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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Body Piercing

Environmental Health

  •  (850) 653-2111, ext. 7033
  •  

    Fax

    (850) 653-9896
  •  

    Mailing Address

    Florida Department of Health Franklin County 

    139 12th Street 

    Apalachicola, Florida 32320 

*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF).  The free Adobe Reader may be required to view these files.

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.

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).

The initial formal training course listed on this site teaches infection control procedures, including safety, sanitation, and sterilization requirements and standard precautions for preventing the transmission of infectious diseases, as well as the requirements of section 381.0075, F.S., and Chapter 64E-19, F.A.C., and the refresher training course may teach one or more of these subjects.  Please note, these courses do not teach body piercing technique, nor does the Department of Health maintain a list of such courses or schools. 

In Florida, operators and piercers, as defined in section 381.0075, F.S., and section 64E-19.002, F.A.C.(40kb PDF ), respectively, are required to complete an initial formal training course prior to licensure of a body piercing salon or practicing body piercing in Florida.  Annually thereafter, operators and piercers may complete an initial formal course or a refresher course.  Please note, an initial.  Please note, an initial formal course must be completed prior to completing a refresher course in accordance with section 64E-19.007, F.A.C.

Upon request, training course curriculum is reviewed by the Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health, Facility Programs, to ensure compliance with the requirements of Chapter 64E-19, F.A.C., and section 381.0075, F.S.  Persons interested in requesting review of their curriculum should contact the Body Piercing Program for additional information.

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 and implant grade titanium must be manufactured to meet ASTM F136.

Piercing of a Minor

Minors. - A person may not perform body piercing on a minor without the written notarized consent (17.3 KB) of the minor's parent or legal guardian, and an establishment may not perform body piercing on a minor under the age of 16 unless the minor is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian as specified in section 381.0075, Florida Statutes.

This act constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, Florida Statutes.

Complaints concerning the piercing of a minor should be reported to the local law enforcement agency as well as the local Departmentoffice having jurisdiction of the body piercing program.

Rules, Applications, and Forms

A piercer is not required to have a body-piercing license, but is required to complete a course in accordance with Chapter 64E-19. F.A.C.  A list of training and training providers may be accessed through the Upcoming Trainings and Training Providers link.

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 salon license, complete the application form and submit it along with the license fee to the licensing county health department.

(NOTE: Before applying for any body-piercing salon 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 (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 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 (78kb PDF)