VA DPOR TATTOOING & PERMANENT
COSMETIC TATTOO (PCT) REGULATIONS
300 QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES LATEST
UPDATE 2026
QUESTIONS 150: DEFINITIONS AND KEY TERMINOLOGY
Question 1
What does "tattoo" mean under Virginia law?
A) The temporary application of any design to the skin surface
B) The placement of any design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol, or any other mark
upon or under the skin with ink or any other substance resulting in permanent
coloration, including permanent makeup or permanent jewelry
C) The application of cosmetics to the face using any instrument
D) Any marking of the skin that fades within two years
Correct Answer: B — Under Virginia Code § 18.2371.3, "tattoo" means to place
any design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol or any other mark upon or under the skin
of any person with ink or any other substance resulting in the permanent coloration
of the skin, including permanent makeup or permanent jewelry, by the aid of
needles or any other instrument designed to touch or puncture the skin.
,Question 2
Which agency has the authority to issue, renew, or revoke a Master Permanent
Cosmetic Tattooed license in Virginia?
A) Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
B) Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology
C) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
directly
D) Virginia State Corporation Commission
Correct Answer: B — The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, which operates
under DPOR, has the authority to license tattooers, permanent cosmetic tattooers,
master permanent cosmetic tattooers, and body piercers.
Question 3
What is the definition of "permanent cosmetic tattooer" under Virginia regulations?
A) Any person who applies cosmetics to the face using nonpermanent methods
B) Any person who for compensation practices permanent cosmetic tattooing
C) Any person who performs only eyebrow tattooing
D) Any person who works exclusively in a medical setting
,Correct Answer: B — A permanent cosmetic tattooer is defined as any person who
for compensation practices permanent cosmetic tattooing. This includes various
procedures such as permanent makeup applications.
Question 4
What is a "master permanent cosmetic tattooer" under Virginia law?
A) Any person who has been practicing for over 10 years
B) Any person who for compensation practices permanent cosmetic tattooing
known in the industry as advanced permanent cosmetic tattooing, including but not
limited to cheek blush
C) Any person who owns a tattoo parlor
D) Any person who trains apprentices
Correct Answer: B — A master permanent cosmetic tattooer is defined as any
person who for compensation practices permanent cosmetic tattooing known in the
industry as advanced permanent cosmetic tattooing, including but not limited to
cheek blush, areola repigmentation, and scar camouflage.
Question 5
Which of the following is NOT included in the definition of a "tattoo"?
A) Permanent makeup
B) Permanent jewelry
C) Temporary airbrush tattoos
D) Any mark placed under the skin with ink resulting in permanent coloration
, Correct Answer: C — Temporary airbrush tattoos are not included in the legal
definition of "tattoo" because they do not involve placing ink or substance under
the skin resulting in permanent coloration. The definition specifically requires
placement upon or under the skin resulting in permanent coloration.
Question 6
What is a "tattoo parlor" under Virginia regulations?
A) Any location where temporary tattoos are applied
B) Any place in which tattooing is performed for compensation
C) Any retail store selling tattoo supplies
D) Any medical facility performing dermatological procedures
Correct Answer: B — A tattoo parlor is defined as any place in which tattooing is
performed for compensation. This includes fixed locations as well as mobile
parlors.
Question 7
What is a "permanent cosmetic tattoo salon" under Virginia law?
A) Any place in which permanent cosmetic tattooing is performed for
compensation
B) Any cosmetics retail store
C) Any medical spa offering Botox
COSMETIC TATTOO (PCT) REGULATIONS
300 QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES LATEST
UPDATE 2026
QUESTIONS 150: DEFINITIONS AND KEY TERMINOLOGY
Question 1
What does "tattoo" mean under Virginia law?
A) The temporary application of any design to the skin surface
B) The placement of any design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol, or any other mark
upon or under the skin with ink or any other substance resulting in permanent
coloration, including permanent makeup or permanent jewelry
C) The application of cosmetics to the face using any instrument
D) Any marking of the skin that fades within two years
Correct Answer: B — Under Virginia Code § 18.2371.3, "tattoo" means to place
any design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol or any other mark upon or under the skin
of any person with ink or any other substance resulting in the permanent coloration
of the skin, including permanent makeup or permanent jewelry, by the aid of
needles or any other instrument designed to touch or puncture the skin.
,Question 2
Which agency has the authority to issue, renew, or revoke a Master Permanent
Cosmetic Tattooed license in Virginia?
A) Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
B) Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology
C) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
directly
D) Virginia State Corporation Commission
Correct Answer: B — The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, which operates
under DPOR, has the authority to license tattooers, permanent cosmetic tattooers,
master permanent cosmetic tattooers, and body piercers.
Question 3
What is the definition of "permanent cosmetic tattooer" under Virginia regulations?
A) Any person who applies cosmetics to the face using nonpermanent methods
B) Any person who for compensation practices permanent cosmetic tattooing
C) Any person who performs only eyebrow tattooing
D) Any person who works exclusively in a medical setting
,Correct Answer: B — A permanent cosmetic tattooer is defined as any person who
for compensation practices permanent cosmetic tattooing. This includes various
procedures such as permanent makeup applications.
Question 4
What is a "master permanent cosmetic tattooer" under Virginia law?
A) Any person who has been practicing for over 10 years
B) Any person who for compensation practices permanent cosmetic tattooing
known in the industry as advanced permanent cosmetic tattooing, including but not
limited to cheek blush
C) Any person who owns a tattoo parlor
D) Any person who trains apprentices
Correct Answer: B — A master permanent cosmetic tattooer is defined as any
person who for compensation practices permanent cosmetic tattooing known in the
industry as advanced permanent cosmetic tattooing, including but not limited to
cheek blush, areola repigmentation, and scar camouflage.
Question 5
Which of the following is NOT included in the definition of a "tattoo"?
A) Permanent makeup
B) Permanent jewelry
C) Temporary airbrush tattoos
D) Any mark placed under the skin with ink resulting in permanent coloration
, Correct Answer: C — Temporary airbrush tattoos are not included in the legal
definition of "tattoo" because they do not involve placing ink or substance under
the skin resulting in permanent coloration. The definition specifically requires
placement upon or under the skin resulting in permanent coloration.
Question 6
What is a "tattoo parlor" under Virginia regulations?
A) Any location where temporary tattoos are applied
B) Any place in which tattooing is performed for compensation
C) Any retail store selling tattoo supplies
D) Any medical facility performing dermatological procedures
Correct Answer: B — A tattoo parlor is defined as any place in which tattooing is
performed for compensation. This includes fixed locations as well as mobile
parlors.
Question 7
What is a "permanent cosmetic tattoo salon" under Virginia law?
A) Any place in which permanent cosmetic tattooing is performed for
compensation
B) Any cosmetics retail store
C) Any medical spa offering Botox
