South Carolina Tattoo Laws

16-17-700. Tattooing.

It is illegal to tattoo any part of the body of another person. A licensed physician or surgeon allowed tattooing part of a patient's body.
A person who violates the provisions of this section, must be fined in the discretion of the court

HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 395, eff April 29, 1986; 1993 Act No. 184, §§ 187, eff January 1, 1994.

A BILL
TO AMEND TITLE 44 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 34, TO PROVIDE FOR THE STANDARDS, REQUIREMENTS, AND PROCEDURES OF TATTOOING CERTAIN PERSONS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-17- 700, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO TATTOO ANOTHER PERSON UNLESS THE TATTOO ARTIST MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 34 OF TITLE 44.

Section 44-34-10

Definitions

• Department: Department of Health and Environmental Control
• Tattoo facility: Any room, space, area, location or any part of any places, where tattooing business is practiced or conducted.
• Tattoo artist: A person who practicing the body piercing or tattooing.
• Tattoo or tattooing: A mark or color the skin by introduction of pigments.

Section 44-34-20.

• The Department of Health and Environmental Control must set up by regulation sterilization, sanitation, and safety standards for person doing the tattooing practice.
• Before starting the tattooing business or operation, one must obtain the license issued by the department. To obtain the license, the tattoo facility must
  • have a copy of the department's standards and commit on that.
  • provide business address to the department.
  • provide a certificate of successful completion of the courses in bloodborne pathogens and tattoo infection control as approved by the department and a current American Red Cross First Aid Certificate and an Adult Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification obtained from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.

Section 44-34-60.

• The department may take unannounced inspections or investigation in case of any complaint of area at which tattooing is being performed.
• Each tattoo facility place must prominently display in a public place or area on the premises of the licensed tattooing.
• A license shall issue by the department only.
• A tattoo artist must verify the age of each person or recipient. Each recipient shall be of twenty-one years old or eighteen years old person must have parent consent.
• For age verification purpose, tattooist may check for driver's license or an official photographic id card issued by the South Carolina Department of Revenue, a federal or state law enforcement agency, an agency of the United States Department of Defense, or the United States Department of State. Proof that the defendant demanded.

• Administrator: A person having the author and responsibility to manage the tattooing facility.
• Aftercare Suggestions: Infection control and instructions.
• Aseptic Technique: Any health care procedures.
• Biohazardous: Refers to human tissue, cells, body fluids, or culture materials that may contain infectious or other hazardous materials.