Part II. Entry
18VAC41-60-20. General requirements.
A. Any individual who wants to engage in body-piercing or ear-piercing must obtain a license in compliance with § 54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia and meet the following qualifications:
1. The applicant must be in good standing as a body-piercer or ear-piercer in every jurisdiction where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant must provide a copy of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions to the board at the time of application for licensure. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license.
Upon review of the applicant's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant who the board deems unfit or unsuited to engage in body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only.
2. The applicant must disclose the applicant's physical address and email address. A post office box may be provided as a secondary address.
3. The applicant must sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia body-piercing and ear-piercing license laws and this chapter.
4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose all felony convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions within 10 years of the date of application.
The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.
5. The applicant must provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has passed the respective board-approved examination, administered either by the board or by a designated testing service.
B. Eligibility to sit for a board-approved examination.
1. Training in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Any person completing one of the following programs is eligible to sit for an examination:
a. An approved body-piercing apprenticeship program in a Virginia licensed body-piercing salon; or
b. An approved ear-piercing apprenticeship program in a Virginia licensed body-piercing or ear-piercing salon.
2. Training outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
a. Any person completing a body-piercing or ear-piercing training or apprenticeship program that is substantially equivalent to the Virginia program but is outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia must submit to the board (i) documentation of the successful completion of training or apprenticeship to be eligible for examination and (ii) documentation of completion of board-approved health education to include (a) bloodborne pathogens, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to body-piercing or ear-piercing, as applicable, and (b) first aid. Applicants who have earned a degree from an institution outside the United States must have the degree translated, authenticated, and evaluated by an education evaluation service if credit is sought for the education. The board, in its discretion, may decline to accept any evaluation submitted by an applicant.
b. Applicants who completed a training or apprenticeship program that is not substantially equivalent to Virginia's training must submit (i) documentation acceptable to the board verifying three years of work experience in any other state or jurisdiction of the United States on a form provided by the board and (ii) documentation of completion of board-approved health education to include (a) bloodborne pathogens, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to body-piercing or ear-piercing, as applicable, and (b) first aid.
If fewer than the required hours of body-piercing or ear-piercing training or body-piercing or ear-piercing apprenticeship were completed, an applicant must submit (i) documentation acceptable to the board verifying the completion of a substantially equivalent body-piercing or ear-piercing training or body-piercing or ear-piercing apprenticeship or documentation of three years of work experience in any other state or jurisdiction of the United States on a form provided by the board and (ii) documentation of completion of board-approved health education to include (a) bloodborne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to body-piercing or ear-piercing,as applicable,; and (b) first aid.
C. Any individual who wants to engage in ear-piercing earlobe only, must obtain a license in compliance with § 54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia and meet the following qualifications:
1. The applicant must be in good standing in Virginia and in all other jurisdictions where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant must provide a copy of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions to the board at the time of application for licensure. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action pertaining to services within the respective scope of practice, or voluntary termination of a license.
Upon review of the applicant's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant who it deems unfit or unsuited to engage in ear-piercing earlobe only.
2. The applicant must disclose the applicant's physical address and email address. A post office box may be provided as a secondary address.
3. The applicant must sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia body-piercing and ear-piercing license laws and this chapter.
4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose all felony convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions within 10 years of the date of application.
The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.
5. The applicant must have completed board-approved health education to include bloodborne disease and first aid and provide verification of training on a mechanized, presterilized ear-piercing system that penetrates the lobe of the ear and aftercare of piercing.
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.
18VAC41-60-30. License by endorsement.
A. Upon proper application to the board, any person currently licensed to practice as a body-piercer or ear-piercer in any other state or jurisdiction of the United States and who has completed a training or apprenticeship program and an examination that is substantially equivalent to the training and examination required by this chapter may be issued a body-piercer or ear-piercer license without an examination. The applicant must also meet the requirements set forth in 18VAC41-60-20 A 1 through A 4 and provide documentation of completion of board-approved health education to include (i) bloodborne pathogens, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to body-piercing or ear-piercing, as applicable, and (ii) first aid.
