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State of Massachusetts

Model Regulations for Body Art Establishments January 23, 2001

Section:

1. Purpose and Scope

2. Definitions

3. Exemptions

4. Restrictions

5. Operation of Body Art Establishments

6. Standards of Practice

7. Injury Reports

8. Complaints

9. Application for Body Art Establishment Permit

10. Application for Body Art Practitioner Permit

11. Grounds for Denial of Permit, Revocation of Permit or Refusal to Renew Permit

12. Grounds for Suspension of Permit

13. Procedure for Hearings

14. Unauthorized Practice of Body Art

15. Severability

1. Purpose and Scope

The purpose of the Model Regulations for Body Art Establishments is to set forth a model

regulatory scheme for use by communities where Boards of Health seek to enact regulations

governing the practice of body art.

2. Definitions

Aftercare means written instructions given to the client, specific to the body art

procedure(s) rendered, about caring for the body art and surrounding area, including

information about when to seek medical treatment, if necessary.

Applicant means any person who applies to the Board of Health for either a body art

establishment permit or practitioner permit.

Autoclave means an apparatus for sterilization utilizing steam pressure at a specific

temperature over a period of time.

Autoclaving means a process which results in the destruction of all forms of microbial

life, including highly resistant spores, by the use of an autoclave for a minimum of thirty

minutes at 20 pounds of pressure (PSI) at a temperature of 270 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

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Bloodborne Pathogens Standard means OSHA Guidelines contained in 29 CFR

1910.1030, entitled "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.”

Board of Health or Board means the Board of Health that has jurisdiction in the

community in which a body art establishment is located including the Board or officer

having like powers and duties in towns where there is no Board of Health.

Body Art means the practice of physical body adornment by permitted establishments

and practitioners using, but not limited to, the following techniques: body piercing,

tattooing, cosmetic tattooing, branding, and scarification. This definition does not include

practices that are considered medical procedures by the Board of Registration in

Medicine, such as implants under the skin, which are prohibited.

Body Art Establishment or establishment means a location, place, or business that has

been granted a permit by the Board, whether public or private, where the practices of

body art are performed, whether or not for profit.

Body Art Practitioner or practitioner means a specifically identified individual who has

been granted a permit by the Board to perform body art in an establishment that has

been granted a permit by the Board.

Body Piercing means puncturing or penetrating the skin of a client with presterilized

single-use needles and the insertion of presterilized jewelry or other adornment into the

opening. This definition excludes piercing of the earlobe with a presterilized single-use

stud-and-clasp system manufactured exclusively for ear-piercing.

Branding means inducing a pattern of scar tissue by use of a heated material (usually

metal) to the skin, making a serious burn, which eventually becomes a scar.

Client means a member of the public who requests a body art procedure at a body art

establishment.

Contaminated Waste means waste as defined in 105 CMR 480.000: Storage and

Disposal of Infectious or Physically Dangerous Medical or Biological Waste, State

Sanitary Code, Chapter VIII.

Department means the Department of Public Health or its authorized representatives.

Disinfectant means a product registered as a disinfectant by the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA).

Disinfection means the destruction of disease-causing microorganisms on inan-imate

objects or surfaces, thereby rendering these objects safe for use or handling.

 

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Ear piercing means the puncturing of the lobe of the ear with a presterilized single-use

stud-and-clasp ear-piercing system following the manufacturer's instructions.

Equipment means all machinery, including fixtures, containers, vessels, tools, devices,

implements, furniture, display and storage areas, sinks, and all other apparatus and

appurtenances used in connection with the operation of a body art establishment.

Hand Sink means a lavatory equipped with hot and cold running water under pressure,

used solely for washing hands, arms, or other portions of the body.

Hot water means water that attains and maintains a temperature 110º-130ºF.

Instruments Used for Body Art means hand pieces, needles, needle bars, and other

instruments that may come in contact with a client's body or may be exposed to bodily

fluids during any body art procedure.

Invasive means entry into the client’s body either by incision or insertion of any

instruments into or through the skin or mucosa, or by any other means intended to

puncture, break, or otherwise compromise the skin or mucosa.

Jewelry means any ornament inserted into a newly pierced area, which must be made of

surgical implant-grade stainless steel; solid 14k or 18k white or yellow gold, niobium,

titanium, or platinum; or a dense, low-porosity plastic, which is free of nicks, scratches,

or irregular surfaces and has been properly sterilized prior to use.

