Bloodborne pathogens training requirements for tattoo and piercing artists in Colorado

Boulder County

Boulder County Public Health's Body Art Regulations (revised October 12, 2020), section 2-201, require every body artist to show proof of completing a bloodborne pathogen course within 60 days of hire, renewed every year. Artists must also be vaccinated against hepatitis B or give the establishment's manager or owner a written statement declining the vaccine, and must be at least 18.

The regulations define "approved" as acceptable to Boulder County Public Health. They don't set a minimum number of training hours.

Arapahoe County

Arapahoe County Public Health requires body artists to complete an approved bloodborne pathogens course within 90 days of being hired, obtain a written certificate of completion, and post it in a conspicuous place. The department publishes a list of approved courses and says other courses may be approved after review if the artist notifies it before taking the course.

Other counties

Denver, Jefferson County, and other Colorado health departments license body art under their own regulations. Check the body art page of your county or district health department for its training rule, deadline after hire, and whether it keeps an approved-course list.

What the training needs to cover

County rules sit on top of the OSHA standard, which applies to studios with employees. Inspectors generally look for knowledge of bloodborne pathogens and universal precautions plus studio practice: single-use needles and ink, barriers, instrument cleaning and sterilization, and exposure response. Bloodborne Cert's tattoo track includes a body art module covering that studio practice.

Bloodborne Cert has not yet been approved by name by any Colorado county. If your county requires a listed provider, confirm with the department before you buy.