Questions #24 and 25: Tattoos and Piercings - LabCE.com, Laboratory Continuing Education

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Donor Selection: The Donor History Questionnaire. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Donor Selection: The Donor History Questionnaire (online CE course)

Questions #24 and 25: Tattoos and Piercings

	Yes	No
In the past 3 months, have you
24. Had a tattoo?
25. Had ear or body piercing?

Many states regulate and require licensing for tattoo establishments. These establishments use sterilized or single-use needles and single-use ink. Persons who have received tattoos or permanent make-up such as eyeliner, lipliner, or microblading in state-regulated establishments are allowed to donate with no deferral period. Otherwise, donors are deferred for 3 months from the date of service due to concerns over hepatitis exposure.

Ear or body piercing is cause for a 3 month deferral unless the piercing is performed with single-use equipment. Reused and sterilized equipment for ear or body piercing still requires a 3 month deferral.

6. Hanakam, Bernhard. "The process of applying a tattoo." Wikimedia Commons, 14 May 2016, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%81_%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F_%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%83%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%B8.jpg.

States that do not currently regulate tattoo facilities and are subject to a 3 month deferral include: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. (6)