B. Applicants for licensure by endorsement who completed a training or apprenticeship program that is not substantially equivalent to Virginia's training but who otherwise meet all the requirements listed in subsection A of this section may substitute three years of work experience for training. Applicants must provide work history demonstrating three years of licensed experience in any other state or jurisdiction of the United States on a form provided by the board and provide documentation of completion of board-approved health education to include (i) bloodborne pathogens, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to body-piercing or ear-piercing, as applicable, and (ii) first aid.
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 13, eff. March 16, 2026.
18VAC41-60-40. Examination requirements and fees.
A. Applicants for initial licensure must pass an examination approved by the board.
B. The applicant must follow all procedures established by the board with regard to conduct at the examination. Such procedures shall include written instructions communicated prior to the examination date and any instructions communicated at the site on the date of the examination. Failure to comply with all procedures established by the board and the testing service with regard to conduct at the examination may be grounds for denial of application.
C. Any applicant who does not pass a reexamination within one year of the initial examination date shall be required to submit a new application.
D. The fee for examination or reexamination is subject to contracted charges to the board by an outside vendor. These contracts are competitively negotiated and bargained for in compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). Fees may be adjusted and charged to the candidate in accordance with these contracts. The fee shall not exceed $225 per candidate.
E. Any candidate failing to apply for initial licensure within five years of passing the written examination must retake the examination.
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 13, eff. March 16, 2026.
18VAC41-60-50. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2007; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023.
18VAC41-60-60. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2007; repealed Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023.
18VAC41-60-70. General requirements for an apprenticeship sponsor.
A. Any individual who wants to sponsor a body-piercing apprentice must meet the following qualifications:
1. The applicant must hold and maintain a current Virginia body-piercing license;
2. The applicant must provide documentation of legally practicing body-piercing for at least five years; and
3. The applicant must provide documentation indicating that the applicant is in good standing in all jurisdictions where the practice of body-piercing is regulated.
B. Any individual who wants to sponsor an ear-piercing apprentice must meet the following qualifications:
1. The applicant must hold and maintain a current Virginia body-piercing or ear-piercing license;
2. The applicant must provide documentation of legally practicing body-piercing or ear-piercing for at least five years; and
3. The applicant must provide documentation indicating that the applicant is in good standing in all jurisdictions where the practice of body-piercing or ear-piercing is regulated.
C. Apprenticeship sponsors must ensure compliance with the 1500-hour Body-Piercing Apprenticeship Program and Body-Piercing Apprenticeship Standards, or the 500-hour Ear-Piercing Apprenticeship Program and Ear-Piercing Apprenticeship Standards, as applicable.
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 42, Issue 6, eff. December 18, 2025; Volume 42, Issue 13, eff. March 16, 2026.
18VAC41-60-75. Body-piercing or ear-piercing temporary license.
A. A temporary license to work under the direct supervision of a currently licensed individual may be issued only to applicants for initial licensure who the board finds eligible for the applicable examination. There is no fee for a temporary license. Except as provided in this section, an applicant holding a temporary license must be supervised by an individual holding a license in the same scope of practice. Licensed body-piercers may also supervise ear-piercer temporary license holders.
B. The temporary license will remain in force for 90 days and no subsequent temporary license will be issued.
C. Any person continuing to practice body-piercing or ear-piercing services after a temporary license has expired may be prosecuted and fined by the Commonwealth under §§ 54.1-111 A 1 and 54.1-202 of the Code of Virginia.
D. No temporary license will be issued where grounds may exist to deny a license pursuant to § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia or 18VAC41-60-20.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 13, eff. March 16, 2026.
18VAC41-60-80. General requirements for a salon or event salon license.
A. Any firm that wants to operate a body-piercing salon, ear-piercing salon, ear-piercing earlobe only salon, or event piercing salon, including any mobile salon, must obtain a salon license in compliance with § 54.1-704.1 of the Code of Virginia and must meet the following qualifications in order to receive a license:
1. The applicant and all members of the responsible management must be in good standing as a licensed salon in Virginia and all other jurisdictions where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant and all members of the responsible management must provide a copy of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions to the board at the time of application for licensure. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license.
Upon review of the applicant's and all members of the responsible management's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant that the board deems unfit or unsuited to engage in the operation of a body-piercing salon, ear-piercing salon, ear-piercing earlobe only salon, or event piercing salon.
