Ohio rules redrawn for tattoo artists, piercers

8/19/2014

AKRON, Ohio  — Ohio is redrawing the rules for tattoo artists and piercers for the first time since the late 1990s.

New regulations going into effect Sept. 1 include limiting piercing guns for use only on lower earlobes, and restricting minors from getting certain areas of their bodies pierced, even if their parents approve.

New state laws also require all body art businesses to have an infection and disease control plan. The updates also are expected to protect consumers by encouraging more training among the public health inspectors who make sure the rules are being followed.

Patrick McCarthy, president of the newly created Association of Body Art Professionals, tells The Akron Beacon Journal that the changes are good for the industry, which has grown significantly since the last times rules were changed.