ATHENS, Ga. — The Clarke County Health Department is proposing new rules governing tattoo artists and body piercers.
The rules will require tattoo artists and piercers to sterilize their instruments and take other safety precautions, get hepatitis shots and undergo training in CPR. The health department will issue licenses to tattoo parlors that meet the requirements.
Professional tattoo artists and piercers say they welcome the regulations, because they will weed out fly-by-night operators.
The Georgia Legislature passed a law in 1994 allowing county health departments to regulate tattooing and piercing, but didn't write any regulations. While some jurisdictions put standards in place, all anyone needs to open a tattoo parlor in Athens is a business license.
The county health department is scheduled to vote on the regulations in April.
