Body Arts

Body art is defined as the practice of physical body adornment using invasive procedures and is an inclusive term for any procedures utilizing body piercing, tattooing, cosmetic tattooing, branding or scarification.

All body art facilities in Jefferson County must operate under a license obtained from the Jefferson County Department of Health. Also, the Jefferson County Department of Health must permit all body art practitioners.

Body art facilities and their operations must conform to the Rules for Body Arts Practice and Facilities. Work areas are required to have barriers which create a partition between the body art recipient and waiting patrons. No smoking, eating or drinking in the work areas is allowed. Sanitary techniques and practices are required during any body art procedure. No one under 18 years of age may receive body art, unless a parent or legal guardian signs a written consent form at the body art facility. If a body art facility conforms to the Rules then the facility is issued a license that must be renewed yearly.

In order for a body art practitioner to be permitted by the Jefferson County Department of Health, the practitioner must successfully complete a blood-borne pathogen course. Practitioners are required to renew their permits every two years. The permit allows them to work in any licensed body art facility.

Each body art facility in Jefferson County is inspected at least twice per year. The inspection does not take into consideration the talent of the practitioner or the quality of their work.

If you have a question concerning body art in Jefferson County, please call 205.930.1201.