When it comes to becoming a professional body piercer, it is important to understand what it takes to succeed in this exciting and rewarding career. Body piercing is becoming increasingly popular and more and more people are looking to experiment with body art. Becoming a body piercer means more than just putting metal through skin, it requires a combination of skill, knowledge and technical ability. It is important to understand the industry standards and regulations, as well as have a strong commitment to safety and hygiene. To become a successful body piercer, the following will provide a useful guide for those interested in pursuing this unique profession.
- Research the industry. Learn as much as you can about body piercing to make sure you are comfortable performing this service and prepared to begin training. …
- Meet basic requirements. …
- Find a mentor. …
- Pass health and safety training. …
- Complete an apprenticeship. …
- Get a license. …
- Find a job.
What does a body piercer do?
A body piercer creates an opening in a client’s skin or other body part using specialized needles and tools so they can insert an object or a piece of jewelry. Their daily job responsibilities might include:
Body piercers either work for a studio that employs several qualified piercers or are self-employed and own their own studio. They might have flexible schedules or work regular weekday hours. To meet client demand, some piercing studios, for instance, stay open late into the evening and on weekends.
What is a body piercer?
Body piercers are artists with specialized training in inserting needles into people’s skin so they can wear jewelry on their bodies. Clients who seek body piercings for esthetic, cultural, or sensational purposes are served by body piercers. They have received training to pierce nearly any body part the client requests, including ears, eyebrows, cheeks, navels, tongues, lips, collarbone regions, and nearly any other body part.
How to become a body piercer
Body piercers have a variety of career options, but all require education and, ideally, an apprenticeship to be able to handle needles, piercing tools, and human bodies safely. Follow these steps to become a body piercer:
1. Research the industry
To ensure that you are comfortable performing this service and are ready to start training, learn as much as you can about body piercing. Read trade and lifestyle magazines about piercing, watch videos and articles about it online, or attend a seminar about it. So that you have the necessary knowledge to begin your formal training or apprenticeship, do some research on the instruments, equipment, terminology, procedures, and types of piercing.
2. Meet basic requirements
You must be at least 18 years old, have excellent vision, and have good hand-eye coordination to work as a body piercer. You should have good interpersonal skills and feel at ease working with various types of bodies and body parts. Check your state’s requirements before enrolling in training programs because some states have different requirements that people must meet in order to become piercers.
3. Find a mentor
Finding a mentor willing to train you is the first step in completing a body piercing apprenticeship, which the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) advises for all piercers. The mentor should be a qualified and seasoned body piercer with at least five years of experience. Locate professionals you respect and want to work with by researching local piercers, visiting reputable studios, and visiting their websites. Ask potential mentors if they have the time and desire to coach you in your career.
A mentor’s decision to join the APP demonstrates their commitment to their profession and level of professionalism.
4. Pass health and safety training
Because of the nature of their work, the majority of states and studios demand that body piercers complete and maintain a number of health certifications. Body piercers are accountable for both their clients’ and their own safety during piercings and are required to adhere to strict hygiene procedures. Required courses include:
The earlier you finish these health and safety courses, the sooner you can start honing your piercing techniques in a studio. You can finish them before or during your apprenticeship. Before working in a shop, you might also need to get immunized against bloodborne illnesses like hepatitis B to comply with OSHA regulations.
5. Complete an apprenticeship
You can start completing all of the requirements for a body piercing apprenticeship as soon as you have a mentor. These specifications differ depending on the studio and the piercer, but the APP suggests at least:
The apprenticeship period typically lasts six to 12 months. You gain practical experience while learning about safety, customer service, and various piercing procedures and techniques during this time. Some apprenticeships are paid, while others are unpaid.
6. Get a license
Some counties and states demand that body piercers obtain a license before working there. If you want to become a professional body piercer, see if you need a special license on the website of your state’s board of health or ask your mentor. To obtain a license, you might need to prepare for and pass an exam on regional health and safety laws. Consider taking the test to increase your job prospects even if your state does not require licensing because many studios prefer to hire licensed body piercers.
7. Find a job
Ask your mentor or the owner of the piercing studio near the end of your apprenticeship if there are any job openings you can apply for. Frequently, an apprenticeship can result in a job offer if you showed strong skills and customer service there. Otherwise, request a letter of recommendation from your mentor and start building relationships with nearby piercing shops. Make a resume, business cards, and portfolio of your work to submit with applications for body piercing jobs. Show these and your letter of recommendation to prospective employers.
Skills for a body piercer
Body piercers must possess the abilities to accurately perform piercings and communicate with clients from all walks of life. Common body piercer skills include:
Body piercer salary and job outlook
Due to the artistic and cultural traditions surrounding body piercing and the demand for skilled professionals to carry them out, the body piercing industry continues to maintain a steady level of employment and demand.
How to Become a Professional Body Piercer | UrbanBodyJewelry.com
FAQ
Do body piercers make good money?
The average yearly wage for body piercers in America is $63,283, or $30 per hour. The bottom 10% earn less than $27,000 annually, while the top 10% earn over $148,000 annually. How much should you be earning as an Body Piercer?.
Is being a piercer a good career?
Body piercing can be a lucrative, exciting, enjoyable career that offers a degree of freedom that many other more conventional professions do not.
How do you become a jewelry piercer?
- Choose the location where you want to train or work as a piercer.
- Register with your county health department. …
- Pay the annual inspection fee of $105. …
- The county health department should be contacted if there are any additional costs or rules.