Minor means any person under the age of eighteen (18) years.

Operator means any person who individually, or jointly or severally with others, owns,

or controls an establishment, but is not a body art practitioner.

Permit means Board approval in writing to either (1) operate a body art establish-ment

or (2) operate as a body art practitioner within a body art establishment. Board

approval shall be granted solely for the practice of body art pursuant to these model

regulations. Said permit is exclusive of the establishment’s compliance with other

licensing or permitting requirements that may exist within community or political

subdivision comprising the Board’s jurisdiction.

Person means an individual, any form of business or social organization or any other

non-governmental legal entity, including but not limited to corporations, partnerships,

limited-liability companies, associations, trusts or unincorporated organizations.

 

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Physician means an individual licensed as a qualified physician by the Board of

Registration in Medicine pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112 § 2.

Procedure surface means any surface of an inanimate object that contacts the client's

unclothed body during a body art procedure, skin preparation of the area adjacent to

and including the body art procedure, or any associated work area which may require

sanitizing.

Sanitary means clean and free of agents of infection or disease.

Sanitize means the application of a U.S. EPA registered sanitizer on a cleaned surface in

accordance with the label instructions.

Scarification means altering skin texture by cutting the skin and controlling the body’s

healing process in order to produce wounds, which result in permanently raised wheals

or bumps known as keloids.

Sharps means any object, sterile or contaminated, that may intentionally or accidentally

cut or penetrate the skin or mucosa, including, but not limited to, needle devices,

lancets, scalpel blades, razor blades, and broken glass.

Sharps Container means a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container that can be closed

for handling, storage, transportation, and disposal and that is labeled with the

International Biohazard Symbol.

Single Use Items means products or items that are intended for one-time, one-person

use and are disposed of after use on each client, including, but not limited to, cotton

swabs or balls, tissues or paper products, paper or plastic cups, gauze and sanitary

coverings, razors, piercing needles, scalpel blades, stencils, ink cups, and protective

gloves.

Sterilize means the use of a physical or chemical procedure to destroy all microbial life

including highly resistant bacterial endospores.

Tattoo means the indelible mark, figure or decorative design introduced by insertion of

dyes or pigments into or under the subcutaneous portion of the skin.

Tattooing means any method of placing ink or other pigment into or under the skin or

mucosa by the aid of needles or any other instrument used to puncture the skin, resulting

in permanent coloration of the skin or mucosa. This term includes all forms of cosmetic

tattooing.

 

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Ultrasonic Cleaning Unit means a unit approved by the Board, physically large enough

to fully submerge instruments in liquid, which removes all foreign matter from the

instruments by means of high frequency oscillations transmitted through the contained

liquid.

Universal Precautions means a set of guidelines and controls, published by the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as "Guidelines for Prevention of

Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) to

Health-Care and Public-Safety Workers" in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

(MMWR), June 23, 1989, Vo1.38 No. S-6, and as "Recommendations for Preventing

Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus to Patients

During Exposure-Prone Invasive Procedures" in MMWR, July 12,1991, Vo1.40, No.

RR-8. This method of infection control requires the employer and the employee to

assume that all human blood and specified human body fluids are infectious for HIV,

HBV, and other blood pathogens. Precautions include hand washing; gloving; personal

protective equipment; injury prevention; and proper handling and disposal of needles,

other sharp instruments, and blood and body fluid-contaminated products.

3. Exemptions

(A) Physicians licensed in accordance with M.G.L. c. 112 § 2 who perform body

art procedures as part of patient treatment are exempt from these regulations.

(B) Individuals who pierce only the lobe of the ear with a presterilized single-use

stud-and-clasp ear-piercing system are exempt from these regulations.

4. Restrictions

(A) No tattooing, piercing of genitalia, branding or scarification shall be performed

on a person under the age of 18.

(B) Body piercing, other than piercing the genitalia, may be performed on a person

under the age of 18 provided that the person is accompanied by a properly

identified parent, legal custodial parent or legal guardian who has signed a form

consenting to such procedure.

