Body Piercing Inspection Program

The Body Piercing Inspection Program is designed to promote safe and sanitary conditions in Body Piercing Establishments and to protect the public from infectious diseases.  Our Environmental Specialist performs inspections annually in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties with a “joint” inspection with an Escambia County Health Department Community Health Nurse. 

View the DOH Body Piercing Brochure (1.6kb; pdf)

The Inspection process entails an inspection of (not limited to):

• Piercing procedure
      to assure that sterile conditions are kept throughout.
• Autoclave maintenance records
      to assure autoclave is functioning as designed and to make sure that
      piercing instruments and jewelry are kept sterile.
• Sanitation and safety
      to assure that septic tank is approved for commercial use (if applies), hand
      washing sinks are at proper location, and lighting is appropriate for piercing
      procedure.
• Biomedical Waste Disposal
      to assure compliance with statute and code to prevent spread of disease.
• Piercing Records
      to assure that proper procedure are followed for the piercing of “minors”.
      See Florida Statute 381.0075, Section 7 regarding piercing of minors.

If you wish to open a Body Piercing Salon you must obtain an operational license.

You can do this by:

1. Applying for Body Piercing Salon License: Piercing Application (10kb; pdf)
2. Payment of required fee (see Fee Schedule)
3. “Successful” completion of the “Salon Opening” Inspection and subsequent inspections. 
4. Proof of “required training” through the Department of Health Proof of Required Training

The governing authority for this program is Florida Statute 381.0075 and Florida Administrative Code 64E-19 (39kb; pdf)

If you have a complaint regarding a Body Piercing Establishment please call us at 850-595-6700.

The Biomedical Waste generated in Tattoo Salons is regulated and inspected by the Department of Health under Florida Statute 381.0098.

However, actual tattoo procedures are not regulated by the Department of Health.  A license is not required to operate the studio; however, it is subject to the requirements of section 877.04 of the Florida Statutes. 

Florida Statute 877.04 Tattoo Regulation

Black Henna Tattoo Warning (95kb;pdf)

Other Useful Forms:

Autoclave Log (19kb;pdf)
Customer Record (20kb;pdf)
Piercer/Operator Record (20kb;pdf)
Notarized Consent Form (16kb;pdf)