• A cap sleeve tattoo.tattoo woman image by ennavanduinen from Fotolia.com
  
  Laws concerning tattoo and piercing shops are in place to protect employees and clients. One of the dangers in tattooing is transmission of bodily fluids that happens during procedures. Without laws to protect both sides, transmissions of diseases such as hepatitis are possible. California began legislation of the tattoo industry in 1997.
  
  

Minors

• In California, any person under the age of 18 may not receive a tattoo. In other states, such as Kentucky, a minor is allowed by law to receive a tattoo with parental consent. This does not apply in California. However, a minor is permitted to receive a body piercing in California, with parental consent. The parent must be present and provide the tattoo shop with state-issued identification. Genital and nipple piercings are not permitted for minors, regardless of parental consent.
  
  

Sinks

• Hand-washing sinks are a regulation under the facility requirements of California tattoo laws. Each tattoo or piercing station is required to have a hand sink with that is possible to operate with an artist's knee or wrist. Liquid soap and disposable paper towels are required with each sink, along with each sink possessing hot and cold water. A hand sink is necessary also in a biohazard room for cleaning instruments and a separate restroom for clients with a hand sink containing the aforementioned details.
  
  

Sterilization Equipment

• Instruments, such as tubes and forceps, are required to to go through a cleaning and sterilization process before being used on a client. This requires a separate room in the tattoo shop for equipment, such as an ultrasonic and autoclave to carry out this process. Autoclaves must be spore tested by an outside professional company, at least once a month. The tattoo shop is required to keep records of the spore test results on site for inspection purposes.