VA TATTOOING EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
– COMPLETE HEALTH & SAFETY REVIEW
1. Which of the following is the MOST effective way to prevent the transmission of
Bloodborne Pathogens?
A. Wearing gloves
B. Proper handwashing
C. Using an autoclave
D. Getting the Hepatitis B vaccine
Answer: B. Proper handwashing. While all are important, hand hygiene is the single most
effective practice.
2. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to provide an exposure
control plan that includes:
A. A list of all clients
B. A schedule of tattoo prices
C. Procedures for evaluating exposure incidents
D. A list of competitors
Answer: C. Procedures for evaluating exposure incidents.
3. Hepatitis B can survive on a dry surface for at least:
A. 1 hour
B. 1 day
C. 1 week
D. 1 month
Answer: C. 1 week.
4. Which of the following is an engineering control?
A. A sharps container
B. Wearing gloves
C. A written safety manual
D. An annual training class
Answer: A. A sharps container.
5. After an accidental needlestick, the first immediate action should be to:
A. Report to the supervisor
B. Go to the emergency room
C. Encourage bleeding and wash the area
,D. Fill out an incident report
Answer: C. Encourage bleeding and wash the area.
6. The purpose of a sharps container is to:
A. Store new needles before use.
B. Dispose of used needles and other sharp objects safely.
C. Hold used razors for cleaning.
D. Organize tube and grip setups.
Answer: B. Dispose of used needles and other sharp objects safely.
7. Contaminated sharps containers should be replaced when they are:
A. One year old
B. Half full
C. Three-quarters full
D. Completely full
Answer: C. Three-quarters full.
8. Which of the following best describes Universal Precautions?
A. Treating all blood and certain body fluids as if they are infectious.
B. Only being concerned with clients who look sick.
C. Using precautions only with known HIV-positive clients.
D. Wearing gloves for every procedure.
Answer: A. Treating all blood and certain body fluids as if they are infectious.
9. The most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States is:
A. HIV
B. Hepatitis A
C. Hepatitis B
D. Hepatitis C
Answer: D. Hepatitis C.
10. A work practice control is defined as:
A. A device that isolates or removes a hazard.
B. A procedure that reduces the likelihood of exposure by altering the way a task is performed.
C. Clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection.
D. A written document outlining safety rules.
Answer: B. A procedure that reduces the likelihood of exposure by altering the way a task is
performed.
11. Which item is considered regulated medical waste?
A. Unused ink
,B. A used glove with no visible blood
C. A used needle
D. A paper stencil
Answer: C. A used needle.
12. The Hepatitis B vaccine is typically offered to exposed employees:
A. At their own expense after an incident.
B. Only after an exposure incident occurs.
C. Free of charge within 10 working days of initial assignment.
D. Only if they request it.
Answer: C. Free of charge within 10 working days of initial assignment.
13. Handwashing should be performed:
A. Only after removing gloves.
B. Before putting on gloves and immediately after removing them.
C. Only if gloves tear during a procedure.
D. At the beginning and end of the workday.
Answer: B. Before putting on gloves and immediately after removing them.
14. An example of a contaminated sharp includes all EXCEPT:
A. Used tattoo needle
B. Used dental broach
C. Used ink cap
D. Used razor blade
Answer: C. Used ink cap. Ink caps are not sharp and are considered other regulated waste.
15. The document that details the steps to follow after an exposure incident is the:
A. Exposure Control Plan
B. Shop Safety Manual
C. Client Consent Form
D. OSHA 300 Log
Answer: A. Exposure Control Plan
16. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) must be:
A. Provided by the employee.
B. Provided by the employer at no cost to the employee.
C. Shared among artists.
D. Only used for clients with known infections.
Answer: B. Provided by the employer at no cost to the employee.
, 17. Which of the following is the correct order for donning PPE?
A. Gloves, Mask, Gown
B. Gown, Mask, Gloves
C. Mask, Gown, Gloves
D. Gloves, Gown, Mask
Answer: C. Mask, Gown, Gloves
18. The primary purpose of an antiseptic is to:
A. Disinfect surfaces
B. Inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the skin
C. Sterilize instruments
D. Clean up blood spills
Answer: B. Inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the skin
19. HIV is a virus that:
A. Is easily transmitted through casual contact.
B. Can survive for long periods outside the body.
C. Attacks the human immune system.
D. Has an effective vaccine for prevention.
Answer: C. Attacks the human immune system.
20. A biohazard symbol must be placed on:
A. All containers of disinfectant.
B. Containers of regulated waste, refrigerators containing blood, and contaminated equipment.
C. Every client's file.
D. The front door of the studio.
Answer: B. Containers of regulated waste, refrigerators containing blood, and contaminated
equipment.
21. If a glove tears during a tattoo procedure, the artist should:
A. Finish the procedure quickly.
B. Apply tape over the tear.
C. Stop immediately, remove the torn glove, wash hands, and put on a new glove.
D. Put a new glove over the torn one.
Answer: C. Stop immediately, remove the torn glove, wash hands, and put on a new glove.
