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About Body Piercing

Body piercing, a form of body art, is the act of penetrating the skin to make, generally permanent in nature, a hole, mark, or scar. It does not include the use of a mechanized, pre-sterilized ear-piercing system that penetrates the outer perimeter or lobe of the ear or both.

In 1999, the Florida Legislature passed section 381.0075, Florida Statutes (F.S.) , regulating the body-piercing industry.  Chapter 64E-19, Florida Administrative Code [F.A.C.] (40kb PDF) contains the rules that were written to implement the statute.

Making an Informed Decision

To assist in making and informed decision, the department also has developed a brochure containing 10 common questions related to body piercing. You can download the brochure in pdf format (1.6mb ) or it is available by contacting the body piercing program.

Training Requirements for Piercers and Operators

Operators and piercers (defined in subsection 381.0075(2), F.S. , and section 64E-19.002, F.A.C.(40kb PDF ), respectively) must be trained in infection control procedures prior to licensure of a body-piercing salon.  Upon request, training course curriculum is reviewed by the Department of Health, Bureau of Community Environmental Health, to ensure that good infection control procedures are taught to minimize the risk of injury and infection that can result from body piercing procedures. Training providers must have the required knowledge, experience, and credentials (12kb PDF).

News in the Program

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

The department has begun promulgation of Chapter 64E-19, F.A.C. The proposed changes address the devices used to pierce the skin, building and equipment requirements, and training of operators and piercers. Questions or comments can be directed to (Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead contact these offices by phone or in writing) Ed Golding at the Bureau of Community Environmental Health, HSEC, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN A08, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1710. Dr. Golding can be reached by telephone at (850) 245-4277.

The following language is proposed and is not effective until the rule promulgation process has been completed:

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64E-19.002 Definitions

(1) - (11) No changes.

(12) "Instruments" means hand pieces, needles, and other tools that

may come in contact with a customer's body or be exposed to body fluids during body-piercing procedures.

(13) - (19) No changes.

(20) "Single use" - means products or items that are intended for one-time, one-person use and are disposed of after use on each customer such as, cotton swabs or balls, tissues or paper products, paper or plastic cups, gauze and sanitary coverings, razors, instruments that pierce the skin, piercing needles, scalpel blades, and protective gloves.

(21) - (22) No changes.

64E-19.004 Requirements For Premises

(1) - (14) No changes.

(15) Body-piercing salons not in full compliance with the building and equipment requirements of this section on the effective date of this chapter, shall have six months from the effective date of this chapter to comply with these requirements; provided that no complaints of injury validated by the department are reported to the department during that time period; further provided that no uncorrected sanitary nuisances, as defined by chapter 386, F.S., occur at the salon during that time period. This subsection does not apply to temporary establishments.

64E-19.006 Piercing Procedures

(1) - (3) No changes.

(4) Only jewelry and instruments single use needles that are sterilized and free of nicks, scratches, or irregular surfaces, and prepackaged single use sterile gauze or cotton swabs shall be used in piercing procedures. Jewelry must meet the requirements of subparagraph 381.0075(11)(a)5., F.S.

(5) - (8) No changes.

64E-19.007 Other Operations

(1) - (5) No changes.

(6) Training.

(a) - (c) No changes.

(d) Operators and piercers must complete the required training prior to assuming responsibilities in a salon. according to the following time frames:

1. Operators hired on or after the effective date of this chapter must complete the required training prior to assuming responsibilities in a salon.

2. Operators and piercers hired before the effective date of this chapter must complete the required training prior to a salon being licensed.

Dermal Anchoring

Dermal anchoring, also referred to as microdermal(s), anchors, and transdermals are single point piercings that consist of a point of entry but not a point of exit. Uniquely designed jewelry is inserted into the pierced area and sits below the skin where it becomes anchored. Jewelry removal may require surgical removal by a medical professional. Additional information about dermal anchoring can be found in The Point (pdf <1mb, opens in new window), a publication by the Association for Professional Piercers.

Jewelry

Subparagraph 381.0075(11)(a)5, F.S., requires that body piercing salons use only jewelry that is made of implant grade high-quality stainless steel, solid gold of at least 14K weight, niobium, titanium, platinum, a dense, low-porosity plastic, or silver and that is free of nicks, scratches, or irregular surfaces for new piercings.

It has been found that new body piercings heal quicker with highly polished jewelry, which is fabricated from high-quality metals, such as implant grade stainless steel and titanium. ASTM International (ASTM) has developed standardized specifications for steel mills that manufacture the various grades of metals. Implant grade high-quality stainless steel must be manufactured to meet ASTM F 138-08 and implant grade titanium must be manufactured to meet ASTM F136 - 08e1.

Rules, Applications, and Forms

All the files are in pdf format. If your computer cannot read pdf files, you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader, at no charge, from the Adobe Internet site at http://www.adobe.com (opens in new window). All the links below open a new window.

In accordance with section 381.0075, F.S ., and Chapter 64E-19, F.A.C. (40kb PDF ), body-piercing salons and temporary establishments require an operating license that is subject to annual renewal.  To apply for a license, complete the application form (10kb PDF ) and submit it along with the required license fee to the licensing county health department.

The regulations also require operators of body-piercing salons and temporary establishments to report any injury or complaint of injury, suspected infections that required treatment by a licensed practitioner, or any notifiable diseases resulting from the body piercing procedures. A completed injury-report form (11kb PDF ) should be sent to the licensing county health department within 72 hours of the operator becoming aware of the complaint or condition.

Additionally, the following four forms are provided as a service to assist body piercing salons in complying with the record keeping requirements of Chapter 64E-19, Florida Administrative Code. Use of these specific forms is voluntary and is not required by the Department of Health.

Autoclave Log (19kb PDF)
Customer Record (20kb PDF)
Piercer/Operator Record (16kb PDF)
Notarized Consent Form (15kb PDF)

Contacts - Comments and Suggestions

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing (F.S. 668.6076)

General questions concerning the body-piercing program may be directed via e-mail to Gina Vallone-Hood or Ed Golding at the Bureau of Community Environmental Health, HSEC, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A08, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1710. Ms. Vallone-Hood or Dr. Golding can be reached by telephone at (850) 245-4277.

We welcome your comments and suggestions. They will be used to improve the services provided by this website and can be directed via e-mail.