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Town of Williamstown, MA
Berkshire County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
A. 
Every person applying for or renewing his or her permit as a body art technician will complete the application form approved by the Board of Health.
B. 
Every applicant will provide proof of a high school diploma or its equivalent.
C. 
Every applicant will provide photographic proof (i.e., driver license, passport, etc.) of his or her identity and age.
D. 
Every applicant will provide proof to the Board of Health that they have held a license to practice their body art discipline (piercing, tattooing, etc.) for at least one year in another municipality or state or have completed one year of apprentice training as a body piercer or three years of apprentice training as a tattooist under a licensed body art technician in the specific discipline.
E. 
Applicants will provide proof of eligibility for membership as a professional business member or professional member at large by the Association of Professional Piercers. Eligibility will consist of verifiable documentation that applicant has met all criteria established by the organization.
F. 
Applicants will provide proof of eligibility for membership as a professional tattooist by the Alliance of Professional Tattooists. Eligibility will consist of verifiable documentation that applicant has met all criteria established by the organization.
G. 
Body artists and their employees must show evidence or current certification of successfully completing the courses listed below prior to receipt of a certificate of registration:
(1) 
Basic training in first aid and advanced CPR as well as proof of attendance at required renewal courses.
(2) 
Completion of a course on prevention of disease transmission and bloodborne pathogens, conducted under the American Red Cross Instruction program, or its equivalent.
[Amended 10-4-2004]
(3) 
Passed a course in anatomy and physiology given at an accredited university or community college. A copy of the transcript will be provided to the Board.
H. 
Body artists shall submit with their initial application a statement by a physician, issued not more than 30 days prior to the application submission, that they have been examined and are free from any contagious or communicable disease.
[Amended 3-3-2003]
Every body art technician shall have, with a copy provided to the owner of the body art establishment in which the technician performs body art activity, valid documentation of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccination stating:
A. 
Certification of completed vaccination.
B. 
Laboratory evidence of immunity.
C. 
Documentation stating the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons. Contraindication requires a dated and signed physician's statement specifying the name of the employee and that the vaccine cannot be given.
A. 
Any course taken by a person to fulfill the requirements of § 141-5G. (2) shall include the following:
[Amended 10-4-2004]
(1) 
A general explanation of the epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases and all communicable diseases potentially transmitted through body art activity;
(2) 
An explanation of the modes of transmission of bloodborne pathogens and other communicable diseases potentially transmitted through body art activity;
(3) 
An explanation of the appropriate methods for recognizing tasks and other activities that may involve exposure to blood for the body art technician and/or the client;
(4) 
An explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure to the body art technician and/or the client of bloodborne pathogens and other communicable diseases;
(5) 
Information on different types, proper use and removal of gloves and proper hand washing techniques;
(6) 
Information on the proper selection and use of disinfectants and antiseptics;
(7) 
Information on the HBV vaccine, including information on its efficacy, safety, method of administration and the benefits of vaccination against HBV;
(8) 
An explanation of what constitutes an exposure incident, the risk of disease transmission following an exposure incident and the options for post-exposure evaluation and follow up if an exposure incident occurs involving bloodborne pathogens; and
(9) 
An opportunity for interactive questions and answers with the instructor of the training session.
B. 
Upon conclusion of a course as described above, an examination based on the information covered in the course shall be administered to each attendee of the course, with documentation of the results for each attendee provided to him or her.
Every body art technician shall maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness, conform to hygienic practices and wear clean clothes when conducting body art activity. If the body art technicians clothes are or become contaminated, clean clothing shall be donned prior to commencement of any body art activity.
A. 
No minors shall receive a tattoo. No minor shall receive a piercing unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who has signed a consent form. No body art procedure of the genitalia of minors shall be allowed. (See also § 141-54J.)
B. 
No body art procedure performed upon animals shall be allowed in piercing studios.
C. 
Pre-procedural consultation to discuss body art, its risks and potential complications shall be required with each client. All clients shall sign an informed consent form prior to the commencement of any body art procedure. Clients shall be supplied a copy of the consent form, and the consent form shall be kept on file by the body artist. Clients should be told to consult with their physician regarding any medical condition which could be exacerbated by the piercing procedures (i.e., hemophilia, open sores, etc.).
D. 
Patrons who admit to or are obviously under the influence of alcohol or other judgment-altering drugs shall not receive a body art procedure.
E. 
Body artists shall not be under the influence of any substance, legal or illegal which might impair their judgment or ability to properly perform body art procedures.
F. 
Patrons will receive verbal and written instructions on the cleaning, use of antiseptics and other specific instructions for body art post-procedure care, including the signs and symptoms of complications.