Dear APP Members,

The Association of Professional Piercers Membership Committee and Board of Directors thanks you for being a part of our organization. In response to overwhelming demand from our members, we have made significant strides in updating our membership requirements. To ensure all of our members are operating at the current minimum standards, we are requiring that all current members who have a video walk through and environmental criteria older than two years provide an updated video walk through and submit updated environmental criteria. If you are receiving this letter, your video walk through and environmental criteria are older than two years as of December 31, 2015.

These updates should be submitted no later than January 1st, 2016. There will be no video processing fee with digital or hard copy submissions.

You can upload all your completed forms, signed pages, photos of your autoclave(s), scans or photos of your documentation, and everything else to Google Drive as a single Google document or PDF (Google Drive is the preferred method). Upload the video to YouTube (www. youtube.com/upload), set to unlisted, and Creative Commons license. (Go to info and settings, then choose advanced settings, then Creative Commons license.) Next, copy the link to your video, paste it into the document you created, then share the completed application with media@safepiercing.org or email.

Pre-Application Processing Checklist:

• Application Form
• Copy of current CPR certificate
• Copy of current First Aid certificate
• Copy of current Bloodborne Pathogens training certificate
• A narrated unedited 360 degree video of your shop
• Photograph of all autoclaves with Make, Model, and Serial Number
• Copy of two most recent spore tests from each autoclave
• Copies of piercing aftercare sheets
• Copy of Business License
• Copy of shop/personal business card
• An example of advertising
• Copy of certificate of Liability Insurance (if applicable)
• Copy of jewelry invoices from last 90 days

Pre-submission video checklist:
Pre-Video Checklist

• Show the front of shop
• Show the back of the shop too.
• Required: Videos must be shot in LANDSCAPE view, not portrait.
• Required: No cuts or editing in the video
• Go through every drawer and closet in the shop.
• Tattoo stations may be omitted.

Front Counter

• A non-porous front counter that can be disinfected
• Disinfectant products behind counter
• Gloves behind counter
• Bags or cups for contaminated customer jewelry
• Suggested: signage asking clients not to touch jewelry
• Suggested: a thoroughly organized, neat counter and desk area

Sterilization Room

• Non-porous flooring
• Clear separation between dirty and clean
• An ultrasonic or instrument washer for piercing tools
• An employees only sign
• Does your autoclave meet requirements?
• Is your clean up room totally contained?
• “No handwashing in dirty room” sign
• Suggested: A clean jewelry ultrasonic or steam cleaner or both
• Suggested: HEPA filter

Hand washing Area

• Is it in the studio, or a separate employee handwashing area? (bathrooms and sterilization room sinks are not acceptable)
• Hands free paper towels (single hand)
• Suggested: hands free faucet (infrared or foot pedal)
• Suggested: hands free soap (infrared)

Piercing Room

• Sharps Container wall mount and placed correctly
• A Biohazard tool tray
• Lidded trash cans, foot operated or infrared
• Is your piercing studio private, with minimum 8 foot walls?
• Do you have an appropriate (non-porous, massage/dental/ medical style) piercing table
• Is your artwork framed, nonporous and easily disinfectable?
• Is your storage sealed, disinfectable and appropriate?
• Suggested: HEPA filter
• Suggested: Sterile Gloves for piercing procedures

Bathroom

• Is the bathroom clean, with an operational toilet and sink?
• Are there appropriate handwashing products in the bathroom?
• There must be no piercing related items in bathroom storage.
• Suggested: A sign that asks clients not to touch or change their jewelry in the bathroom.

The Membership Committee is available to anyone who needs any assistance in any way, shape or form. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions (members@safepiercing.org).
THE APP OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
• Brian Skellie—President
• Cody Vaughn—Vice President
• Paul King—Treasurer
• Bethrah Szumski—Secretary
• Jef Saunders—Membership Liaison
• Steve Joyner—Legislation Liaison
• Christopher Glunt—Medical Liaison
• Ash Misako—Outreach Coordinator
• Miro Hernandez—Public Relations