New requirements for current licensees and initial applicants take effect January 1, 2012. 

• Licensed Prior to January 1, 2012:  Body piercers licensed prior to January 1, 2012 are required to take and pass both a written and practical examination as a condition of their license renewal as "standard" body piercers.  These licensees will receive information on both examinations when they receive their license renewal notice.
  
  
• Applicants After January 1, 2012:  Applicants for "standard" body piercing licensure after January 1, 2012, must complete required training (see below) and take and pass both a written and practical examination.
  
  
• Specialty Level One & Two Piercing:  After obtaining a standard license, piercers may obtain specialty licenses.  (Please see section below after standard piercing licensing information.)
  
  
• 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 (see below).

Standard Body Piercing

• High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
  
  
• Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid training from an agency-approved provider
  
  
• Submit proof of current blood borne pathogens training from an agency-approved provider
  
  
• Completion of approved training program for standard body piercing, including 1150 hours of combined theory and practical instruction (250 hours of theory and 900 hours of practical training) and 400 body piercing procedures. Training requires direct supervision of an agency approved supervisor.

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.
 

 

Standard Body Piercing:  Written and Practical Examination Informaton 

Standard Body Piercing: Written Examination
The standard body piercing written examination is conducted on a walk-in basis at the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) in Salem. 

 
Standard Body Piercing:  Written Examination Blueprint

Standard Body Piercing: Practical Examination
Current standard body piercing licensees and initial body piercing applicants will be notified upon license renewal/application of scheduled practical examinations. 
 
Standard Body Piercing: Practical Examination Schedule 2013

• High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
  
  
• Blood borne pathogens training from an agency-approved provider
  
  
• Current basic first aid training from an agency-approved provider
  
  
• Complete online education and examination process (see below)

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. 

Basic First Aid Training
Basic 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.

 

Client Care and Safety Sanitation and Infection Control (CCSSIC) Examination Blueprint (iLearn)

iLearn Oregon New User Guide

CCSSIC Course Description 
 
iLearn CCSSIC PowerPoint

All applicants must submit proof of being 18 years of age or older, complete and submit an application form and pay appropriate fees.
 
Applicants are required to produce two forms of original identification issued by a federal, state or local government agency of the United States at the time of examination.  One of the forms must be photographic.
 
Click here to go to the Fees page.
 
Click here to go to the Forms page.
 
Click here for more information on Identification Requirements. 

The Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) 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.
 
Click here to review the requirements for retaking the written examination, including recertification of training. 

Certificate of Additional Training

Practitioners from outside of Oregon must submit an affidavit of licensure demonstrating proof of current license, which is active with no current or pending disciplinary action, as a body piercer. The licensing must be substantially equivalent to Oregon licensing requirements.  Or if not substantially equivalent the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the agency that the applicant has been employed or working as a body piercer full time for three of the last five years. 
 
Applicants through reciprocity must also:

• Pay examination fees
  
  
• Submit passing score of an agency approved written examination for standard body piercing within two years from the date of application
  
  
• Submit a passing score of an agency approved practical examination for standard body piercing within two years from the date of application

Still have questions about the new licensing process and requirements?  Click on the link below for answers to licensing questions.
 
Body Art Practitioners Q&A: Body Piercing