The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 26: Professions and Occupations

Chapter 079: Tattooists and Body Piercers

• § 4101. Definitions

  As used in this chapter:

  (1) “Anatomical reproduction” is the practice of restoring the appearance of a portion of a person’s body after surgery, accident, or other trauma.

  (2) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation.

  (3) [Repealed.]

  (4) “Operator” means any person who practices tattooing, body piercing, or permanent cosmetics.

  (5) “Practice of body piercing” means the piercing of any part of the body by someone other than a licensed physician who utilizes a needle or other instrument for the purpose of inserting an object into the body for nonmedical purposes. Body piercing includes ear piercing, except when performed on the lower lobe of the ear:

  (A) with an instrument approved by the Director, by rule;

  (B) by the individual on himself or herself;

  (C) by a parent or guardian when the subject of the piercing is a minor; or

  (D) by a household member when the subject of the piercing is an adult.

  (6) “Practice of permanent cosmetics” means microblading and other practices involving placement of a specific type of tattoo that includes permanent eyeliner, permanent lip color, permanent eyebrows, anatomical reproduction, and permanent eye shadow as well as other specific procedures that may be identified by rule by the Director consistent with the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals’ or its successor group’s guidelines.

  (7) “Practice of tattooing” or “practice tattooing” means to place a permanent mark, design, or coloration of a human being by a process of pricking or ingraining an indelible pigment on or in the skin. “Practice of tattooing” or “practice tattooing” does not mean anatomical reproduction when performed under the direction of a physician.

  (8) [Repealed.]

  (9) “Shop” means a facility regularly used to offer or perform the practice of tattooing, body piercing, or permanent cosmetics. (Added 1995, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 49(a); 1999, No. 52, § 38; 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. June 13, 2002; 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 34; 2017, No. 48, § 29; 2021, No. 69, § 7; 2023, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. June 6, 2024.)

• § 4102. Prohibitions

  (a) A person shall not practice tattooing, permanent cosmetics, or body piercing unless that person is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

  (b) A person under 18 years of age shall not practice tattooing, permanent cosmetics, or body piercing.

  (c) A tattooist shall not tattoo a minor without the written consent of the parent or guardian of the minor.

  (d) A person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in 3 V.S.A. § 127. (Added 1995, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. June 13, 2002; 2007, No. 29, § 61; 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 43; 2017, No. 48, § 29.)

• § 4103. Director; function; Commissioner of Health; rules

  (a) The Director shall administer the requirements of this chapter and shall:

  (1) Provide general information to applicants for licensure as an operator.

  (2) Collect fees as provided under this chapter.

  (3) Explain appeal procedures to licensed operators and applicants and complaint procedures to the public.

  (4) Receive applications for licensure, license applicants pursuant to this chapter, renew licenses, and revoke, reinstate, or condition licenses as ordered by an administrative law officer.

  (5) Refer all disciplinary matters to an administrative law officer.

  (b) The Director, after consultation with the Commissioner of Health, shall adopt rules relating to infection control procedures and public health practices to be followed in the practice of tattooing, permanent cosmetics, and body piercing in order to protect the public from communicable diseases. The Commissioner shall also recommend standards of sanitation and sterilization for shops, including standards relating to separate areas and equipment for tattooing and body piercing and recommendations on the use of ear-piercing guns.

  (c) The Director may adopt rules necessary to perform the Director’s duties pursuant to this chapter. These rules may include:

  (1) provisions governing tattooist, body piercer, and permanent cosmetologist apprenticeships; and

  (2) requirements for the supervision and temporary licensure of tattoo artists, body piercers, permanent cosmetologists, and shops as may be necessary to allow this State to be a venue for appropriately regulated special events such as conventions, festivals, or professional conferences.

  (d) The Director may inspect shops used for the practice of tattooing, permanent cosmetics, or body piercing. No fee shall be charged for initial inspections under this subsection; however, if the Director determines that it is necessary to inspect the same premises under the same ownership more than once in any two-year period, a reinspection fee of $100.00 may be charged. The Director may waive all or a part of the reinspection fee in accordance with criteria established by rule. (Added 1995, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 49(a); 1999, No. 52, § 39; 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. June 13, 2002; 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 35; 2017, No. 48, § 29; 2023, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. June 6, 2024.)

• § 4104. Advisor appointees

  (a)(1) The Secretary of State shall appoint one licensed operator practicing tattooing, one licensed operator practicing body piercing, and one licensed operator practicing permanent cosmetics to serve as advisors in matters relating to tattooing, body piercing, and permanent cosmetics.

  (2) Advisors shall have been practicing tattooing, body piercing, or permanent cosmetics for at least the three years immediately preceding appointment and shall actively be engaged in the practice of tattooing, body piercing, and permanent cosmetics in Vermont during incumbency.

  (3) The appointees shall be appointed as set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 129b.

  (b) The Director shall seek the advice of the advisor appointees in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. The advisor appointees shall be entitled to compensation and necessary expenses as provided in 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for attendance at any meeting called by the Director for that purpose. (Added 1995, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. June 13, 2002; 2007, No. 29, § 62; 2013, No. 27, § 46; 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 44; 2017, No. 48, § 29; 2023, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. June 6, 2024.)

• § 4105. License requirements

  (a) Initial registration.

  (1) A person who intends to engage in the practice of tattooing, permanent cosmetics, or body piercing in this State shall register with the Office of Professional Regulation and shall pay the required fee.

  (2) Registration shall be in the form required by the Director and shall include such information as the Director may require concerning the location of the registrant’s practice, the registrant’s qualification, and the nature of the services offered.

