Part VI. Standards of Practice
18VAC41-60-180. Display of license.
A. The responsible management for each body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon must ensure that all current licenses issued by the board are displayed in the reception area of the salon in plain view of the public. Duplicate licenses shall be posted in a like manner in every salon location where the licensee provides services.
B. The responsible management for each body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon must ensure that no licensee or apprentice performs any service beyond the scope of practice for the applicable license.
C. The responsible management for each body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon must offer to licensees and apprentices the full series of Hepatitis B vaccine.
D. The responsible management for each body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon must maintain a record for each licensee or apprentice of:
1. Proof of completion of the full series of Hepatitis B vaccine;
2. Proof of immunity by blood titer; or
3. Written declaration of refusal of the owner's offer of a full series of Hepatitis B vaccine.
E. All licensees must operate under the name in which the license is issued.
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.
18VAC41-60-190. Physical facilities.
A. A body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon must be in a permanent building, which must be in a location permissible under local zoning codes, if any. If applicable, the body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon must be separated from any living quarters by complete floor to ceiling partitioning and shall contain no access to living quarters.
B. The body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location must be maintained in a clean and orderly manner.
C. A body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location must have a blood spill clean-up kit in the work area.
D. Work surfaces in a body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location must be cleaned with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered, hospital-grade disinfectant. Surfaces that come in contact with blood or other body fluids shall be immediately disinfected with an EPA-registered germicide solution. Appropriate personal protective equipment shall be worn during cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
E. In a body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location, cabinets or containers for the storage of instruments, single-use articles, and other utensils shall be provided for each operator and must be maintained in a sanitary manner.
F. In a body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location, bulk single-use articles must be commercially packaged and handled in such a way as to protect the articles from contamination.
G. In a body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location, all materials applied to the human skin must be from single-use articles or transferred from bulk containers to single-use containers and must be disposed of after each use.
H. In a body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location, the walls, ceilings, and floors must be kept in good repair. The body-piercing or ear-piercing area must be constructed of smooth, hard surfaces that are nonporous, free of open holes or cracks, light colored, and easily cleaned. New physical facilities must not include any dark-colored surfaces in the body-piercing or ear-piercing area. Existing physical facilities with dark-colored surfaces in the body-piercing or ear-piercing area must replace the dark-colored surfaces with light-colored surfaces whenever the facilities are extensively remodeled or upon relocation of the business.
I. A body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location must have adequate lighting of at least 50 foot-candles of illumination in the body-piercing and sterilization areas.
J. In a body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location, adequate mechanical ventilation must be provided.
K. A body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location must be equipped with hand-cleaning facilities for its personnel with unobstructed access to the body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only area such that the body-piercer, ear-piercer, or ear-piercer earlobe only can return to the area without having to touch anything with his hands. Hand-cleaning facilities must be equipped either with hot and cold or tempered running water under pressure and liquid germicidal soap or with a sanitizing solution to clean hands. Hand-cleaning facilities must be equipped with single-use towels or mechanical hand drying devices and a covered refuse container. Such facilities must be kept clean and in good repair. All facilities must have running water and soap accessible for cleaning of hands contaminated by body fluids.
L. No animals are permitted in the body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location, except for guide or service animals accompanying persons with disabilities or nonmammalian animals in enclosed glass containers such as fish aquariums, which must be outside of the body-piercing or ear-piercing area or sterilization area. No animals are allowed in the body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only area or sterilization area.
M. In a body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location, the use of tobacco products and consumption of alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited in the body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only area or sterilization area.
N. In a body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location, no food or drink will be stored or consumed in the body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only area or sterilization area.
O. In a body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon or temporary location, if body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only is performed where cosmetology services are provided, those services must be performed in an area that is separate and enclosed.
P. All steam sterilizers must be biological spore tested at least monthly.
Q. Biological spore tests must be verified through an independent laboratory.
R. Biological spore test records must be retained for a period of three years and made available upon request.
S. Steam sterilizers must be used only for instruments used by the salon's employees.
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.
18VAC41-60-200. Body-piercer, ear-piercer, and ear-piercer earlobe only responsibilities.
A. All body-piercers, ear-piercers, and ear-piercers earlobe only must provide to the responsible management one of the following:
1. Proof of completion of the full series of Hepatitis B vaccine;
2. Proof of immunity by blood titer; or
3. Written declaration of refusal of the responsible management offer of a full series of Hepatitis B vaccine.
B. All body-piercers, ear-piercers, and ear-piercers earlobe only must wear clean outer garments, maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness, and conform to hygienic practices while on duty.
