Text Size:   A+ A- A   •   Text Only
Board of Body Art Practitioners
OHLA logotype


New Body Piercing Requirements Establish Four Piercing Categories, Examinations
Body piercing
New permanent and temporary administrative rules for body piercing effective January 1, 2012 establish four different categories of piercing: earlobe only, standard piercing and level one and level two specialty piercing. Each category has different qualification requirements, ranging from basic training and education for earlobe only piercing to a total of 1370 hours for specialty level two piercing.

Applicants for initial standard body piercing licensure are now also required to pass both written and practical examinations. Renewal applicants licensed prior to January 1, 2012 must also pass the written and practical examinations through 2013, but they may take the examinations at no cost.
Click here to access new body piercing administrative rules
OHLA Resources
Online License Renewal
Renew computer
It's secure, speedy and saves you a stamp! OHLA's online renewal feature is part of our ongoing efforts to provide customer service excellence and a streamlined regulatory environment.
Consumers Find Help at OHLA
Consumer Help
If you can't resolve a problem or issue with a practitioner of one of the health and related professions OHLA regulates, we can help.
Check a License Holder's Status
Midwife
Check our online database or to see if a professional is licensed or has been subject to disciplinary action (license suspension, probation or revocation).
News You Can Use
Central issues
Learn about openings on OHLA's volunteer citizen boards and councils and access agency publications and OHLA's online newsletter, Licensing Line.
Search Statewide Licensing Database
Professions
Find information and requirements for all Oregon licenses, certifications, permits and registrations in a single source, including those not overseen by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency.
Current Topics
Board of Body Art Practitioners Created
Laws and Rules
The 2011 Oregon Legislature passed HB 2013 which creates a Board of Body Art Practitioners within the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) to advise the agency on the regulation of body piercing, dermal implanting, electrology, scarification and tattooing. The agency filed administrative rules on November 1, 2011, which propose new qualification requirements for body piercing.
Watch OHLA Board, Council Meetings Online
OHLA Web
The Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) now offers online access to all regularly scheduled full board and council meetings. All you have to do is click on the link on the meeting notice of the meeting you'd like to view at the time the meeting is scheduled.
Catch the Latest Regulatory News in Licensing Line
Licensing Line
Access the latest issue of OHLA's newsletter, Licensing Line, featuring news of the agency and regulated professions. Licensing Line covers the diverse issues OHLA addresses in collaboration with multiple volunteer citizen boards and councils. You can also sign up to be a Licensing Line subscriber.
Flu Facts: Get Informed, Stay Healthy
Get more info about the Flu in Oregon at flu.oregon.gov
Protect yourself, your family and your co-workers by getting vaccinated and staying informed. The fewer of us who get sick from either seasonal influenza or pandemic H1N1 influenza, the more we can reduce the impact in our schools and workplaces. Visit the state's flu Web site at www.flu.oregon.gov or call the state hotline at 1-800-978-3040.