Membership Types & Eligibility Criteria

Membership Types

Professional Business Member

Works full time as a piercer, and has more than one year of professional experience. Must meet both personal and environmental criteria for membership. Download application | Download Questionaire | Download Health & Safety Agreement | Member Name & Logo Usage Agreement

Professional Member at Large

"An existing professional business member who is piercing temporarily or periodically at one or more studios that meet environmental criteria OR a previous professional business member who is still contributing to the piercing industry although they are no longer piercing. This type of membership and its limitations will be at the discretion of the board." Download application | Download Questionaire | Download Health & Safety Agreement | Member Name & Logo Usage Agreement

Associate Member

Has less than one year of professional experience, or is a non-piercer working in a piercing establishment. If working as a piercer, personal and environmental criteria must be met. If working as a non-piercer, environmental criteria must be met. Download application | Member Name & Logo Usage Agreement

Corporate Associate

Is an entity or individual working in a field or providing a service that is associated with the application of body piercing. Examples of Corporate Associate Members are jewelry manufacturers, medical suppliers, insurers, educators, etc. Applicants must contact the current Secretary for a list of criteria. Download application | Download Logo Usage Agreement

Patron

Is someone not actively involved in the body piercing industry, but who supports the APP and its goals. This membership may not be used for the promotion of any form of piercing services, jewelry sales or web services. Dues are the only requirement for this membership. Download application | Member Name & Logo Usage Agreement

*International

Is a subdivision of memberships for piercers or non-piercers working in the piercing industry outside of North America. International personal criteria differs slightly from the standard to accommodate for classes and training, among other continental differences.

Each member heading has its own logo. Advertisement limitations apply.
MISUSE OF LOGO WILL RESULT IN TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP and possible posting on the Imposters Page.

Eligibility Criteria

Environmental

The facility in which a piercer works is crucial to his/her effectiveness. Knowing that all surfaces in the piercing room are cleanable, that all equipment and products are stored safely, and that biohazardous/sterile areas are well managed, offers both the piercer and client the assurance that the best standards of sanitation are being observed. Documentation is also a vital part of the piercing practice. Every client should fill out a release form and be provided with both written and verbal aftercare. In order to demonstrate the level of safety and documentation within the applicant's studio the following must be provided:

• A $25 processing fee per video. One video is required per studio.
• A walk through 360 degree video of applicant’s entire studio including store front, foyer, piercing room(s), biohazard area, sterilization area, restroom, inside all drawers, closets, etc. Narration is appreciated.
• Photograph of applicant’s autoclave(s) with make, model and serial number printed on the back of photo (autoclaves should be medical grade with a dry cycle).
• Copy of the two most recent spore test results from autoclave(s) in photograph(s).
• Copies of all release forms in use at applicant’s studio.
• Copies of all aftercare information distributed at applicant’s studio.
• Copy of studio’s business license.
• Business card.
• One or more samples of applicant’s advertising.

Personal

• A completed copy of this application form.
• A completed questionnaire, preferably type written.
• A copy of current CPR certification or equivalent training (valid until expiration date on certificate).
• A copy of current First Aid certification or equivalent training (valid until expiration date on certificate).
• A copy of current Bloodborne Pathogen Training Certificate or equivalent training (despite expiration date, this must be renewed annually to maintain membership).
• Signed Health and Safety Agreement.
• Proof of how long piercer has been piercing professionally. A notarized statement*, dated business document, or newspaper article are examples of appropriate proof.
  
  *If a notarized statement is submitted as proof, it must come from a party other than the applicant.
  
  As an Applicant to the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), I understand that my video tape (and other materials) becomes the property of the APP. I, hereby release the APP and/or their legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use these materials, for education and training; and for any other purpose and in any manner and medium. I hereby release the APP and his/her/their legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability relating to said tapes and materials.

* This training is available at the APP annual conference, or through the Red Cross (1 800-897-3452), and the National Safety Council (1 -800-621 -7619) . The Preventing Disease Transmission course offered by the Red Cross is not currently recognized by OSHA, it is however adequate training to achieve membership.