5. Operation of Body Art Establishments

 

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Unless otherwise ordered or approved by the Board, each body art establishment shall be

constructed, operated and maintained to meet the following minimum requirements:

(A) Physical Plant

(1) Walls, floors, ceilings, and procedure surfaces shall be smooth, free of

open holes or cracks, light-colored, washable, and in good repair.

Walls, floors, and ceilings shall be maintained in a clean condition. All

procedure surfaces, including client chairs/benches, shall be of such

construction as to be easily cleaned and sanitized after each client.

(2) Solid partitions or walls extending from floor to ceiling shall separate the

establishment’s space from any other room used for human habitation,

any food establishment or room where food is prepared, any hair salon,

any retail sales, or any other such activity that may cause potential

contamination of work surfaces.

(3) The establishment shall take all measures necessary to ensure against

the presence or breeding of insects, vermin, and rodents within the

establishment.

(4) Each body art station shall have a minimum of 45 square feet of floor

space for each practitioner. Each establishment shall have an area that

may be screened from public view for clients requesting privacy.

Multiple body art stations shall be separated by a dividers or partition at

a minimum.

(5) The establishment shall be well ventilated and provided with an artificial

light source equivalent to at least 20 foot candles 3 feet off the floor,

except that at least 100 foot candles shall be provided at the level

where the body art procedure is being performed, and where

instruments and sharps are assembled.

(6) A separate, readily accessible hand sink with hot and cold running

water under pressure, preferably equipped with wrist- or foot-operated

controls and supplied with liquid soap, and disposable paper towels

stored in fixed dispensers shall be readily accessible within the

establishment. Each operator area shall have a hand sink.

(7) There shall be a minimum of one toilet room containing a toilet and sink.

The toilet room shall be provided with toilet paper, liquid hand soap and

paper towels stored in a fixed dispenser.

 

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(8) At least one covered, foot operated waste receptacle shall be provided

in each operator area and each toilet room. Receptacles in the operator

area shall be emptied daily. Solid waste shall be stored in covered,

leakproof, rodent-resistant containers and shall be removed from the

premises at least weekly.

(9) At least one janitorial sink shall be provided in each body art

establishment for use in cleaning the establishment and proper disposal

of non-contaminated liquid wastes in accordance with all applicable

Federal, state and local laws. Said sink shall be of adequate size

equipped with hot and cold running water under pressure and permit the

cleaning of the establishment and any equipment used for cleaning.

(10) All instruments and supplies shall be stored in clean, dry, and covered

containers. Containers shall be kept in a secure area specifically

dedicated to the storage of all instruments and supplies.

(11) The establishment shall have a cleaning area. Every cleaning area shall

have an area for the placement of an autoclave or other sterilization unit

located or positioned a minimum of 36 inches from the required

ultrasonic cleaning unit.

(12) The establishment shall have a customer waiting area, exclusive and

separate from any workstation, instrument storage area, cleaning area

or any other area in the body art establishment used for body art

activity.

(13) No animals of any kind shall be allowed in a body art establishment

except service animals used by persons with disabilities (e.g., Seeing

Eye dogs). Fish aquariums shall be allowed in waiting rooms and

nonprocedural areas.

(14) Smoking, eating, or drinking is prohibited in the area where body art is

performed, with the exception of fluids being offered to a client during

or after a body art procedure.

(B) Requirements for Single Use Items Including Inks, Dyes and Pigments

(1) Single-use items shall not be used on more than one client for any

reason. After use, all single-use sharps shall be immediately disposed of

in approved sharps containers pursuant to 105 CMR 480.000.

 

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(2) All products applied to the skin, such as but not limited to body art

stencils, applicators, gauze and razors, shall be single use and

disposable.

(3) Hollow bore needles or needles with a cannula shall not be reused.

(4) All inks, dyes, pigments, solid core needles, and equipment shall be

specifically manufactured for performing body art procedures and shall

be used according to manufacturer's instructions.

(5) Inks, dyes or pigments may be mixed and may only be diluted with

water from an approved potable source. Immediately before a tattoo is

applied, the quantity of the dye to be used shall be transferred from the

dye bottle and placed into single-use paper cups or plastic caps. Upon

completion of the tattoo, these single-use cups or caps and their

contents shall be discarded.

