Definition
Standard body piercing includes all body piercings with the exception of specialty level one piercings and specialty level two piercings. Standard body piercing services do not include testes, deep shaft (corpus cavernosa), uvula, eyelids, or sub-clavicle piercings.
What you need to do
All standard body piercing license applicants must:
- Submit a completed application form and the required application fee ($50 for pathway one or two; $150 for pathway three).
- Submit two forms of government identification. Legible (clear) photocopies are acceptable if submitted by mail. At least one form of ID must be photographic, and names must match on both forms of ID.
- Submit proof of being at least 18 years of age, providing a copy of birth certificate or school/military/governmental record with age documented, if not already provided on photographic ID required above.
- Submit proof of having a high school diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
- Submit proof of current cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid training from an office-approved provider.
- Submit proof of current blood borne pathogens training from an agency-approved provider (see our approved provider list under HLO forms).
- Provide documentation of completing a qualifying pathway (see below).
Pathway One: Graduate from an Oregon licensed career school for standard body piercing
Note: Oregon does not yet have a state-licensed career school for standard body piercing.
Pathway Two: Qualification through standard body piercing trainee license
Applicant must:
- Submit documentation showing proof of having completed training (750 hours of combined theory and practical instruction, including 250 hours of theory and 500 hours of practical training, and 300 body piercing procedures), verified by a supervisor (Training requires direct supervision of an
office-approved supervisor), on the HLO-approved form.
- Pay examination fees ($150)
- Submit passing score of the state-prepared standard body piercing written examination within two years of the application date.
- Submit a passing score of the state-prepared standard body piercing practical examination within two years of the application date.
- Upon passage of all required examinations and before the issuance of license, pay all license fees.
Pathway Three: Reciprocity
- Submit an
affidavit of licensure demonstrating proof of current license as a body piercer that is active with no current or pending disciplinary action. The licensing must be substantially equivalent to Oregon licensing requirements. If not substantially equivalent, the applicant must demonstrate that he or she has been employed as a body piercer full time for three of the past five years. Documentation includes employment-related documents such as paystubs, W-2 Forms and federal tax forms, as well as a letter from employer or employers.
- Pay examination fees ($150)
- Submit passing score of the state-prepared standard body piercing written examination within two years of the application date.
- Submit a passing score of the state-prepared standard body piercing practical examination within two years of the application date.
- Upon passage of all required examinations and before the issuance of license, pay all license fees.
Blood Borne Pathogens Training
Blood borne pathogen courses must be compliant with U.S. Federal guidelines 29 CFR 1910.1030 and may be obtained through hands-on, online or blended course instruction.
CPR and First Aid Training
CPR and First Aid certification courses must be obtained through hands-on training, or blended training that includes a hands-on skills assessment examination for certification. Course provider certifications for these courses must include an evaluator/instructor name and authorization number on the certification card.
Examinations
The Health Licensing Office in consultation with the Board of Electrologists and Body Art Practitioners approved the following exams to obtain a standard body piercing license in the State of Oregon: the state-prepared written exam and the state-prepared practical exam.
Written Examination:
State-prepared written examination (application)
The written exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. The time limit is 90 minutes, and the minimum passing score is 75 percent.
The written examination covers male and female genital anatomy and physiology, jewelry and equipment, ethics and legalities, client consultation, and regulations for Specialty Level 1 Genital Body Piercing listed in the Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 331.
For details about the number of questions asked within each subject area and the sources used to reference the exam questions, consult the
Standard Body Piercing: Examination Information Bulletin.
The standard body piercing written examination is conducted on a walk-in basis at the Health Licensing Office (HLO) in Salem.
Practical Examination:
The practical exam is used to determine the qualification, fitness and ability of an applicant to practice as a Standard Body Piercer. The practical exam consists of the following topics:
- Pre-service counseling
- Forms
- Proper identification
- Proper gloving procedures
- Pre-service prior to piercing
- Piercing procedure
- Post-procedure
Exam candidates are required to perform one (1) piercing and are responsible for providing their own supplies and model.
Minimum passing score for the exam is 75 percent. Proctors identify and score the exam using specified criteria while evaluating candidate's procedures.
Application requirements must be received at HLO prior to the administration of an examination.
Retaking a written exam
The Health Licensing Office (HLO) established requirements, including waiting periods and additional training, for applicants who fail the written examination and must retake the examination after one or more failed attempts.
After the third and sixth failed attempts, applicants must obtain additional training from an Oregon educational institution or from an agency-approved supervisor.
Requirements for retaking the written examination, including recertification of training
Other piercing licenses
Specialty Level One & Two Piercing: After obtaining a standard license, piercers may obtain specialty licenses.
Learn more.
Earlobe-Only Piercing: New and renewal applicants for an
earlobe-only piercing license must complete required training and complete an online education and examination process.
License renewal
- Body piercing licenses are valid for one year.
- Licensees receive a renewal form in the mail approximately 45 days prior to the license entering inactive status.
- Licensees must attest on the renewal form that they have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation from an approved provider, current first aid training from an approved provider, and current certification in blood borne pathogens training from an approved provider.
- Licensees must also attest upon renewal that they have obtained
required continuing education.
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Renew your license online.