Body Art Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Training

Why are body art practitioners required to take bloodborne pathogens training?

Tattoo artists, piercers, permanent makeup artists, and microblading artists have on-the-job exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Because of this hazard, OSHA and many state agencies mandate bloodborne pathogens training. BBP training requirements vary from state to state.

Please note: Body art licensing and training regulations are subject to change. Keep in contact with your local regulatory agency to make sure you are aware of their current requirements.

Complete your body art bloodborne pathogens training requirement by taking one of our online courses:

BBP100 California Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training
BBP200     Los Angeles County Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training
BBP300     Bloodborne Pathogens Training and Infection Control for Body Art Professionals (Nationwide)
BBP400     Bloodborne Pathogens and Communicable Diseases for Florida Tattoo Artists
BBP500     Bloodborne Pathogens Training and Infection Prevention for Body Art Professionals (Minnesota)
EHS100 Bloodborne Pathogens and Infection Control for Environmental Health Professionals

Professional Organization Approvals

American Electrology Association
BBP300 has been approved by the American Electrology Association for .2 continuing education units.

Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals
BBP100, BBP200, BBP300, BBP400, and BBP500 have been approved by the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals.

Your Training Place, a California Department of Public Health Continuing Education Accreditation Agency for Registered Environmental Health Specialists
EHS100 has been approved by Your Training Place for 3 REHS continuing education contact hours. See California REHS Accreditation Agencies

Federal, State, and County Approvals/Acceptance

OSHA

BBP100, BBP200, BBP300, BBP400, BBP500 comply with the training requirements of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard CFR 1910.1030

State and Local Regulators

Alabama
The Alabama Department of Health has approved BBP300 as a bloodborne pathogens training course for body artists who perform tattooing, body piercing, branding, and scarification.

Alaska
The State of Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers has approved BBP300 for body art professionals who do tattooing, permanent cosmetic coloring, and body piercing.

Arizona
There is no current Arizona state requirement for tattoo artists or piercers to take bloodborne pathogens training. Local requirements, if any, apply. If your county or city has requirements, ask if OSHA-compliant BBP300 will be accepted.

Arkansas
The Body Art Program of the Arkansas Department of Health has approved BBP300 for bloodborne pathogens training for tattoo artists, permanent cosmetics artists, body piercers, and branders.

California
Los Angeles County has approved BBP200 for Los Angeles body art practitioners. See Los Angeles Body Art Progam.

All other California counties have approved, or accept, BBP100 -- California Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training.

Colorado
The Denver Department of Environmental Health accepts BBP300 for body artist bloodborne pathogens training.

Connecticut
BBP300 complies with the bloodborne pathogens training requirements for tattoo technicians as specified in CT Gen Stat § 20-266o (2013) and for electrologists in CT Gen Stat § 20-275b-2 and § 20-275b-3 (2013).

Delaware
Delaware does not have any current state requirement for body art professionals to take bloodborne pathogens training. If your local health department has training requirements, determine if OSHA-compliant BBP300 will be accepted.

District of Columbia
Contact the District of Columbia to determine their requirements for tattoo artists and piercers. If there are BBP training requirements, ask if they accept OSHA-compliant courses like BBP300.

Florida
BBP400 is approved by the Florida Health Department for tattoo licensure under 381.00775(2)(b)4. and 5., F.S., and, Rule 64E-28.006, F.A.C. See Florida Tattoo Artist Licensure.

Georgia
Many Georgia counties require body art practitioners to take OSHA-compliant bloodborne pathogens training. BBP300 can be used to meet that requirement.

Hawaii
The State of Hawaii Department of Health, Sanitation Branch, has approved BBP300 for bloodborne pathogen transmission prevention training for tattoo artists.

Idaho
The State of Idaho does not currently require tattoo artists or body piercers to take BBP training. Contact your local health department to determine if they have BBP training requirements for tattoo artists and piercers. If there are requirements, ask if BBP300, an OSHA-compliant course, will be accepted.

Illinois
BBP300 complies with the bloodborne pathogens training requirements for body artists as specified in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 797.300 a) 8).

Indiana
BBP300 complies with the bloodborne pathogens training requirements as specified in the Guide for Sanitary Operations of Tattoo and Body Piercing Facilities in Indiana, March 2001. Section C, 410 IAC 1-5-27.

Iowa
The Iowa Department of Public Health accepts BBP300 for body art bloodborne pathogens training.

Kansas
The Kansas Board of Cosmetology has approved BBP300 for continuing education for body art practitioners for 3 hours.

Kentucky
BBP300 complies with Kentucky's bloodborne pathogens training requirements as specified in 902 KAR 45:065 and 902 KAR 45:070.

Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals accepts BBP300 for bloodborne pathogens training for body art operators.

Maine
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services accepts BBP300 for body art bloodborne pathogens training.

Maryland
The Maryland Department of Health does not license tattoo and body piercing businesses. Allegany County and Calvert County, however, require tattoo artists and piercers to obtain proof of attendance at a bloodborne pathogens training program approved by OSHA. BBP300 complies with OSHA bloodborne pathogens training requirements. Other Maryland counties or cities may have similar requirements. Always review the current licensing requirements of your local regulatory agency.

