Permanent-makeup techs irked over proposed regs

Nevada's permanent-makeup industry is largely unregulated and subject to minimal fees, but an Assembly bill now in committee would mark the profession with more fees and state licensing.

This is something that raises concerns for Carson City permanent-makeup specialist Laura Burns.

"I think if you're going to regulate body art you shouldn't separate permanent makeup from tattooing," she said Monday about AB360.

The bill makes it unlawful to practice permanent cosmetics without a license. It also says the Nevada Health Division must adopt regulations concerning permanent cosmetics and charge a fee for issuing and renewing licenses. Tattoo artists are excluded from the proposed law.

Burns received a phone call from the bill's primary supporter, Assemblywoman Valerie Weber, R-Clark County, who told her that technicians would be required to pass a national exam, such as the ones conducted by the American Academy of Micropigmentation or the Society of Permanent Cosmetics Professionals.

"I don't feel bureaucracies need to get in way of my livelihood," Burns said. "These are private organizations, not health or state organizations."

According to its Web site, the American Academy of Micropigmentation is a nonprofit organization that promotes excellence in micropigmentation through a voluntary examination process. Its goal is to promote legislation for all practitioners in each state.

The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals, also a nonprofit professional association, certifies technicians and advocates for industry guidelines. Both organizations charge from $100 to $200 for the tests.

Weber said she proposed the bill to protect consumers from unsafe practitioners and reward those who get the proper training. She said including conventional tattoo artists in the bill would have been "too much too soon."

Weber said the two national permanent-makeup organizations provide ethical regulations that are not currently in place.

"They'll work just like a school of cosmetology," Weber said. "I think that's an appropriate barrier to entry."

The provision is still up to the commerce and labor committee, which meets again on Wednesday to discuss the bill.

Burns, a board member of the Conventional & Cosmetic Tattoo Association, said she takes her career seriously and has invested $40,000 into it. She said joining one of the other two organizations would just cost more money.

Tiffany McMasters, owner of Eternally Yours Permanent Cosmetics, said technicians are uniting over this legislation and are willing to fight it. About seven technicians work in Carson City, according to the environmental health bureau.

"I think that if they're going to regulate permanent cosmetics they need to do the same to tattooing because it's the same business," she said. "If they want to take on the tattooing industry, so be it. I find it discriminatory. We're regulated the same way tattooing is now. Why make us spend more money and extra time to jump through hoops?"

Dustin Boothe, Health Department investigator, said the only thing the state requires from permanent-makeup technicians, tattoo artists and body piercers is a business license and a general sanitation permit that is issued to the location where the technician is working.

The one-time fee for the first inspection is $25.

If AB360 becomes law, any violations are punishable by $500 to $1,500 citations, restriction or suspension of a license.

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.