(C) Sanitation and Sterilization Measures and Procedures

(1) All non-disposable instruments used for body art, including all reusable

solid core needles, pins and stylets, shall be cleaned thoroughly after

each use by scrubbing with an appropriate soap or disinfectant solution

and hot water, (to remove blood and tissue residue), and shall be

placed in an ultrasonic unit operated in accordance with manufacturer's

instructions.

(2) After being cleaned, all non-disposable instruments used for body art

shall be packed individually in sterilizer packs and subsequently

sterilized in a steam autoclave. All sterilizer packs shall contain either a

sterilizer indicator or internal temperature indicator. Sterilizer packs

must be dated with an expiration date not to exceed six (6) months.

(3) The autoclave shall be used, cleaned, and maintained according to

manufacturer's instruction. A copy of the manufacturer's recommended

procedures for the operation of the autoclave must be available for

inspection by the Board. Autoclaves shall be located away from

workstations or areas frequented by the public.

(4) Each holder of a permit to operate a body art establishment shall

demonstrate that the autoclave used is capable of attaining sterilization

by monthly spore destruction tests. These tests shall be verified through

an independent laboratory. The permit shall not be issued or renewed

until documentation of the autoclave’s ability to destroy spores is

 

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received by the Board. These test records shall be retained by the

operator for a period of three (3) years and made available to the

Board upon request.

(5) All instruments used for body art procedures shall remain stored in

sterile packages until just prior to the performance of a body art

procedure. After sterilization, the instruments used in body art

procedures shall be stored in a dry, clean cabinet or other tightly

covered container reserved for the storage of such instruments.

(6) Sterile instruments may not be used if the package has been breached

or after the expiration date without first repackaging and resterilizing.

(7) If the body art establishment uses only sterile single-use, disposable

instruments and products, and uses sterile supplies, an autoclave shall

not be required.

(8) When assembling instruments used for body art procedures, the

operator shall wear disposable medical gloves and use medically

recognized techniques to ensure that the instruments and gloves are not

contaminated.

(9) Reusable cloth items shall be mechanically washed with detergent and

dried after each use. The cloth items shall be stored in a dry, clean

environment until used.

(D) Posting Requirements

The following shall be prominently displayed:

(1) A Disclosure Statement, a model of which shall be available from the

Department. A Disclosure Statement shall also be given to each client,

advising him/her of the risks and possible consequences of body art

procedures.

(2) The name, address and phone number of the local Board of Health that

has jurisdiction and the procedure for filing a complaint.

(3) An Emergency Plan, including:

(a) a plan for the purpose of contacting police, fire or emergency

medical services in the event of an emergency;

 

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(b) a telephone in good working order shall be easily available and

accessible to all employees and clients during all hours of operation;

and

(c) a sign at or adjacent to the telephone indicating the correct

emergency telephone numbers.

(4) An occupancy and use permit as issued by the local building official.

(5) A current establishment permit.

(6) Each practitioner’s permit.

(E) Establishment Recordkeeping

The establishment shall maintain the following records in a secure place for a minimum

of three (3) years, and such records shall be made available to the Board upon request:

(1) Establishment information, which shall include:

(a) establishment name;

(b) hours of operation;

(c) owner's name and address;

(d) a complete description of all body art procedures performed;

(e) an inventory of all instruments and body jewelry, all sharps, and all

inks used for any and all body art procedures, including names of

manufacturers and serial or lot numbers, if applicable. Invoices or

packing slips shall satisfy this requirement;

(f) A Material Safety Data Sheet, when available, for each ink and dye

used by the establishment; and

(g) a copy of these regulations.

(2) Employee information, which shall include:

(a) full names and exact duties;

(b) date of birth;

(c) home address;

(d) home /work phone numbers; and

(3) Client Information, which shall include:

(a) name;

(b) date of birth;

(c) address of the client;

(d) date of the procedure;

(e) name of the practitioner who performed the procedure(s);

 

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(f) description of procedure(s) performed and the location on the

body;

(g) a signed consent form as specified by 6(D )(2); and,

(h) if the client is a person under the age of 18, proof of parental or

guardian identification, presence and consent including a copy of the

photographic identification of the parent or guardian.

(4) Client information shall be kept confidential at all times.

(F) The establishment shall require that all body art practitioners have either

completed, or were offered and declined, in writing, the hepatitis B vaccination

series. Records documenting compliance with this requirement shall be

provided to the Board upon request.