Massachusetts

BBP300 complies with the body art bloodborne pathogens training requirements as specified by:

Boston Public Health Commission
Cambridge Health Department
City of Worcester
City of Quincy Department of Health
Town of Brookline Department of Public Health
Town of Pembroke
Town of Tewksbury Health Department

Michigan
The State of Michigan licenses tattoo facilities, not individual artists. Contact your local health department to determine if they have bloodborne pathogens training requirements for tattoo artists. If there are requirements, ask if OSHA-compliant BBP300 will be accepted.

Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Health accepts BBP300 for 2 hours of bloodborne pathogens coursework for body art technicians. BBP500 is accepted for 5 hours of coursework. See Minnesota Body Art Technician Licensing.

Mississippi
The Mississippi State Department of Health has approved BBP300 as a tattoo and body piercing "Disease Prevention Course".

Missouri
BBP300 complies with the bloodborne pathogens training requirements as specified in Missouri's Office of Tattooing, Body Piercing, and Branding (April 30 2011), Chapter 2 - Licensing Requirements 20 CSR 2267-2.010 (2) (A).

Montana
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services accepts BBP300 for body art bloodborne pathogens training.

Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services accepts BBP300 as meeting the bloodborne pathogens training requirements for body artists.

Nevada
BBP300 complies with the bloodborne pathogens training requirements as specified in Southern Nevada Health District Regulations Governing the Sanitation and Safety of Tattoo Establishments, Section 6.2.1., and as specified in Washoe County Health District Regulations Governing Invasive Body Decoration Establishments, Section 030.006.

New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services accepts BBP300 as meeting the bloodborne pathogens training requirements for body artists.

New Jersey
The State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services accepts BBP300 for body art bloodborne pathogens training.

New Mexico
The New Mexico Board of Body Art Practitioners requires tattoo artists, permanent makeup professionals, body piercing professionals, and apprentices to take bloodborne pathogens training. BBP300 is a course that will satisfy this requirement.

New York
Even though New York State does not currently require bloodborne pathogens training for tattoo artists and piercers, some NY body art practitioners take our BBP courses because they want the specialized training or because they need a bloodborne pathogens certificate to do an out-of-state body art show. See New York Tattoo BBP Training.

North Carolina
Currently, North Carolina does not have a state requirement for body art professionals to take BBP training. If your local health department has training requirements, determine if OSHA-compliant BBP300 will be accepted.

North Dakota
There is no current North Dakota state requirement for tattoo artists or piercers to take BBP training. Contact your local health department to determine if they have training requirements for tattoo artists and piercers. If they do, ask if BBP300, an OSHA-compliant course, will be accepted.

Ohio
BBP300 complies with the bloodborne pathogens training requirements for body artists as specified in Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 3701-9-04 (M)(3)(b).

Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Department of Health accepts BBP300 for bloodborne pathogens training for tattoo artists and body piercers.

Oregon
The Oregon Health Licensing Agency has approved BBP300 for 2 hours of continuing education credit for electrologists. Oregon also recognizes BBP300 as meeting the criteria for bloodborne pathogen training certification needed by tattoo artists and body piercers for initial licensure and renewal.

Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Services accepts BBP300 for body artist bloodborne pathogens training.

Rhode Island
BBP300 complies with the bloodborne pathogens training requirements as specified in the Rhode Island Dept. of Health Rules And Regulations For The Registration Of Tattoo Artists And Tattoo Parlors (Sept 2012). Section 16.1.b.

South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has approved BBP300 for bloodborne pathogens training for tattoo artists and body piercers.

South Dakota
The State of South Dakota does not currently require body art professionals to take BBP training. Determine if there are requirements in the area in which you work. If there are, ask if OSHA-compliant courses like BBP300 are accepted.

Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Health requires tattoo artists to take a sterilization course. Ask if OSHA-compliant BBP300 will be accepted.

Texas
The State of Texas currently licenses tattoo facilities, not individual artists. There are, however, specific requirements for tattoo artists and piercers. See Texas Tattoo Regulations

Utah
There is no current Utah state requirement for body art professionals to take BBP training. Contact your local health department to determine if they have BBP training requirements for tattoo artists and piercers. Ask if BBP300, an OSHA-compliant course, will be accepted.

Vermont
Contact the Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation for bloodborne pathogens certification requirements for tattoo artists, piercers, permanent cosmetologists, and microblading technicians.

Virginia
The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology has approved BBP300 for bloodborne pathogens training for tattoo artists and body piercers.

Washington
The Washington State Department of Licensing accepts BBP300 for body art bloodborne pathogens training.

West Virginia
The State of West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has approved BBP300 as an Exposure Control Training course for body piercing technicians.

Wisconsin
The State of Wisconsin has no current requirement for body art professionals to take BBP training. Determine if there are requirements in the area in which you work. If there are, ask if an OSHA-compliant course like BBP300 will be accepted.

Wyoming
The Cheyenne/Laramie County Health Department accepts BBP300 for body artist bloodborne pathogens training.

Updated July 1, 2023