  (b) Tattooists and body piercers.

  (1)(A) As a prerequisite to licensure, a tattooist or body piercer applicant shall provide proof of an apprenticeship of at least 1,000 hours of experience obtained within two calendar years working under the direct supervision of a body piercer or tattooist licensed and in good standing with this State or the state in which the body piercer or tattooist is regulated, and who has been in practice a minimum of three years.

  (B) The Director may adopt rules to require additional information from applicants to prove completion of an apprenticeship.

  (2) Apprenticeships shall include successful completion of a three-hour course in universal precautions and infectious diseases.

  (3) Apprentices shall register with the Office prior to beginning the apprenticeship in accordance with rules adopted by the Director.

  (4) As used in this subsection, “good standing” shall mean that the tattooist or body piercer supervisor holds a current, unrestricted license in this State or an unrestricted authorization to practice tattooing or body piercing in another state. A tattooist or body piercer who holds a restricted license or restricted authorization to practice may petition the Director for permission to be a tattooist or body piercer supervisor, which may be granted by the Director for good cause shown.

  (c) Permanent cosmetologists.

  (1)(A) As a prerequisite to licensure for the practice of permanent cosmetics, an applicant shall provide proof of a course of approved study lasting at least 60 hours.

  (B)(i) In addition, the applicant shall obtain at least 40 hours of practical experience, within two calendar years preceding the application, working under the direct supervision of a tattooist or permanent cosmetologist licensed and in good standing with this State or the state in which the tattooist or permanent cosmetologist is regulated, and who has been in practice a minimum of three years.

  (ii) The Director may adopt rules to require additional information from applicants to prove completion of an apprenticeship.

  (2) Training shall include successful completion of a three-hour course in universal precautions and infectious diseases.

  (3) Prior to training and obtaining practical experience, applicants shall register with the Office in accordance with rules adopted by the Director.

  (4) As used in this subsection, “in good standing” shall mean that the permanent cosmetologist or tattooist supervisor holds a current, unrestricted license in this State or an unrestricted authorization to practice permanent cosmetics or tattooing in another state. A permanent cosmetologist or tattooist who holds a restricted license or restricted authorization to practice may petition the Director for permission to be a supervisor, which the Director may grant for good cause shown.

  (d) Shops. A shop shall not operate in this State without first registering with the Office of Professional Regulation and paying a fee of $100.00. Registration shall be in the form required by the Director.

  (1) A shop shall not be granted registration unless the shop complies with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter.

  (2) All shops shall designate a person who is licensed under this chapter in at least one of the professions being practiced in the shop, be it tattooing, body piercing, or permanent cosmetics, who shall be responsible for overall cleanliness and sanitation of the shop.

  (3) The practice of tattooing or body piercing shall be permitted only in registered tattooing and body piercing shops.

  (4) The practice of permanent cosmetics shall be permitted only in:

  (A) a licensed permanent cosmetic shop;

  (B) a cosmetology shop licensed under chapter 6 of this title;

  (C) anywhere the practice of tattooing is permitted;

  (D) on the premises of a health care professional licensed pursuant to this title; and

  (E) on premises meeting the sanitation requirements of this chapter as determined by the Director or as set forth by rule.

  (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, a tattoo shop licensed under this chapter or a cosmetology shop licensed under chapter 6 of this title may provide permanent cosmetics services by a person licensed under this chapter without obtaining an additional shop license for the same premises, provided that the Director may require by rule permanent cosmetologists to report all locations of their practice to the Director as a condition of licensure or license renewal.

  (6) All registered shops shall report to the Director within 48 hours after a change of location. The Director may require shops to undergo a new inspection prior to beginning the practice of tattooing, body piercing, or permanent cosmetics at the new location. The Director may permit a relocated shop to continue operation under its existing registration.

  (e) [Repealed.] (Added 1995, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1999, No. 52, § 40; 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. June 13, 2002; 2003, No. 60, § 21; 2005, No. 27, § 100; 2005, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 43; 2007, No. 29, § 63; 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 36, 45; 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 45; 2017, No. 48, § 29; 2021, No. 69, § 7; 2023, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 16, eff. June 6, 2024.)

• § 4106. Renewals

  (a) Licenses and registrations shall be renewed every two years upon payment of the required fee.

  (b) [Repealed.]

  (c) As a condition of renewal, a licensee or registrant shall submit to the Director proof of at least three hours of continuing education in the area of universal precautions and infectious diseases. (Added 1995, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. June 13, 2002; 2005, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 44; 2017, No. 48, § 29.)

• § 4107. Repealed. 1997, No. 59, § 65(12), eff. June 30, 1997.

• § 4108. Unprofessional conduct

  (a) A licensed or registered operator or applicant shall not engage in unprofessional conduct.

  (b) Unprofessional conduct means the following conduct and conduct set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 129a:

  (1) Using dishonest or misleading advertising.

  (2) Sexual harassment of a client.

  (3) Tattooing or body piercing a minor in violation of the provisions of section 4102 of this title. (Added 1995, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 49(a); 1997, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 62; 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. June 13, 2002; 2017, No. 48, § 29; 2023, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. June 6, 2024.)

• § 4109. Disclosure information

  The Director shall adopt rules requiring licensed operators to disclose to each new client before the first treatment the operator’s professional qualifications and experience, the infection control procedures and public health practices to be followed to protect the public from communicable diseases, the actions that constitute unprofessional conduct, the method for filing a complaint or making a consumer inquiry, and provisions relating to the manner in which the information shall be displayed and signed by both the operator and the client. (Added 1995, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. June 13, 2002; 2017, No. 48, § 29.)