6. Standards of Practice

Practitioners are required to comply with the following minimum health standards:

(A) A practitioner shall perform all body art procedures in accordance with

Universal Precautions set forth by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention.

(B) A practitioner shall refuse service to any person who may be under the influence

of alcohol or drugs.

(C) Practitioners who use ear-piercing systems must conform to the manufacturers

directions for use, and to applicable U.S. Food and Drug Administration

requirements. No practitioner shall use an ear piercing system on any part of

the client’s body other than the lobe of the ear.

(D) Health History and Client Informed Consent. Prior to performing a body art

procedure on a client, the practitioner shall:

(1) Inform the client, verbally and in writing that the following health

conditions may increase health risks associated with receiving a body

art procedure:

(a) history of diabetes;

(b) history of hemophilia (bleeding);

(c) history of skin diseases, skin lesions, or skin sensitivities to soaps,

disinfectants etc.;

 

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(d) history of allergies or adverse reactions to pigments, dyes, or other

sensitivities;

(e) history of epilepsy, seizures, fainting, or narcolepsy;

(f) use of medications such as anticoagulants, which thin the blood

and/or interfere with blood clotting; and

(g) any other conditions such as hepatitis or HIV.

(2) Require that the client sign a form confirming that the above information

was provided, that the client does not have a condition that prevents

them from receiving body art, that the client consents to the

performance of the body art procedure and that the client has been

given the aftercare instructions as required by section 6(K).

(E) A practitioner shall maintain the highest degree of personal cleanliness, conform

to best standard hygienic practices, and wear clean clothes when performing

body art procedures. Before performing body art procedures, the practitioner

must thoroughly wash their hands in hot running water with liquid soap, then

rinse hands and dry with disposable paper towels. This shall be done as often

as necessary to remove contaminants.

(F) In performing body art procedures, a practitioner shall wear disposable single-use

gloves. Gloves shall be changed if they become pierced, torn, or otherwise

contaminated by contact with any unclean surfaces or objects or by contact

with a third person. The gloves shall be discarded, at a minimum, after the

completion of each procedure on an individual client, and hands shall be washed

in accordance with section (E) before the next set of gloves is put on. Under no

circumstances shall a single pair of gloves be used on more than one person.

The use of disposable single-use gloves does not preclude or substitute for

handwashing procedures as part of a good personal hygiene program.

(G) The skin of the practitioner shall be free of rash or infection. No practitioner

affected with boils, infected wounds, open sores, abrasions, weeping

dermatological lesions or acute respiratory infection shall work in any area of a

body art establishment in any capacity in which there is a likelihood that that

person could contaminate body art equipment, supplies, or working surfaces

with body substances or pathogenic organisms.

(H) Any item or instrument used for body art that is contaminated during the

procedure shall be discarded and replaced immediately with a new disposable

item or a new sterilized instrument or item before the procedure resumes.

(I) Preparation and care of a client’s skin area must comply with the following:

 

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(1) Any skin or mucosa surface to receive a body art procedure shall be

free of rash or any visible infection.

(2) Before a body art procedure is performed, the immediate skin area and

the areas of skin surrounding where body art procedure is to be placed

shall be washed with soap and water or an approved surgical skin

preparation. If shaving is necessary, single-use disposable razors or

safety razors with single-service blades shall be used. Blades shall be

discarded after each use, and reusable holders shall be cleaned and

autoclaved after use. Following shaving, the skin and surrounding area

shall be washed with soap and water. The washing pad shall be

discarded after a single use.

(3) In the event of bleeding, all products used to stop the bleeding or to

absorb blood shall be single use, and discarded immediately after use in

appropriate covered containers, and disposed of in accordance with

105 CMR 480.000.

(J) Petroleum jellies, soaps, and other products used in the application of stencils

shall be dispensed and applied on the area to receive a body art procedure with

sterile gauze or other sterile applicator to prevent contamination of the original

container and its contents. The applicator or gauze shall be used once and then

discarded.

(K) The practitioner shall provide each client with verbal and written instructions on

the aftercare of the body art site. The written instructions shall advise the client:

(1) on the proper cleansing of the area which received the body art;

(2) to consult a health care provider for:

(a) unexpected redness, tenderness or swelling at the site of the body

art procedure;

(b) any rash;

(c) unexpected drainage at or from the site of the body art procedure;

or

(d) a fever within 24 hours of the body art procedure; and

(3) of the address, and phone number of the establishment.

