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 disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure any disciplinary action taken in Virginia or any other jurisdiction in connection with the applicant's practice as a body-piercer or ear-piercer. This disclosure includes monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license. The applicant must disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure if the applicant has been previously licensed in Virginia as a body-piercer or ear-piercer.
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. The board will decide each case by taking into account the totality of the circumstances. Any plea of nolo contendere or comparable plea shall be considered a disciplinary action for the purposes of this subdivision. The applicant must provide a certified copy of a final order, decree, or case decision by a court, regulatory agency, or board with the lawful authority to issue such order, decree, or case decision, and such copy shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such disciplinary action.
2. The applicant must disclose the applicant's physical address. A post office box is not acceptable.
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 the following information regarding criminal convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions:
a. All misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, or physical injury within two years of the date of the application; and
b. All felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application.
Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision. The record of a conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. 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, but within the United States or jurisdiction of the United States. 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 documentation of the successful completion of training or apprenticeship to be eligible for examination. 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 within the preceding five years as a body-piercer or ear-piercer and (ii) documentation of completion of a minimum of five hours of health education to include (a) bloodborne disease, sterilization, and aseptic techniques related to body-piercing or ear-piercing; (b) first aid; and (c) CPR that is acceptable to the board in order to be eligible for examination.
C. In order to receive a license as an ear-piercer earlobe only, an applicant must meet the following qualifications:
1. The applicant must have completed a minimum of three hours of 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.
2. The applicant must be in good standing in every jurisdiction where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant must disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure any disciplinary action taken in another jurisdiction in connection with the applicant's licensed, certified, or registered practice. The applicant must disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure whether the applicant has been previously licensed in Virginia in any profession regulated by the board.
3. The applicant must disclose the applicant's physical address. A post office box is not acceptable.
4. 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 the board's body-piercing regulations.
5. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose the following information regarding criminal convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions:
a. All misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, or physical injury within two years of the date of the application; and
b. All felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application.
Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision. The record of a conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.
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.
18VAC41-60-30. License by endorsement.
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 that 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; (ii) first aid; and (iii) CPR.
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.
18VAC41-60-40. Examination requirements and fees.
A. Applicants for initial licensure shall pass an examination approved by the board. The examinations may be administered by the board or by a designated testing service.
B. Any candidate failing to appear as scheduled for examination shall forfeit the examination fee.
C. The applicant shall follow all procedures established by the board with regard to conduct at the examination. Such procedures shall include any written instructions communicated prior to the examination date and any instructions communicated at the site, either written or oral, 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.
D. Any applicant who does not pass a reexamination within one year of the initial examination date shall be required to submit a new application.
E. 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.
F. Any candidate failing to apply for initial licensure within five years of passing the written examination shall be required to retake the examination. Records of examinations shall be maintained for a maximum of five years.
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.
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 shall 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.
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 shall obtain a salon license in compliance with § 54.1-704.1 of the Code of Virginia and shall meet the following qualifications in order to receive a license:
1. The applicant and all members of the responsible management shall be in good standing as a licensed salon in Virginia and all other jurisdictions where licensed. The applicant and all members of the responsible management shall disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions in connection with the applicant's operation of any body-piercing salon, ear-piercing salon, ear-piercing earlobe only salon, or event piercing salon or practice of the profession. This disclosure includes monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license. The applicant shall disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure if the applicant or any member of the responsible management has been previously licensed in Virginia as a body-piercing salon, ear-piercing salon, ear-piercing earlobe only salon, or event piercing salon.
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. The board will decide each case by taking into account the totality of the circumstances. Any plea of nolo contendere or comparable plea shall be considered a disciplinary action for the purposes of this subdivision. The applicant shall provide a certified copy of a final order, decree, or case decision by a court, regulatory agency, or board with the lawful authority to issue such order, decree, or case decision, and such copy shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such disciplinary action.
2. The applicant shall disclose the applicant's physical address. A post office box is not acceptable.
3. The applicant shall sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia body-piercing license laws and this chapter.
4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant shall disclose the following information about the firm and all members of the responsible management regarding criminal convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions:
a. All misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, or physical injury within two years of the date of the application; and
b. All felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application.
Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subsection. The record of a conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. 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 shall disclose the firm's responsible management.
B. Body-piercing, ear-piercing, ear-piercing earlobe only, or event piercing salon licenses shall not be transferable and shall bear the same name and address of the business entity. Any changes in the name or address of the salon shall be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of such changes. New responsible management shall be responsible for applying for a new license within 30 days of the changes.
C. Whenever the legal business entity holding the license is dissolved or altered to form a new business entity, the original license becomes void and shall be returned to the board within 30 days of the change. Additionally, the firm shall apply for a new license within 30 days of the change in the business entity. 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 shall 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 shall 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.
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; (ii) first aid; and (iii) CPR.
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.
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.