Virginia Tattoo Practice Test

What must the tattoo artist verify and document regarding the client?

1. Client's income and address

2. Client's age and date of birth

3. Client's previous tattoos

4. Client's reason for getting a tattoo

The correct answer is: Client's age and date of birth

The correct choice focuses on the importance of verifying and documenting the client's age and date of birth. This is crucial in tattooing practices due to legal requirements; many jurisdictions, including Virginia, have specific laws regarding the minimum age at which an individual can receive a tattoo. Ensuring that the client is of legal age helps prevent legal issues and protects both the artist and the establishment from potential liabilities. Documents typically required include a valid form of identification that clearly shows the individual's birth date. This procedure not only safeguards the rights of the artist and the business but also promotes responsible tattooing practices by ensuring that clients are making informed decisions about what is often a permanent body modification. The other options, while they may be relevant in other contexts, do not address the primary legal requirement to verify age in tattooing. For example, a client's income is not necessary for the tattoo process; previous tattoos may not impact the current tattoo service; and understanding a client's reason for a tattoo can be useful for design consultations, but it is not a legal requirement that must be documented.