• In Kansas, tongue piercings must be preformed by a licensed body piercer.woman with a stud image by forca from Fotolia.com
  
  Body piercing has been around for years and since the 1990s its popularity has risen steadily. The state of Kansas defines body piercing as "puncturing the skin by aid of needles in order to insert removable jewelry." However, ear piercing doesn't apply.The Kansas Board of Cosmetology has strict requirements that govern who can and cannot work as a body piercer. As of 2010, Kansas does not have age requirements for individuals who want a piercing.
  
  

Training

• Body piercing regulations are set by the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. A body piercing training program should include the study of theory and hands-on practical experience. A minimum of 600 hours of training are required and the student must preform 50 piercing procedures on his own.
  
  Students who choose to work as an apprentice to fulfill their training requirements must complete 1,200 hours of study and 50 solo piercing procedures. A student must complete five piercings for each of the following body parts: ears, nose, tongue, nipples, eyebrows, navels and labrets.
  
  

Licensing

• A body piercing student needs to complete five naval piercings in order to receive his license.piercing image by Vasily Smirnov from Fotolia.com
  
  Individuals may apply for a body piercing license after completing the required training. Kansas requires a written examination to receive a license.
  
  Applicants must be 18 years old and need to submit proof of their age. Students also need to provide a copy of their high school diploma or GED, an official transcript stating they have completed an accredited training program and paid for associated fees.
  
  A temporary license may be issued to an applicant who has demonstrated sufficient knowledge of his trade. This license allows him to legally work until the next scheduled license examination.
  
  

Body Piercing Facilities

• Any establishment that offers body piercing services must be licensed by the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. Prior to receiving a license, the facility must be inspected by a designated official. An establishment license is required along with individual practitioner licenses.
  
  Each licensed body piercer shares responsibility for maintaining sanitation requirements and a violation of these standards will result in a citation against all of the licenses held in the establishment.
  
  Facility licenses may not be transferred to new locations or owners. All licenses must be visibly displayed at all times.
  
  

Sanitation Requirements

• The Kansas Board of Cosmetology is responsible for defining sanitation standards. State laws require that the facility and its contents remain clean and in good condition, that all blood spills are to be cleaned with a hospital grade disinfectant, and that adequate lighting and ventilation is provided.
  
  Surfaces found in sterilization and treatment areas must be made of nonporous and smooth material. The establishment must have running hot and cold water available to employees that is separate from customer restrooms.
  
  All restrooms need to be in good working order and kept clean.
  
  Piercings are required to take place in a room that is separate from other business services. In addition, animals are not permitted in body piercing facilities and a nonsmoking section must be provided to customers.