What Do You Mean Tattoo Artists Weren't Licensed?

We were a little startled to see Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a new law yesterday, that will require tattoo artists and people who preform body piercings to be licensed by the state. (!!!) Ummm... you mean to tell us, that the people who were sticking us with needles--granted some are very talented--were not licensed or had strict health regulations monitoring unsanitary practices? For fuck sake people, your barber or manicurist are licensed by the state. In Oregon--considered to have strict tattoo laws--they require artists to complete 250 hours in training and pass a written a test before they get their license. Until now, Washington artists have been wielding around tattoo guns or piercing needles keeping to their own safety practices. What part of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections did the state's Health department or lawmakers not understand? All businesses will need to be in compliance by July 2010, giving the Health department ample time to start adopting rules about the sterilization of instruments, human branding and scarification.