2012 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 44 - Health
Chapter 34 - TATTOOING
Section 44-34-20 - Establishment of sterilization, sanitation, and safety standards; licensing; engaging in other retail business.

(A) The Department of Health and Environmental Control must establish by regulation sterilization, sanitation, and safety standards for persons engaged in the business of tattooing. The department must provide the necessary resources to support the development of these standards. The standards must be directed at establishment and maintenance of sterile conditions and safe disposal of instruments. The standards may be modified in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act as appropriate to protect consumers from transmission of contagious diseases through cross-contamination of instruments and supplies.

(B) Prior to performing tattooing procedures, a tattoo facility must apply for and obtain a license issued by the department that shall be effective for a specified time period following the date of issue as determined by the department. To obtain a license, the tattoo facility must:

(1) obtain a copy of the department's standards and commit on the application to meet those standards;

(2) provide the department with its business address and the address at which the licensee would perform any activity regulated by this chapter;

(3) provide to the department a certificate of each tattoo artist's initial certification of successful completion of courses in bloodborne pathogens and tattoo infection control as approved by the department and a current American Red Cross First Aid Certificate and an Adult Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification obtained from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association;

(4) remit to the department an initial and subsequently an annual license renewal fee of an amount set by the department;

(5) provide to the department a certified copy of an ordinance passed by the local governing body where the business will be located which authorizes the tattooing of persons within its jurisdiction;

(6) be in substantial compliance with department standards as determined by an initial license inspection conducted by the department.

(C) A tattoo facility may only provide tattooing and may not engage in any other retail business including, but not limited to, the sale of goods or performing any form of body piercing other than tattooing.

HISTORY: 2004 Act No. 250, Section 1, eff June 17, 2004.