FACILITY PROGRAMS

• Biomedical Waste
• Black Henna
• Body Piercing
• Certification of Environmental Health Professional
• Food Hygiene
• Group Care Facilities
• Internship in Environmental Health
• Migrant Labor Camps
• Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Parks
• Tanning Facilities
• Tattoo Program

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.) , providing guidance for operation of 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 an 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 for Piercers and Operators

Operators and piercers (defined in section 381.0075, F.S. , and section 64E-19.002, F.A.C.(40kb PDF ), respectively) need training 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 Environmental Health, Facility Programs, 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

Chapter 64E-19, F.A.C., has been updated.

There is a new version of Chapter 64E-19, F.A.C. (40kb PDF) The following is a summary of the changes.

The body piercing statute, section 381.0075, F.S., , contains the word "instruments" and the phrase "instruments that pierce the skin" when referring to devices used in a piercing procedure. The original body piercing rule language deviated from the statutory language by allowing "only single-use needles" and thus disallowed the use of other devices commonly used in the body piercing industry. We removed the rule word "needles" and inserted the word "instruments" in order to maintain consistency with statutory language and provide flexibility to body piercers who use devices other than needles. We also removed the words "scalpel blades" from the rule language because scalpel blades should not be used by body piercers.

The statute states that jewelry used in body piercings must be "free of nicks, scratches, or irregular surfaces." This is to reduce the jewelry surface area that might harbor pathogens. We included rule language that also states that instruments used during a piercing procedure must be "free of nicks, scratches, or irregular surfaces."

We also deleted two rules that were time-limited when the code was originally promulgated because those time limits were long expired. The first of those stated that building and equipment requirements were to be in compliance within six months after the start of the program and the second established the time frames for original training of body piercers and salon operators.

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 (F.S. 668.6076)) Gina Vallone-Hood or Penny Barwick at the Bureau of Environmental Health, Facility Programs, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN A08, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1710. Ms. Vallone-Hood and Ms. Barwick can be reached by telephone at (850) 245-4277.

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 sometimes only may be accomplished through 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., states that body piercing salons must 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 .

In accordance with section 381.0075, F.S ., and Chapter 64E-19, F.A.C. (40kb PDF), body-piercing salons and temporary establishments need an operating license that is renewed annually.  To apply for a license, complete the application form (21kb PDF) and submit it along with the license fee to the licensing county health department.

(NOTE: Before applying for any body-piercing license, please contact your local County Health Department for current information concerning the correct mailing address and any local fee.)

The statute and rules also state that operators of body-piercing salons and temporary establishments must 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 (51kb 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 following the record keeping guidance set forth in Chapter 64E-19, Florida Administrative Code. Use of these specific forms is voluntary and you may design and use your own forms if you prefer.

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 Penny Barwick at the Facility Programs Section, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A08, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1710. Ms. Vallone-Hood or Ms. Barwick 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.