A copy shall be provided to the client. A model set of aftercare instructions

shall be made available by the Department.

(L) Contaminated waste shall be stored, treated and disposed in accordance with

105 CMR 480.000: Storage and Disposal of Infectious or Physically

Dangerous Medial or Biological Waster, State Sanitary Code, Chapter VIII.

 

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7. Injury Reports

A written report of any injury, infection complication or disease as a result of a body art

procedure, or complaint of injury, infection complication or disease, shall be forwarded by the

operator to the Board which issued the permit, with a copy to the injured client within five

working days of its occurrence or knowledge thereof. The report shall include:

(A) the name of the affected client;

(B) the name and location of the body art establishment involved;

(C) the nature of the injury, infection complication or disease;

(D) the name and address of the affected client’s health care provider, if any;

(E) any other information considered relevant to the situation.

8. Complaints

(A) The Board shall investigate complaints received about an establishment or

practitioner’s practices or acts, which may violate any provision of the Board's

regulations.

(B) If the Board finds that an investigation is not required because the alleged act or

practice is not in violation of the Board's regulations, then the Board shall notify

the complainant of this finding and the reasons on which it is based.

(C) If the Board finds that an investigation is required, because the alleged act or

practice may be in violation of the Board's regulations, the Board shall

investigate and if a finding is made that the act or practice is in violation of the

Board's regulations, then the Board shall apply whatever enforcement action is

appropriate to remedy the situation and shall notify the complainant of its action

in this manner.

9. Application for Body Art Establishment Permit

(A) No person may operate a body art establishment except with a valid permit from

the Board.

(B) Applications for a permit shall be made on forms prescribed by and available

from the Board. An applicant shall submit all information required by the form

and accompanying instructions. The term “application” as used herein shall

include the original and renewal applications.



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(C) An establishment permit shall be valid from the date of issuance and shall

automatically expire in one (1) year from the date of issuance unless revoked

sooner by the Board.

(D) The Board shall require that the applicant provide, at a minimum, the following

information in order to be issued an establishment permit:

(1) Name, address, and telephone number of:

(a) the body art establishment;

(b) the operator of the establishment; and

(c) the body art practitioner(s) working at the establishment;

(2) The manufacturer, model number, model year, and serial number,

where applicable, of the autoclave used in the establishment;

(3) A signed and dated acknowledgement that the applicant has received,

read and understood the requirements of the Board’s body art

regulations;

(4) A drawing of the floor plan of the proposed establishment to scale for a

plan review by the Board, as part of the permit application process;

and,

(5) Such additional information as the Board may reasonably require.

(E) The Board shall set a reasonable fee for such permit.

(F) A permit for a body art establishment shall not be transferable from one place or

person to another.

10. Application for Body Art Practitioner Permit

(A) No person shall practice body art or perform any body art procedure without

first obtaining a practitioner permit from the Board. The Board shall set a

reasonable fee for such permits.

(B) A practitioner shall be a minimum of 18 years of age.

(C) A practitioner permit shall be valid from the date of issuance and shall

automatically expire in two (2) years from the date of issuance unless revoked

sooner by the Board.

 

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(D) Application for a practitioner permit shall include:

(1) name;

(2) date of birth;

(3) residence address;

(4) mailing address;

(5) phone number;

(6) place(s) of employment as a practitioner; and

(7) training and/or experience as set out in (E) below.

(E) Practitioner Training and Experience

(1) In reviewing and application for a practitioner permit, the Board may

consider experience, training and/or certification acquired in other states

that regulate body art.

(2) Training for all practitioners shall be approved by the Board and, at a

minimum, shall include the following:

(a) bloodborne pathogen training program (or equivalent) which

includes infectious disease control; waste disposal; handwashing

techniques; sterilization equipment operation and methods; and

sanitization, disinfection and sterilization methods and

techniques; and

(b) First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Examples of courses approved by the Board include "Preventing

Disease Transmission" (American Red Cross) and "Bloodborne

Pathogen Training" (U.S. OSHA). Training/courses provided by

professional body art organizations or associations or by equipment

manufacturers may also be submitted to the Board for approval.

