(1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Public Health.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Public Health.

(3) “Tattooing” means marking or coloring, in an indelible manner, the skin of any person by pricking in coloring matter or by producing scars.

(4) “Tattoo technician” means a person who is licensed under the provisions of section 20-266o.

(5) “Student tattoo technician” means a person studying tattooing who is registered with the department pursuant to section 20-266o.

Section 20-266o.  Licenses. Qualifications. Renewal. Exception. Temporary permits. Regulations. (a) On and after July 1, 2014, no person shall engage in the practice of tattooing unless the person is eighteen years of age or older and has obtained a license or temporary permit from the Department of Public Health pursuant to this section.

(b) (1) Each person seeking licensure as a tattoo technician on or before January 1, 2015, shall make application on a form prescribed by the department, pay an application fee of two hundred fifty dollars and present to the department satisfactory evidence that the applicant: (A) Is eighteen years of age or older; (B) has successfully completed, within the three years preceding the date of application, a course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that complies with the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as described in 29 CFR 1910. 1030 et seq. , as amended from time to time, and that requires the successful completion of a proficiency examination as part of such course; and (C) holds current certification by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association in basic first aid.

(2) Each person seeking licensure as a tattoo technician after January 1, 2015, shall, in addition to satisfying the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, provide documentation to the department, in the form and manner required by the commissioner, of having (A) completed not less than two thousand hours of practical training and experience under the personal supervision and instruction of a tattoo technician, or (B) practiced tattooing continuously in this state for a period of not less than five years prior to January 1, 2015.

(c) Licenses issued under this section shall be subject to renewal once every two years. A license to practice tattooing shall be renewed in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-88 for a fee of two hundred dollars. A licensee applying for license renewal shall, as a condition of license renewal, successfully complete a course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that complies with the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as described in 29 CFR 1910. 1030 et seq. , as amended from time to time, and that requires the successful completion of a proficiency examination as part of such course. Each licensee applying for license renewal shall sign a statement attesting that the licensee has successfully completed such education course within the six months preceding the expiration of the license on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Health. Each licensee shall retain certificates of completion that demonstrate compliance with the requirement for a minimum of four years after the year in which the course was completed and shall submit such certificates to the department for inspection not later than forty-five days after a request by the department for such certificates.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse rendering service in collaboration with a physician, a registered nurse executing the medical regimen under the direction of a licensed physician, dentist or advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant rendering service under the supervision, control and responsibility of a physician.

(e) No person shall use the title "tattoo technician", "tattoo artist", "tattooist" or other similar titles unless the person holds a license issued in accordance with this section.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a person may practice tattooing if such person has obtained a license or temporary permit pursuant to this subsection or practices tattooing temporarily in the state as an instructor or participant in an event, trade show or product demonstration in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (3) of this subsection.

(1) The department may grant licensure to any person who is licensed at the time of application as a tattoo technician, or as a person entitled to perform similar services under a different designation, in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or a commonwealth or territory subject to the laws of the United States and who submits evidence satisfactory to the department of (A) a current license in good standing to practice tattooing from such other state, commonwealth or territory, (B) documentation of licensed practice in such state, commonwealth or territory for a period of at least two years immediately preceding application, (C) successful completion of a course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that complies with the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as described in 29 CFR 1910. 1030 et seq. , as amended from time to time, and (D) current certification by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association in basic first aid. Pending approval of the application for licensure, the commissioner may issue a temporary permit to such applicant upon receipt of a completed application form, accompanied by the fee for licensure, a copy of a current license from such other state, commonwealth or territory and a notarized affidavit attesting that the license is valid and belongs to the person requesting notarization. Such temporary permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed one hundred twenty calendar days and shall not be renewable.

(2) The commissioner may issue a temporary permit to an applicant previously licensed in Connecticut whose license has become void pursuant to section 19a-88. Such applicant for a temporary permit shall submit to the department a completed application form accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars, a copy of a current license in good standing from another state and a notarized affidavit attesting that such license is valid and belongs to the person requesting notarization. A temporary permit for an applicant previously licensed in Connecticut whose license has become void pursuant to section 19a-88 shall be valid for a period not to exceed one hundred twenty calendar days and shall not be renewable.

