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There remain in truth 2 kinds of licenses for tattoo art in the state of Virginia.
These are:
- Licenses for the tattoo musician (the individual performing the real tattoo art or body piercing)
- licenses for tattoo establishments (the tattoo studio).
Concerning the Virginia Tattooer License
Virginia Tattoo Certificate Price
- The present cost of a new certificate is $105.
- The present price of a revival permit is $105.
Virginia Tattoo License Legitimacy Duration
Tattooer licenses end 2 years from the last day of the month in which they were provided.
As an example, if you obtain your certificate on September 3, 2025, it will expire on September 31, 2027.
Getting a Virginia Tattooer License
Educating Requirements to Work in a VA Tattoo Studio
Educating Program or Instruction
Your first step in obtaining a tattoo certificate is to speak to the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology. You will normally be required to complete an accepted tattoo training program in a Virginia accredited school of tattooing or carry out an approved apprenticeship.
Option 1: Tattoo School
Virginia approved tattoo colleges programs will certainly cover all facets of working as a tattoo musician, such as:
- Condition control and proper sanitation for avoidance of bloodborne pathogens like HIV and hepatitis B.
- Avoidance and reduction of allergic reactions
- Antiseptic treatments
- Permanent coloration and body puncturing ideal practices and methods
- First aid and emergency monitoring.
Join Us Download 762 Virginia PDF form website
Choice 2: Instruction for Virginia Tattoo Artists
Bloodborne Microorganisms Educating
Official Apprenticeship needs might be discovered at this web link.
- 350 hours covering microbiology, booster shot, safety and security, bloodborne virus standards, specialist criteria, composition, and Virginia tattooing laws and guidelines.
- 150 hours covering hygiene and disinfection.
- 1000 hours spent doing useful applications of all educational program topics above and a total amount of 100 tattooing performances.

You need to complete this form when your instruction is ended up.
You will certainly need to take an OSHA certified Bloodborne Microorganisms Certification for Tattoo Artists program. BBP qualification is valid for one year from issue and must be renewed each year as a different requirement from the tattooer permit itself.
Tattoo Certificate Examination: Virginia
After you have finished your tattoo training course or apprenticeship, you have to take and pass the VA Tattooer Concept Exam which is delivered by means of Expert Credential Providers.
This calls for applying for the examination and paying the $86 test fee.
You will certainly require to publish a 2″ x 2 passport photo with your application.
Within 5 schedule days of submitting your application form, you will be alerted using email if you are eligible to take the test. If you are, then they will certainly enable you to sign up a test time and area.
Exams for body piercing and tattooing might be re-taken an endless amount of times in a 1 year duration.
Requirements when Functioning as a VA Tattoo Musician
When you have actually passed the test, you will certainly be issued your tattooer certificate.
If you are functioning as a body art specialist in Virginia, you should follow the Center for Disease Control’s Universal Blood and Body Precautions.
You have to provide all clients with please notes concerning the threat of infection, allergies, and the use of ideal anesthetic during tattooing. You need to additionally offer information concerning blood birthed pathogens and various other potentially transmittable materials.
Because tattoos are identified as masterpieces, they undergo copyright legislations in Virginia. If you are not sure whether copyright law infractions have happened, you might desire to call a lawyer.
Virginia: Area Specific Needs
If your county has added guidelines, you can examine them right here.
Moving a Tattoo Permit to Virginia
If you hold a license in a various state, get in touch with the Board by calling (804) 367-8509.
Tattoo Studios and Tattoo Service Demands
Tattoo facilities have to likewise be licensed.
If you run a tattoo studio or other similar establishment in the permanent cosmetics, microblading or tattoo market, it is compulsory that you have a certificate.
If you are the proprietor but do not execute any type of body piercing or permanent compose procedures, you still require to have a license as long as the facilities are certified.
Licenses for tattooing and body puncturing do not automatically transfer between states. So, it is essential that you look into the general needs for tattooing if you intend on relocating.
You can locate the policies and regulations about your certificate transfer on the website for the Board of Barbers and Cosmetology.
Virginia Tattooing – Vital Realities:
- If you tattoo without a certificate, you could be condemned of a Class 1 Offense, punishable by one year behind bars and a fine of approximately $2,500.
- An Adult Authorization Kind for minors must be completed to tattoo any person under 18. The lawful tattoo age for an individual in Virginia is 18. Virginia legislations specify that if you are a small, you may obtain a tattoo if you have a parent or guardian indication a composed authorization kind first. This moms and dad or legal guardian must also exist while the tattooing procedure is executed.
- If you do not have the previously mentioned approval form finished, you could be found guilty of a Course 1 Misdemeanor, unless you are a medical doctor or signed up nurse finishing the tattoo as part of a medical treatment.
Recap
If you want getting a tattoo license in Virginia, it is very important to acquaint on your own with the state requirements. In order to obtain a tattoo permit in VA, you should go to least 18 years old and have finished an approved training program.
When you get your permit, guarantee you follow every one of the health and wellness guidelines to maintain both yourself and your customers safe.
By following these standards you can ensure that every person has a fantastic experience when obtaining tattooed in Virginia.