(3) The applicant for a body piercing practitioner permit shall provide

documentation, acceptable to the Board, that s/he completed a course

on anatomy, completed an examination on anatomy, or possesses an

equivalent combination of training and experience deemed acceptable to

the Board.

(4) The applicant for a tattoo practitioner permit shall provide

documentation, acceptable to the Board, that s/he completed a course

on skin diseases, disorders and conditions, including diabetes, or

completed an examination on skin diseases, disorders and conditions,



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including diabetes, or possesses a combination of training and

experience deemed acceptable to the Board.

(F) A practitioner’s permit shall be conditioned upon continued compliance with all

applicable provisions of these model regulations.

11. Grounds for Denial of Permit, Revocation of Permit, or Refusal to Renew

Permit

(A) The Board may deny a permit, revoke a permit or refuse to renew a permit on

the following grounds, each of which, in and of itself, shall constitute full and

adequate grounds for revocation or refusal to renew:

(1) any actions which would indicate that the health or safety of the public

would be at risk;

(2) fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in obtaining a permit, or its renewal;

(3) criminal conduct which the Board determines to be of such a nature as

to render the establishment, practitioner or applicant unfit to practice

body art as evidenced by criminal proceedings resulting in a conviction,

guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere or an admission of sufficient

facts;

(4) any present or past violation of the Board’s regulations governing the

practice of body art;

(5) practicing body art while the ability to practice is impaired by alcohol,

drugs, physical disability or mental instability;

(6) being habitually drunk or being dependent on, or a habitual user of

narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens, or other drugs

having similar effects;

(7) knowingly permitting, aiding or abetting an unauthorized person to

perform activities requiring a permit;

(8) continuing to practice while his/her permit is lapsed, suspended, or

revoked; and



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(9) having been disciplined in another jurisdiction in any way by the proper

permitting authority for reasons substantially the same as those set forth

in the Board's regulations.

(10) other just and sufficient cause which the Board may determine would

render the establishment, practitioner or applicant unfit to practice body

art;

(B) The Board shall notify an applicant, establishment or practitioner in writing of

any violation of the Board's regulations, for which the Board intends to deny,

revoke, or refuse to renew a permit. The applicant, establishment or

practitioner shall have seven (7) days after receipt of such written notice in

which to comply with the Board's regulations. The Board may deny, revoke or

refuse to renew a permit, if the applicant, establishment or practitioner fails to

comply after said seven (7) days.

(C) Applicants denied a permit may reapply at any time after denial.

12. Grounds for Suspension of Permit

The Board may summarily suspend a permit pending a final hearing on the merits on the

question of revocation if, based on the evidence before it, the Board determines that an

establishment and/or a practitioner is an immediate and serious threat to the public health, safety

or welfare. The suspension of a permit shall take effect immediately upon written notice of such

suspension by the Board.

13. Procedure for Hearings

(A) Suspension of a Permit

(1) After a Board suspension of a permit, a hearing shall be initiated

pursuant to 801 CMR 1.00 et seq. (Standard Adjudicatory Rules of

Practice and Procedure), no later than twenty-one (21) calendar days

after the effective date of the suspension.

(2) Upon written request to the Board of Health, the establishment or

practitioner shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard concerning the

suspension of the permit by the Board.

(3) In cases of suspension of a permit, the hearing officer shall determine

whether the Board has proved by a preponderance of the evidence that

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there existed immediately prior to or at the time of the suspension an

immediate and serious threat to the public health, safety or welfare. The

hearing officer shall issue a written decision, which contains a summary

of the testimony and evidence considered and the reasons for the

decision.

(B) Denial, Revocation, or Refusal to Renew a Permit

(1) If the Board determines that a permit shall be denied, revoked, or not

renewed pursuant to the Board's regulations, the Board shall initiate a

hearing in accordance with 801 CMR 1.00 et seq.

(2) Following the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a written

(3) decision that contains a summary of the testimony and evidence

considered and the reasons for the decision.

14. Unauthorized Practice of Body Art

The Board shall refer to the appropriate District Attorney, Attorney General, or other law

enforcement official any incidents of unauthorized practice of body art.

15. Severability

If any provision contained in the model regulations is deemed invalid for any reason, it shall be

severed and shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.



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