PERMANENT MAKEUP IN VIRGINIA EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (VDH) BODY ART
REGULATIONS (12 VAC 5-371)
TATTOO LICENSING | PERMANENT COSMETIC
CERTIFICATION
INTRODUCTION .
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for permanent makeup (PMU)
practitioners and tattoo artists preparing for the Virginia Permanent Makeup Licensing Exam for
the current licensing cycle. Virginia regulates permanent makeup as a form of tattooing under
the Virginia Body Art Regulations (12 VAC 5-371), administered by the Virginia Department of
Health (VDH). Practitioners must obtain a tattoo license (not a cosmetology license) and comply
with strict infection control, facility, and record-keeping requirements.
Licensing Information:
Regulatory Authority: Virginia Department of Health (VDH) – Division of Environmental Health
Regulation: 12 VAC 5-371 – Virginia Body Art Regulations
License Type: Tattoo License (permanent makeup is classified as tattooing)
Permits Required: Operator permit (individual practitioner) and facility registration
(establishment)
Minimum Age: 18 years (no exceptions, including parental consent)
Prohibited Locations: Home-based studios generally not permitted unless separate dedicated
space meeting all commercial requirements
Record Retention: Client records minimum 3 years
Inspection Frequency: Initial and periodic inspections by VDH
Renewal Period: Annual
Section 1: Virginia Body Art Regulations and Legal Requirements (Questions 1-
15)
,Question 1: Under Virginia Body Art Regulations (12 VAC 5-371), permanent makeup is legally
classified as:
A. Cosmetology service
B. Medical procedure
C. Tattooing (body art)
D. Esthetic service
[CORRECT] C. Tattooing (body art)
Rationale:
Virginia regulations define permanent makeup as a form of tattooing (body art). Practitioners
must obtain a tattoo license from VDH, not a cosmetology license. Cosmetology licensure does
not authorize performing permanent makeup.
Question 2: What is the minimum legal age to receive permanent makeup in Virginia?
A. 16 years with parental consent
B. 17 years with parental consent
C. 18 years (no exceptions, including parental consent)
D. 21 years
[CORRECT] C. 18 years (no exceptions, including parental consent)
Rationale:
12 VAC 5-371 explicitly prohibits tattooing (including permanent makeup) on any person under
18 years of age. There are no exceptions for parental consent. Violation is a Class 1
misdemeanor.
Question 3: Which of the following is required for a permanent makeup facility in Virginia?
(Select all that apply)
A. Separate room dedicated to body art procedures
B. Hand sink with hot and cold running water
C. Smooth, non-porous, cleanable surfaces (floor, walls, countertops)
D. Adequate lighting and ventilation
[CORRECT] A, B, C, D
,Rationale:
12 VAC 5-371 requires all of these: separate room, hand sink (hot/cold water, soap, paper
towels), smooth, non-porous, cleanable surfaces (to prevent absorption of blood/fluids), and
adequate lighting and ventilation.
Question 4: A permanent makeup practitioner in Virginia must renew their operator permit
every:
A. 6 months
B. 12 months (annually)
C. 24 months
D. 36 months
[CORRECT] B. 12 months (annually)
Rationale:
Operator permits and facility registrations must be renewed annually with the Virginia
Department of Health. Fees and renewal deadlines are specified by VDH.
Question 5: Which of the following is prohibited under Virginia Body Art Regulations? (Select all
that apply)
A. Performing permanent makeup on a minor (under 18)
B. Operating without a valid tattoo license
C. Reusing single-use needles or cartridges
D. Tattooing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
[CORRECT] A, B, C, D
Rationale:
All are prohibited: tattooing minors (12 VAC 5-371-100), operating without license (12 VAC 5-
371-60), reusing single-use items (12 VAC 5-371-230), and tattooing under influence (12 VAC 5-
371-110).
Question 6: Client records for permanent makeup procedures must be retained for a minimum
of:
A. 1 year
, B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
[CORRECT] C. 3 years
Rationale:
12 VAC 5-371 requires that client records be maintained for a minimum of 3 years from the date
of last service. Records must include intake form, informed consent, aftercare instructions,
photos, and procedure notes.
Question 7: Home-based permanent makeup studios are permitted in Virginia under which
condition?
A. Never permitted under any circumstances
B. Permitted if the practitioner has 5+ years of experience
C. Permitted if there is a separate entrance and dedicated space meeting all commercial facility
requirements
D. Permitted only for existing practitioners grandfathered before 2020
[CORRECT] C. Permitted if there is a separate entrance and dedicated space meeting all
commercial facility requirements
Rationale:
Home-based studios are generally prohibited unless the space has a separate entrance and
meets all commercial facility standards (separate room, hand sink, smooth surfaces, ventilation,
etc.) as specified in 12 VAC 5-371.
Question 8: Which signage is required to be posted in a Virginia permanent makeup facility?
