Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-371.3 — Tattooing or body piercing of minors
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 4: Family Offenses; Crimes Against Children, Etc, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-371.3
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.
No person shall tattoo or perform body piercing for hire or consideration on a person less than eighteen years of age, knowing or having reason to believe such person is less than eighteen years of age except (i) in the presence of the person's parent or guardian, or (ii) when done by or under the supervision of a medical doctor, registered nurse or other medical services personnel licensed pursuant to Title 54.1 in the performance of their duties.
In addition, no person shall tattoo or perform body piercing on any client unless he complies with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for "Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions" and provides the client with the following disclosure:
1. Tattooing and body piercing are invasive procedures in which the skin is penetrated by a foreign object.
2. If proper sterilization and antiseptic procedures are not followed by tattoo artists and body piercers, there is a risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens and other infections, including, but not limited to, human immunodeficiency viruses and hepatitis B or C viruses.
3. Tattooing and body piercing may cause allergic reactions in persons sensitive to dyes or the metals used in ornamentation.
4. Tattooing and body piercing may involve discomfort or pain for which appropriate anesthesia cannot be legally made available by the person performing the tattoo or body piercing unless such person holds the appropriate license from a Virginia health regulatory board.
A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
For the purposes of this section:
"Body-piercing" means the act of penetrating the skin to make a hole, mark, or scar, generally permanent in nature. "Body piercing" does not include the use of a mechanized, presterilized ear-piercing system that penetrates the outer perimeter or lobe of the ear or both.
"Tattoo" means to place any design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol or any other mark upon or under the skin of any person with ink or any other substance resulting in the permanent coloration of the skin, including permanent make-up or permanent jewelry, by the aid of needles or any other instrument designed to touch or puncture the skin.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is tattooing or body piercing of minors a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Tattooing or body piercing of minors is a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-371.3.
Which Virginia statute covers tattooing or body piercing of minors?
Tattooing or body piercing of minors is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-371.3 (Tattooing or body piercing of minors).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.