If you would like a hard-copy of all the necessary documents mailed to you or have any questions please contact:

APP Administration
Post Office Box 1287
Lawrence KS 66044
888-888-1277
785-841-6060
info@safepiercing.org

Dues

* Dues are billed upon acceptance. DO NOT SEND them with your application; DO SEND a non-refundable $25.00 processing fee per video. One video is required per studio.

“WALK THROUGH 360 Degree VIDEO” CRITERIA

Revised 01/2003

The purpose of submitting a walk through 360 degree video with your membership application is to help us determine the level of health and safety awareness in your studio. We look for the criteria on this list, and also note anything that may be a potential hazard to clients or staff. Items that are required for membership have been labeled as such. Other items are strong suggestions that are not required for membership of themselves, however the studio that lacks several of these may not be operating at the level that is desired of APP members.

         FRONT COUNTER/DISPLAY AREA

• REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP: The counter surface should be glass, metal, or other non-porous surface that can be disinfected several times each day.
• Gloves and disposable products to prevent cross-contamination should be kept at the front counter area.
  
  BIOHAZARD/STERILIZATION ROOM(S)
• REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP: Having a completely separate and enclosed biohazard room for processing used implements, jewelry and supplies is crucial to your health and safety and that of your clients.
• REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP: All flooring in the piercing room/s and biohazard room must be non-porous.
• REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP: There must be clear delineation between clean and dirty areas. Biohazard areas should be labeled as such. The ultrasonic unit and the sink used for rinsing contaminated tools should be positioned as far away from sterilizer as possible to reduce the risk of contaminating freshly autoclaved items. If space is a problem, one solution would be to install a Plexiglas barrier to divide clean and dirty areas.
• There should be at a minimum one ultrasonic cleaner to process contaminated items (many studios have a second ultrasonic cleaning unit used only to process new jewelry). Failure to remove debris from instruments or jewelry prior to sterilization can negatively affect the efficacy of the autoclave. The Center for Disease Control considers manual scrubbing of instruments to be an act that will actually increase the likelihood of exposure, due to pathogens on the equipment becoming airborne.
• An air purifier or separate ventilation for this space is strongly suggested.
• Hand washing should never take place at the contaminated sink.
  
  PUBLIC/EMPLOYEE RESTROOM
• REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP: No sterilization equipment may be housed in the public restroom.
  The restroom used by employees should have liquid soap and a paper towel dispenser with easy, one-handed access.
  
  PIERCING ROOM
• REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP: Having a completely separate enclosed piercing room with walls and door(s) is a required. No other services such as tattooing, hair styling, or retail sales should take place within this room.
• REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP: All flooring in the piercing room/s must be non-porous.
• REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP: All surfaces in the piercing room that could potentially be contaminated during a procedure must be non-porous to allow for proper cleaning. This includes piercing table, mat and base, shelving, and counters.
• REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP: Pre-sterilized piercing implements should be kept in something enclosed and non- porous.
• It is strongly suggested that there be clear delineation between clean and dirty areas. The sharps container and contaminated-tools tray should not be close to sterilized piercing implements and supplies. One solution would be to install a biohazard-labeled shelf above the trashcan for the contaminated materials, thereby establishing a single contamination area in the room.
  q Used piercing implements should be kept in a non-porous tray or container. The container should be lidded and marked “Biohazard”.
• The sharps container should be secure to avoid accidental spillage. In the United States, OSHA requires that the sharps container should be mounted with the opening 56” from the floor and that operators have reasonable access to it.
• All biohazardous waste containers should be marked as biohazard, be lidded and have foot operation. It is appropriate to label your other lidded trashcans “Do Not Touch.”
• A HEPA air filter or other air purification system located in the piercing room is extremely beneficial, especially if other services are offered within the studio.
• As many things as possible in the piercing room should be non-porous. All pictures, posters, and wall hangings should be framed.
• As many products as possible should be sterile and single use. This includes the marking implement.
• All packaged equipment, sundry jars, or any other things used during a piercing should be handled only with clean freshly gloved hands.
  
  EMPLOYEE HAND-WASHING AREA
• REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP: Reasonable access to a sink used for hand-washing is mandatory. In-room prep sinks are preferable.
• The sink used for pre and post-piercing hand-washing optimally would operate via a hands-free method.
• Liquid soap and paper towel dispensers should have easy, one-handed access. This will greatly reduce the likelihood of cross-contamination.

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