Tattoo parlors and body-piercing studios in Fairfax County must hold a BPOL, employ artists with state certification under VA Code Title 54.1 Chapter 7, and pass health-department inspections for sanitation and bloodborne-pathogen control.
Body-art establishments in Fairfax County must obtain a BPOL and operate only in commercially zoned locations. Artists must be certified under VA Code Title 54.1 Chapter 7 and complete bloodborne-pathogen training. The Fairfax County Health Department, working with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, inspects studios for sterilization, single-use needles, and proper biohazard disposal. State law bans tattooing minors except with parental consent and a licensed physician on premises. Enforcement combines state and county penalties.
Tattooing minors without consent, operating without certification, or unsanitary practices triggers misdemeanor charges and county license revocation.
See how Herndon's tattoo & body modification rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.