2. The applicant must disclose the applicant's physical address and email address. A post office box may be provided as a secondary address. Mobile salons must provide a physical address where the salon is permanently garaged.
3. The applicant must sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia body-piercing or ear-piercing license laws and this chapter.
4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose all felony convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions for the firm and all members of the firm's responsible management within 10 years of the date of application.
The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.
5. The applicant must disclose the firm's responsible management.
B. Body-piercing, ear-piercing, ear-piercing earlobe only, or event piercing salon licenses are issued to firms as defined in this chapter and are not transferable. Any changes in the name or address of the salon must be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of such changes. The board will not be responsible for the licensee's failure to receive notices, communications, and correspondence caused by the licensee's failure to promptly notify the board in writing of any change of name or address or for any reason beyond the control of the board.
C. Whenever the legal business entity holding the license is dissolved or altered to form a new business entity, the original license becomes void. The firm must notify the board, apply for a new license within 30 days of the change in the business entity, and destroy the license. Such changes include:
1. Death of a sole proprietor;
2. Death or withdrawal of a general partner in a general partnership or the managing partner in a limited partnership; and
3. Conversion, formation, or dissolution of a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, or any other business entity recognized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
D. Any change in the officers of a corporation, managers of a limited liability company, or officers or directors of an association must be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of the change.
E. Any firm that wants to operate a body-piercing or ear-piercing salon in a temporary location must have a body-piercing salon or ear-piercing license, as applicable, issued by the board.
F. Any piercing salon that wants to host a guest piercer must identify itself as the guest piercer sponsor and must provide direct supervision of any piercing by the guest piercer.
G. An event piercer salon license is effective for seven consecutive days prior to the expiration date. Any firm that wants to operate an event piercing salon must submit an application to the board at least 45 days prior to the date for which approval is sought.
H. A firm may obtain a maximum of five event piercing salon licenses within a calendar year.
I. The board or any of the board's agents must be allowed to inspect during reasonable hours any licensed salon for compliance with provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or this chapter.
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.
18VAC41-60-81. Guest piercer license.
A. A guest body-piercer or ear-piercer license is effective for 14 days prior to the expiration date.
B. An out-of-state resident may apply for and obtain up to five guest piercer licenses per calendar year.
C. For each calendar year, a guest piercer applicant must meet the following qualifications:
1. Requirements set forth in 18VAC41-60-20 A 1 through A 4.
2. Present documentation showing out-of-state residency.
3. Documentation of board-approved health education knowledge to include (i) bloodborne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to body-piercing or ear-piercing; and (ii) first aid.
D. A guest piercer must provide documentation with each application showing the guest piercer sponsor, including a signature of sponsor salon's responsible management.
E. A guest piercer must provide the name and license number of the guest piercer's sponsor and the duration of the guest piercer's piercing services for all guest piercer locations.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 6, eff. December 18, 2025; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 13, eff. March 16, 2026.
18VAC41-60-82. Guest piercer sponsor.
A. The licensed body-piercing salon sponsoring a guest piercer must ensure that the guest piercer:
1. Has a valid, current guest piercing license for the entire duration of the guest piercer piercing at the salon.
2. Is directly supervised by a licensed piercer. A body-piercer may directly supervise a guest body-piercer or ear-piercer. An ear-piercer may only directly supervise a guest ear piercer.
3. Complies with all Virginia regulations relating to health, sanitation, client qualifications, and standards of practice.
B. The licensed ear-piercing salon sponsoring a guest ear-piercer must ensure that the guest ear-piercer:
1. Has a valid, current guest ear-piercing license for the entire duration of the guest ear piercer's ear-piercing at the salon.
2. Is directly supervised by a licensed body-piercer or ear-piercer.
3. Complies with all Virginia regulations relating to health, sanitation, client qualifications, and standards of practice.
C. With the exception of piercing conventions, a member of the guest piercer sponsor's responsible management must sign the guest piercer application certifying that the sponsor will ensure the requirements of subsections A and B of this section are met.
D. The guest piercer sponsor is responsible for the acts or omissions of the guest piercer in the performance of body-piercing or ear-piercing, respectively.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 6, eff. December 18, 2025.