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, providing guidance for operation of the body piercing industry. Chapter 64E-19, Florida Administrative Code,  contains the rules that were written to implement the statute.

Training for Piercers

Chapter 64E-19, F.A.C., prescribes the minimum sanitary and safety requirements related to the design, operation, and maintenance of body-piercing salons.

Operators and piercers (defined in subsections 381.0075(2), F.S. and Chapter 64E-19.002, F.A.C, respectively) must be trained in infection-control procedures, prior to licensure of a body-piercing salon. Annually thereafter, operators and piercers may complete an Initial Formal Training Course or a Refresher Course. The following training Courses on the link are reviewed and accepted by the Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health, Facility Programs.

You can find an updated list of training courses on the Florida Department of Health's website.

Piercing a Minor

A person may not perform body piercing on a minor without the written  notarized consent  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  section 775.082 or section 775.083, Florida Statutes.

Injuries, Complaints, and Suspected Infections

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 Body Piercing Salon Injury Report Form should be sent to the licensing county health department within 72 hours of the operator becoming aware of the complaint or condition.

Resources for a Body Piercing Operator

• Application for Body Piercing Salon License
• Autoclave Log
• Customer Record
• Piercer/Operator Record
• Notarized Consent Form

Applications can be mailed to or submitted in person at:

Questions? Call 305-623-3505 or 305-623-3509 or mail MiamiDadeEH@FLHealth.gov.