22. The term "pathogen" refers to:
A. A type of disinfectant.
B. A microorganism that can cause disease.
C. A protective garment.
– COMPLETE HEALTH & SAFETY REVIEW
1. Which of the following is the MOST effective way to prevent the transmission of
Bloodborne Pathogens?
A. Wearing gloves
B. Proper handwashing
C. Using an autoclave
D. Getting the Hepatitis B vaccine
Answer: B. Proper handwashing. While all are important, hand hygiene is the single most
effective practice.
2. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to provide an exposure
control plan that includes:
A. A list of all clients
B. A schedule of tattoo prices
C. Procedures for evaluating exposure incidents
D. A list of competitors
Answer: C. Procedures for evaluating exposure incidents.
3. Hepatitis B can survive on a dry surface for at least:
A. 1 hour
B. 1 day
C. 1 week
D. 1 month
Answer: C. 1 week.
4. Which of the following is an engineering control?
A. A sharps container
B. Wearing gloves
C. A written safety manual
D. An annual training class
Answer: A. A sharps container.
5. After an accidental needlestick, the first immediate action should be to:
A. Report to the supervisor
B. Go to the emergency room
C. Encourage bleeding and wash the area
,D. Fill out an incident report
Answer: C. Encourage bleeding and wash the area.
6. The purpose of a sharps container is to:
A. Store new needles before use.
B. Dispose of used needles and other sharp objects safely.
C. Hold used razors for cleaning.
D. Organize tube and grip setups.
Answer: B. Dispose of used needles and other sharp objects safely.
7. Contaminated sharps containers should be replaced when they are:
A. One year old
B. Half full
C. Three-quarters full
D. Completely full
Answer: C. Three-quarters full.
8. Which of the following best describes Universal Precautions?
A. Treating all blood and certain body fluids as if they are infectious.
B. Only being concerned with clients who look sick.
C. Using precautions only with known HIV-positive clients.
D. Wearing gloves for every procedure.
Answer: A. Treating all blood and certain body fluids as if they are infectious.
9. The most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States is:
A. HIV
B. Hepatitis A
C. Hepatitis B
D. Hepatitis C
Answer: D. Hepatitis C.
10. A work practice control is defined as:
A. A device that isolates or removes a hazard.
B. A procedure that reduces the likelihood of exposure by altering the way a task is performed.
C. Clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection.
D. A written document outlining safety rules.
Answer: B. A procedure that reduces the likelihood of exposure by altering the way a task is
performed.
11. Which item is considered regulated medical waste?
A. Unused ink
,B. A used glove with no visible blood
C. A used needle
D. A paper stencil
Answer: C. A used needle.
12. The Hepatitis B vaccine is typically offered to exposed employees:
A. At their own expense after an incident.
B. Only after an exposure incident occurs.
C. Free of charge within 10 working days of initial assignment.
D. Only if they request it.
Answer: C. Free of charge within 10 working days of initial assignment.
13. Handwashing should be performed:
A. Only after removing gloves.
B. Before putting on gloves and immediately after removing them.
C. Only if gloves tear during a procedure.
D. At the beginning and end of the workday.
Answer: B. Before putting on gloves and immediately after removing them.
14. An example of a contaminated sharp includes all EXCEPT:
A. Used tattoo needle
B. Used dental broach
C. Used ink cap
D. Used razor blade
Answer: C. Used ink cap. Ink caps are not sharp and are considered other regulated waste.
15. The document that details the steps to follow after an exposure incident is the:
A. Exposure Control Plan
B. Shop Safety Manual
C. Client Consent Form
D. OSHA 300 Log
Answer: A. Exposure Control Plan
16. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) must be:
A. Provided by the employee.
B. Provided by the employer at no cost to the employee.
C. Shared among artists.
D. Only used for clients with known infections.
Answer: B. Provided by the employer at no cost to the employee.
, 17. Which of the following is the correct order for donning PPE?
A. Gloves, Mask, Gown
B. Gown, Mask, Gloves
C. Mask, Gown, Gloves
D. Gloves, Gown, Mask
Answer: C. Mask, Gown, Gloves
18. The primary purpose of an antiseptic is to:
A. Disinfect surfaces
B. Inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the skin
C. Sterilize instruments
D. Clean up blood spills
Answer: B. Inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the skin
19. HIV is a virus that:
A. Is easily transmitted through casual contact.
B. Can survive for long periods outside the body.
C. Attacks the human immune system.
D. Has an effective vaccine for prevention.
Answer: C. Attacks the human immune system.
20. A biohazard symbol must be placed on:
A. All containers of disinfectant.
B. Containers of regulated waste, refrigerators containing blood, and contaminated equipment.
C. Every client's file.
D. The front door of the studio.
Answer: B. Containers of regulated waste, refrigerators containing blood, and contaminated
equipment.
21. If a glove tears during a tattoo procedure, the artist should:
A. Finish the procedure quickly.
B. Apply tape over the tear.
C. Stop immediately, remove the torn glove, wash hands, and put on a new glove.
D. Put a new glove over the torn one.
Answer: C. Stop immediately, remove the torn glove, wash hands, and put on a new glove.
22. The term "pathogen" refers to:
A. A type of disinfectant.
B. A microorganism that can cause disease.
C. A protective garment.