(Select all that apply)
A. Operator license and facility registration
B. Cleaning log
C. Sterilization log (autoclave records)
D. Aftercare instructions
[CORRECT] A, B, C, D
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (VDH) BODY ART
REGULATIONS (12 VAC 5-371)
TATTOO LICENSING | PERMANENT COSMETIC
CERTIFICATION
INTRODUCTION .
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for permanent makeup (PMU)
practitioners and tattoo artists preparing for the Virginia Permanent Makeup Licensing Exam for
the current licensing cycle. Virginia regulates permanent makeup as a form of tattooing under
the Virginia Body Art Regulations (12 VAC 5-371), administered by the Virginia Department of
Health (VDH). Practitioners must obtain a tattoo license (not a cosmetology license) and comply
with strict infection control, facility, and record-keeping requirements.
Licensing Information:
Regulatory Authority: Virginia Department of Health (VDH) – Division of Environmental Health
Regulation: 12 VAC 5-371 – Virginia Body Art Regulations
License Type: Tattoo License (permanent makeup is classified as tattooing)
Permits Required: Operator permit (individual practitioner) and facility registration
(establishment)
Minimum Age: 18 years (no exceptions, including parental consent)
Prohibited Locations: Home-based studios generally not permitted unless separate dedicated
space meeting all commercial requirements
Record Retention: Client records minimum 3 years
Inspection Frequency: Initial and periodic inspections by VDH
Renewal Period: Annual
Section 1: Virginia Body Art Regulations and Legal Requirements (Questions 1-
15)
,Question 1: Under Virginia Body Art Regulations (12 VAC 5-371), permanent makeup is legally
classified as:
A. Cosmetology service
B. Medical procedure
C. Tattooing (body art)
D. Esthetic service
[CORRECT] C. Tattooing (body art)
Rationale:
Virginia regulations define permanent makeup as a form of tattooing (body art). Practitioners
must obtain a tattoo license from VDH, not a cosmetology license. Cosmetology licensure does
not authorize performing permanent makeup.
Question 2: What is the minimum legal age to receive permanent makeup in Virginia?
A. 16 years with parental consent
B. 17 years with parental consent
C. 18 years (no exceptions, including parental consent)
D. 21 years
[CORRECT] C. 18 years (no exceptions, including parental consent)
Rationale:
12 VAC 5-371 explicitly prohibits tattooing (including permanent makeup) on any person under
18 years of age. There are no exceptions for parental consent. Violation is a Class 1
misdemeanor.
Question 3: Which of the following is required for a permanent makeup facility in Virginia?
(Select all that apply)
A. Separate room dedicated to body art procedures
B. Hand sink with hot and cold running water
C. Smooth, non-porous, cleanable surfaces (floor, walls, countertops)
D. Adequate lighting and ventilation
[CORRECT] A, B, C, D
,Rationale:
12 VAC 5-371 requires all of these: separate room, hand sink (hot/cold water, soap, paper
towels), smooth, non-porous, cleanable surfaces (to prevent absorption of blood/fluids), and
adequate lighting and ventilation.
Question 4: A permanent makeup practitioner in Virginia must renew their operator permit
every:
A. 6 months
B. 12 months (annually)
C. 24 months
D. 36 months
[CORRECT] B. 12 months (annually)
Rationale:
Operator permits and facility registrations must be renewed annually with the Virginia
Department of Health. Fees and renewal deadlines are specified by VDH.
Question 5: Which of the following is prohibited under Virginia Body Art Regulations? (Select all
that apply)
A. Performing permanent makeup on a minor (under 18)
B. Operating without a valid tattoo license
C. Reusing single-use needles or cartridges
D. Tattooing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
[CORRECT] A, B, C, D
Rationale:
All are prohibited: tattooing minors (12 VAC 5-371-100), operating without license (12 VAC 5-
371-60), reusing single-use items (12 VAC 5-371-230), and tattooing under influence (12 VAC 5-
371-110).
Question 6: Client records for permanent makeup procedures must be retained for a minimum
of:
A. 1 year
, B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
[CORRECT] C. 3 years
Rationale:
12 VAC 5-371 requires that client records be maintained for a minimum of 3 years from the date
of last service. Records must include intake form, informed consent, aftercare instructions,
photos, and procedure notes.
Question 7: Home-based permanent makeup studios are permitted in Virginia under which
condition?
A. Never permitted under any circumstances
B. Permitted if the practitioner has 5+ years of experience
C. Permitted if there is a separate entrance and dedicated space meeting all commercial facility
requirements
D. Permitted only for existing practitioners grandfathered before 2020
[CORRECT] C. Permitted if there is a separate entrance and dedicated space meeting all
commercial facility requirements
Rationale:
Home-based studios are generally prohibited unless the space has a separate entrance and
meets all commercial facility standards (separate room, hand sink, smooth surfaces, ventilation,
etc.) as specified in 12 VAC 5-371.
Question 8: Which signage is required to be posted in a Virginia permanent makeup facility?
(Select all that apply)
A. Operator license and facility registration
B. Cleaning log
C. Sterilization log (autoclave records)
D. Aftercare instructions
[CORRECT] A, B, C, D
