Body Piercing Facilities

Body piercing is a form of body art which includes the act of penetrating the skin to make a hole, mark or scar which is generally designed to be permanent in nature.

ALL businesses that offer body piercing are required to obtain BOTH a Body Piercing Establishment permit AND a Biomedical Waste permit from the Florida Department of Health prior to performing body piercing and annually.  The only exception is those establishments which ONLY pierce through the use of a mechanized, pre-sterilized ear-piercing system that penetrates the outer perimeter or lobe of the ear or both. If any additional portion of the ear or any additional part of the body is pierced, it is considered body piercing and does require a permit.

A person may not perform body piercing on a minor without the written notarized consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian, and an establishment may not perform body piercing on a minor under the age of 16 unless the minor is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian as specified in section 381.0075, Florida Statutes.

How do I apply for a permit to provide body piercing services in Martin County?

Contact us at 772-221-4090 and request to speak to an inspector who works in the Program. Body Piercers are not issued a permit in the State of Florida but are required to complete an approved training course in infection control procedures prior to piercing any individual and annually and may only pierce in a licensed body piercing establishment.

Body Piercing Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find more information, including the laws governing body piercing facilities in Florida?

• Make an Informed Decision/10 FAQs
• Section 381.0075, Florida Statutes
• Chapter 64E-19, Florida Administrative Code
• Florida Department of Health Body Piercing

Where can I find results of body piercing establishment inspections?

The Department maintains inspection data for body piercing establishments.