North Dakota Overhauls Body Art Regulations: New Administrative Code Effective October 2026

North Dakota Quiz

1. 1. Under North Dakota's Chapter 33-41-01.1, which liquid is permitted for diluting tattoo ink, dyes, or pigments?

   • ✓ Distilled or sterile water only — The regulation explicitly mandates distilled or sterile water for dilution to prevent microbial contamination.
   • • Potable tap water — Potable water is expressly prohibited by the code due to the risk of introducing microbial contamination.
   • • Sterile saline solution — Although sterile, saline is not specified or approved by the code for ink dilution.
   • • Purified spring water — Bottled or purified spring water does not meet the sterile or distilled specification required under the new code.

2. 2. According to Article 33-41-01.1-04, where are ear-piercing guns and stud-and-clasp systems permitted to be used?

   • ✓ Outer non-cartilaginous perimeter and lobe of the ear only — The new code restricts stud-and-clasp systems strictly to the earlobe and outer non-cartilaginous perimeter, prohibiting their use elsewhere.
   • • Any tissue on the ear, including cartilage, but nowhere else on the body — Cartilage piercings using stud-and-clasp systems or guns are explicitly prohibited under the updated regulations.
   • • Any soft tissue area of the human body that can fit within the device jaws — The code prohibits the use of ear-piercing guns on body areas outside the outer non-cartilaginous ear perimeter and lobe.
   • • Ear lobe and nostril tissue only — Nostril piercings with stud-and-clasp systems or guns are prohibited under the specified section.

3. 3. How long must a studio maintain records of jewelry specifications, client informed consent forms, and procedure logs?

   • ✓ Minimum of two years post-procedure — The code mandates a two-year post-procedure retention period for all client consent forms, logs, and jewelry specification records.
   • • Minimum of one year post-procedure — A one-year retention period falls short of the two-year minimum required by the State Department of Health.
   • • Minimum of five years post-procedure — Five years exceeds the explicit two-year record retention requirement set forth in the code.
   • • Indefinitely for active clients and three years for inactive clients — The regulation sets a uniform two-year post-procedure retention timeline rather than varying times based on active client status.

4. 4. What specific handwashing facility requirement is mandated by Article 33-41-01.1-02?

   • ✓ Handwashing stations with soap and disposable towels at every work station — The code requires designated handwashing facilities equipped with soap and single-use towels directly at each individual work station.
   • • At least one handwashing station within 25 feet of any procedure area — A shared station within a specific distance does not satisfy the requirement for dedicated stations at every work station.
   • • A centralized handwashing station located in the main prep room — Centralized prep room sinks do not meet the mandate requiring handwashing facilities located at each individual work station.
   • • Handwashing stations located inside every client restroom facility — Standard restroom sinks do not replace the required operator handwashing stations at each procedure work station.

5. 5. Which standard is listed under Article 33-41-01.1-03 for titanium initial piercing jewelry?

   • ✓ Titanium certified to ASTM F67 or ASTM F136 — The new code explicitly approves ASTM F67 and ASTM F136 titanium as compliant implant-grade materials for initial piercings.
   • • Titanium certified to ASTM F138 or ASTM F316 — ASTM F138 is a surgical stainless steel standard rather than a titanium standard specified in the code.
   • • Commercial Grade 5 titanium polished to a mirror finish — Commercial grade designations without specific ASTM implant-grade certifications are not recognized under the standard.
   • • Anodized titanium alloys without documented material lot numbers — Regardless of finishing, initial piercing jewelry must meet specific ASTM standards and have traceable lot numbers recorded.

6. 6. Under the definitions in Chapter 33-41-01.1, what must 'aftercare' include?

   • ✓ Both verbal and written instructions specific to each procedure, including guidance on when to seek medical treatment — The expanded definition of aftercare requires both verbal and written procedure-specific instructions along with explicit medical care guidance.
   • • Written instructions provided to the client prior to starting the procedure — Aftercare must include both verbal and written delivery, rather than written instructions alone prior to the service.
   • • Verbal instructions given after the procedure, supplemented by a generic online care sheet — Generic sheets do not satisfy the requirement for procedure-specific written instructions provided directly to the client.
   • • Written instructions detailing recommended commercial ointment brands and general skin care — Aftercare must be specific to the procedure performed and must include instructions regarding when to seek medical evaluation.

7. 7. What requirement does Article 33-41-01.1-03 establish for gold used in initial piercings?

   • ✓ It must be solid 14k or higher gold — The regulations specify that any gold used for initial piercings must be solid and at least 14 karat in purity.
   • • It must be solid 10k or higher gold — Ten-karat gold does not meet the higher purity threshold mandated by the body art code.
   • • Gold-filled or gold-plated metal of at least 18k purity is acceptable — Plated or filled metals are excluded because coatings can wear off, exposing underlying unapproved metals.
   • • Any solid gold alloy polished smooth, regardless of karat rating — A minimum purity rating of 14k is strictly required for solid gold initial piercing jewelry under the code.

8. 8. Which disclosures must be included on the client informed consent release form under Article 33-41-01.1-07?

   • ✓ Medical conditions, medications, allergies, and pregnancy status — The code mandates designated space on the consent release form for clients to disclose these specific health factors.
   • • Medical conditions, emergency contact, blood type, and primary physician — Neither blood type nor primary physician info is specified as a mandatory disclosure field on the release form.
   • • Allergies, skin type, previous body art reactions, and home address — While client identification is required, specific fields like skin type classification are not outlined in the consent form mandate.
   • • Current medications, vaccination history, communicable disease status, and insurance details — Vaccination history and insurance details are not part of the required disclosures listed in the regulation.

9. 9. Under Article 33-41-01.1-17, what authority is granted to State Department of Health inspectors?

   • ✓ Right to enter premises during business hours to observe practices, review records, and collect samples — The inspection authority provisions explicitly allow health officials entry during operational hours for compliance monitoring.
   • • Right to enter premises only after delivering a 48-hour advance written notice — Health officials are granted direct inspection access during business hours without a requirement for advance notice.
   • • Right to inspect physical premises and records, but prohibited from collecting material samples — Collecting material samples is explicitly authorized as part of the department's inspection rights.
   • • Right to conduct inspections strictly once per calendar year — The code does not restrict health department entry to an annual frequency limit.

10. 10. How does the new Body Art Code define 'aseptic technique'?

    • ✓ A set of specific practices and procedures performed under controlled conditions to minimize microbial contamination — The regulation defines aseptic technique through this exact goal-oriented procedural definition.
    • • The complete destruction of all microbial life using heat sterilization equipment — Complete destruction of microbial life defines sterilization, which differs from the broader procedural definition of aseptic technique.
    • • Chemical treatment of mucosal or skin surfaces using labeled antiseptic products — Applying chemical products to skin defines antiseptic use, rather than the complete set of contamination-minimizing practices.
    • • A routine sequence of swabbing equipment with high-level disinfectants before each client — Equipment swabbing alone does not encompass the full set of controlled practices defined as aseptic technique.