The definitions in this
section apply throughout this chapter and RCW 5.40.050 and 70.54.340 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Body art" means the practice of invasive cosmetic
adornment including the use of branding and scarification. "Body
art" also includes the intentional production of scars upon the
body. "Body art" does not include any health-related procedures
performed by licensed health care practitioners under their scope
of practice.
(2) "Body piercing" means the process of penetrating the
skin or mucous membrane to insert an object, including jewelry,
for cosmetic purposes. "Body piercing" also includes any scar
tissue resulting from or relating to the piercing. "Body
piercing" does not include the use of stud and clasp piercing
systems to pierce the earlobe in accordance with the
manufacturer's directions and applicable United States food and
drug administration requirements. "Body piercing" does not
include any health-related procedures performed by licensed
health care practitioners under their scope of practice, nor does
anything in chapter 412, Laws of 2009 authorize a person
registered to engage in the business of body piercing to implant
or embed foreign objects into the human body or otherwise engage
in the practice of medicine.
(3) "Director" means the director of the department of
licensing.
(4) "Individual license" means a body art, body piercing, or
tattoo practitioner license issued under this chapter.
(5) "Location license" means a license issued under this
chapter for a shop or business.
(6) "Shop or business" means a body art, body piercing, or
tattooing shop or business.
(7) "Tattoo artist" means a person who pierces or punctures
the human skin with a needle or other instrument for the purpose
of implanting an indelible mark, or pigment, into the skin for a
fee.
(8) "Tattooing" means to pierce or puncture the human skin
with a needle or other instrument for the purpose of implanting
an indelible mark, or pigment, into the skin.
[2009 c 412 § 2.]