(3) A person who: (A) Provides instruction on tattooing techniques; or (B) participates in the demonstration of a tattooing-related product or offers tattooing as part of a professional course, seminar, workshop, trade show or other event, may practice tattooing for such purpose, provided such person described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision (i) is licensed or certified in the state, territory or possession of the United States or foreign country that is the primary place where such person practices tattooing if such state, territory, possession or foreign country requires licensure or certification for tattooing, (ii) has successfully completed a course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that complies with the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as described in 29 CFR 1910.1030 et seq., as amended from time to time, within the preceding three years, (iii) practices tattooing under the direct supervision of a tattoo technician, (iv) does not receive compensation for tattooing, other than for providing instruction or tattooing services to persons in attendance at the course, seminar, workshop, trade show or event, and (v) provides instruction, demonstrates tattooing techniques or offers tattooing only for persons enrolled in the course, seminar or workshop or attending the trade show or event at which the person provides instruction, demonstrates a product or offers tattooing. Any person or organization that holds or produces a course, seminar, workshop, trade show or other event at which a person who is not a tattoo technician licensed in the state provides tattooing instruction, participates in the demonstration of a tattooing-related product or offers tattooing to persons in attendance at the trade show or event shall ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a student tattoo technician may practice tattooing under the personal supervision of a tattoo technician for a period not to exceed two years. A student tattoo technician shall register with the department for purposes of completing the practical training and experience required to obtain a license pursuant to this section. An application for registration shall be submitted to the department on a form prescribed by the commissioner and shall be accompanied by documentation that the applicant (1) has successfully completed a course on prevention of disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens that complies with the standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as described in 29 CFR 1910. 1030 et seq. , as amended from time to time, and that requires the successful completion of a proficiency examination as part of such course, and (2) holds current certification by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association in basic first aid. Such application shall include a notarized statement signed by a tattoo technician providing that such licensee acknowledges having responsibility for personally supervising the applicant's practical training and experience in tattooing.

(h) No license or temporary permit shall be issued under this section to any applicant against whom professional disciplinary action is pending or who is the subject of an unresolved complaint in any state or jurisdiction.

(i) The Commissioner of Public Health may, in accordance with chapter 54, adopt such regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of sections 20-266o to 20-266s, inclusive.

Sec. 20-266p. Prohibited acts. On and after July 1, 2014, no person shall: (1) Buy, sell or fraudulently obtain or furnish any diploma, certificate, license, record or registration purporting to show that any person is qualified or authorized to practice tattooing, as provided in section 20-266o, or participate in buying, selling, fraudulently obtaining or furnishing any such document; (2) practice or attempt or offer to practice tattooing under cover of any diploma, certificate, license, record or registration illegally or fraudulently obtained or signed, or issued unlawfully or under fraudulent representation or mistake of fact in a material regard; (3) practice or attempt or offer to practice tattooing under a name other than such person’s own name or under a false or assumed name; (4) aid or abet practice by a person not lawfully licensed to practice tattooing within this state or by a person whose license to practice has been suspended or revoked; (5) use in such person’s advertising the word “tattoo”, “tattooing” or any description of services involving marking or coloring, in an indelible manner, the skin of any person, without having obtained a license under the provisions of section 20-266o; or (6) practice tattooing on a person who is an unemancipated minor under eighteen years of age without the permission of such person’s parent or guardian. No person shall, during the time such person’s license as a tattoo technician is revoked or suspended, practice or attempt or offer or advertise to practice tattooing or be employed by, work with or assist, in any way, any person licensed to practice tattooing. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

Sec. 20-266q. Disciplinary action. Grounds. The Department of Public Health may take any action set forth in section 19a-17 if a person issued a license as a tattoo technician pursuant to section 20-266o fails to conform to the accepted standards of the tattoo profession, or violates any provision of this section or section 20-266o or 20-266s or for any of the following reasons: (1) Fraud and deceit in the practice of tattooing; (2) negligent, incompetent or wrongful conduct in professional activities; (3) emotional disorder or mental illness; (4) physical illness or impairment; (5) abuse or excessive use of drugs, including alcohol, narcotics or chemicals; and (6) wilful falsification of entries into any client record pertaining to tattooing. The Commissioner of Public Health may order a tattoo technician to submit to a reasonable physical or mental examination if such tattoo technician’s physical or mental capacity to practice safely is the subject of an investigation. The commissioner may petition the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce such order or any action taken pursuant to section 19a-17. Notice of any contemplated action under section 19a-17, the cause of the action and the date of a hearing on the action shall be given to the licensee and an opportunity for hearing afforded in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

Sec. 20-266r. Enforcement. The Commissioner of Public Health shall carry out the commissioner’s responsibilities with respect to enforcement of the provisions of sections 20-266o to 20-266q, inclusive, within available appropriations.

Sec. 20-266s. Inspection of tattoo establishments. The director of health for any town, city, borough or district department of health, or the director’s authorized representative, may, on an annual basis, inspect establishments where tattooing is practiced within the director’s jurisdiction regarding the establishments’ sanitary condition. The director of health, or the director’s authorized representative, shall have full power to enter and inspect any such tattoo establishment during usual business hours. If any establishment, upon such inspection, is found to be in an unsanitary condition, the director of health shall make written order that such establishment be placed in a sanitary condition. The director of health may collect from the operator of any such establishment a reasonable fee, not to exceed one hundred dollars, for the cost of conducting an inspection of such establishment pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding any municipal charter, home rule ordinance or special act, any fee collected by the director of health pursuant to this section shall be used by the town, city, borough or district department of health for conducting inspections pursuant to this section.