C. All body-piercers, ear-piercers, and ear-piercers earlobe only must clean their hands thoroughly using hot or tempered water with a liquid germicidal soap or use sanitizing solution to clean hands before and after body-piercing and as necessary to remove contaminants.
D. All body-piercers, ear-piercers, and ear-piercers earlobe only must wear single-use examination gloves while assembling instruments and another pair of single-use examination gloves while providing piercing services.
E. Each time there is an interruption in the service, each time the gloves become torn or perforated or become contaminated, or whenever the ability of the gloves to function as a barrier is compromised:
1. Gloves shall be removed and disposed of; and
2. Hands shall be cleaned and a fresh pair of gloves used.
F. Body-piercers, ear-piercers, and ear-piercers earlobe only must use standard precautions while providing piercing services. A body-piercer, ear-piercer, or ear-piercer earlobe only diagnosed with a communicable disease must provide to the Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation a written statement from a health care practitioner that the body-piercer's, ear-piercer's, or ear-piercer's earlobe only condition no longer poses a threat to public health.
G. Body-piercers, ear-piercers, and ear-piercers earlobe only with draining lesions on their hands or face will not be permitted to work until cleared by a health care professional.
H. The area of the client's skin to be pierced must be cleaned with an approved germicidal soap or antiseptic product according to label directions.
I. The external skin of the client to be pierced must be cleaned with an approved germicidal soap or antiseptic product according to the label directions. In the case of oral piercings, the operator must provide the individual with antiseptic mouthwash in a single-use cup and must ensure that the individual utilizes the mouthwash provided. In the case of a lip, labret, or cheek piercing, procedures described in this subsection for both skin and oral piercings must be followed.
J. If shaving is required, razors must be single-use and disposed of in a puncture-resistant container.
K. Each body-piercer, ear-piercer, or ear-piercer earlobe only performing any piercing procedures in the salon must have the education, training, and experience, or any combination thereof, to practice aseptic technique and prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. All procedures must be performed using aseptic technique.
L. An individual, single-use, pre-sterilized piercing needle must be used for each client. Single-use disposable instruments must be disposed of in a puncture-resistant container.
M. Used, nondisposable instruments shall be kept in a separate, puncture-resistant container until brush scrubbed in hot water soap and then sterilized by autoclaving. Contaminated instruments shall be handled with disposable gloves.
N. Used nondisposable instruments that are ultrasonically cleaned must be rinsed under running hot water prior to being placed in the used instrument container.
O. Used nondisposable instruments that are not ultrasonically cleaned prior to being placed in the used instrument container must be kept in a germicidal or soap solution until brush scrubbed in hot water and soap and sterilized by autoclaving.
P. The ultrasonic unit must be sanitized daily with a germicidal solution.
Q. Nondisposable instruments must be sterilized and must be handled and stored in a manner to prevent contamination. Instruments to be sterilized must be sealed in bags made specifically for the purpose of autoclave sterilization and must include the date of sterilization. If nontransparent bags are utilized, the bag must also list the contents.
R. Autoclave sterilization bags with a color code indicator that changes color upon proper sterilization must be utilized during the autoclave sterilization process.
S. Nondisposable instruments must be placed in the autoclave in a manner to allow live steam to circulate around them.
T. Contaminated disposable and single-use items must be disposed of in accordance with federal and state regulations regarding disposal of biological hazardous materials.
U. The manufacturer's written instruction of the autoclave shall be followed.
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.
18VAC41-60-210. Body-piercing and ear-piercing client qualifications, disclosures, and records.
A. Except as permitted in § 18.2-371.3 of the Code of Virginia, a client must be a minimum of 18 years of age and must present at the time of the body-piercing or ear-piercing a valid, government-issued, positive identification card, including a driver's license, passport, or military identification. The identification must contain a photograph of the individual and a printed date of birth.
B. The body-piercer or ear-piercer must verify and document in the permanent client record the client's age, date of birth, and the type of identification provided.
C. No person may be body or ear pierced who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
D. Body-piercing or ear-piercing must not be performed on any skin surface that manifests any evidence of unhealthy conditions such as rashes, boils, infections, or abrasions.
