limited liability company;
6. The officers or directors of an association; and
7. Individuals in other business entities recognized under the laws of the Commonwealth as having a fiduciary responsibility to the firm.
"Sole proprietor" means any individual, not a corporation, who is trading under that individual's own name or under an assumed or fictitious name pursuant to the provisions of §§ 59.1-69 through 59.1-76 of the Code of Virginia.
"Sterilization area" means a room or area separate from workstations with restricted client access in which body-piercing or ear-piercing instruments are cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized.
"Substantially equivalent exam" means an examination administered by the licensing entity that covers Virginia's scope of practice for that profession.
"Substantially equivalent training" means at least 80% of the required hours in Virginia and curriculum content covering Virginia's scope of practice for that profession.
"Temporary location" means a fixed location at which body-piercing or ear-piercing is performed for a specified length of time of not more than seven days in conjunction with a single event or convention.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2007; amended Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023; Volume 42, Issue 6, eff. December 18, 2025; Volume 42, Issue 13, eff. March 16, 2026.
18VAC41-60-15. Gratuitous services.
As provided in subdivision 5 of § 54.1-701 of the Code of Virginia, any individual who engages in body-piercing , ear-piercing, and ear-piercing earlobe only without receiving compensation, reward, or obligation is considered to be performing gratuitous services and is exempt from the provisions of this chapter. Gratuitous services do not include services provided at no charge when goods are purchased.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 13, eff. March 16, 2026.