E. Before receiving a body-piercing or ear-piercing, each client and client's parent or guardian, if applicable, must be informed verbally and in writing, using the client disclosure form prescribed by the board, about the possible risk and dangers associated with the application of each body-piercing or ear-piercing. Signatures of the client, the client's parent or guardian, if applicable, and the body-piercer or ear-piercer must be required on the client disclosure form to acknowledge receipt of both the verbal and written disclosures. Each client and client's parent or guardian, if applicable, must be informed verbally and in writing of aftercare for each piercing.
F. The body-piercing or ear-piercing salon or temporary location must maintain proper records for each client. The information must be permanently recorded and made available for examination by the department or authorized agent. Records must be maintained at the body-piercing or ear-piercing salon for at least two years following the date of the last entry. The temporary location client records must be maintained by the license holder. The permanent records must include the following:
1. The name, address, and telephone number of the client;
2. The date body-piercing was performed;
3. The client's age, date of birth, and a copy of the positive identification provided to the body-piercer or ear-piercer;
4. The specific type of jewelry used for the piercing and, when available, the manufacturer's catalogue or identification number for the type of jewelry used;
5. The location on the body where the body-piercing or ear-piercing was performed;
6. The name of the body-piercer or ear-piercer;
7. A statement that the client has received a copy of applicable written care instructions and that the client has read and understands the instructions; and
8. The signature of the client and, if applicable, parent or guardian.
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.
18VAC41-60-220. Grounds for license revocation or suspension or probation; denial of application, renewal, or reinstatement; or imposition of a monetary penalty.
The board may, in considering the totality of the circumstances, fine any licensee and suspend, place on probation, or revoke or refuse to renew or reinstate any license or deny any application issued under the provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter if the board finds that the licensee or applicant:
1. Is incompetent or negligent in practice, or incapable mentally or physically, as those terms are generally understood in the profession, to (i) practice as a body-piercer, ear-piercer, or ear-piercer earlobe only or (ii) operate a body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon;
2. Is convicted of fraud or deceit in the practice of body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only;
3. Attempts to obtain or obtains, renews, or reinstates a license by false or fraudulent representation;
4. Violates or induces others to violate, or cooperates with others in violating, any of the provisions of this chapter or Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or any local ordinance or regulation governing standards of health and sanitation of the establishment in which bodypiercers, ear-piercers, or ear-piercers earlobe only may practice or offer to practice;
5. Offers, gives, or promises anything of value or benefit to any federal, state, or local employee for the purpose of influencing that employee to circumvent in the performance of the employee's duties any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance governing body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only as defined in § 54.1-700 of the Code of Virginia;
6. Fails to respond to the board or any of its agents or provides false, misleading, or incomplete information to an inquiry by the board or any of its agents;
7. Fails or refuses to allow the board or any of its agents to inspect during reasonable hours any licensed salon for compliance with provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54 of the Code of Virginia or this chapter;
8. Fails to produce, upon request or demand of the board or any of its agents, any document, book, record, or copy thereof in a licensee's or responsible management's possession or maintained in accordance with this chapter;
9. Fails to notify the board of a change of name or address in writing within 30 days of the change for each and every license;
10. Makes any misrepresentation or publishes or causes to be published any advertisement that is false, deceptive, or misleading;
11. Fails to notify the board in writing within 30 days of the suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license, certificate, or permit in connection with a disciplinary action in any other jurisdiction or of any license, certificate, or permit which has been the subject of disciplinary action in any other jurisdiction;
12. Has been convicted or found guilty, regardless of the manner of adjudication in Virginia or any other jurisdiction of the United States, of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, or physical injury or any felony, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having elapsed. Review of convictions shall be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision. The record of a conviction certified or authenticated in such form as to be admissible in evidence under the laws of the jurisdiction where convicted shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction or guilt;
13. Fails to inform the board in writing within 30 days of pleading guilty or nolo contendere or being convicted or found guilty regardless of adjudication of any convictions as stated in subdivision 12 of this section;
14. Allows, as responsible management of a salon, a person who has not obtained a license to practice as a body-piercer, ear-piercer, or ear-piercer earlobe only, unless the person is duly enrolled as an apprentice;
15. Fails to take sufficient measures to prevent transmission of communicable or infectious diseases or fails to comply with sanitary requirements provided for in this chapter or any local, state, or federal law or regulation governing the standards of health and sanitation for the practice of body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only, or the operation of body-piercing, ear-piercing, or ear-piercing earlobe only salon; or
16. Fails to comply with all procedures established by the board and the testing service with regard to conduct at any board 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 29, Issue 26, eff. November 1, 2013; Volume 39, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2023; Volume 42, Issue 6, eff. December 18, 2025.