The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) is an international health and safety organization. It is a nonprofit voluntary alliance dedicated to the dissemination of information about body piercing. Its Professional Business Members and Professional Members at Large are piercers who meet minimal guidelines for hygiene and safety. (Herein referred to as Piercers. Other categories of supporting members exist, but are not covered in this document.)

ALL APP Piercers uphold a set of safety and hygiene standards that are equal to, or more stringent than those established by state or local governments. The APP Piercer has at least one year of piercing experience, and all APP Piercers have knowledge of cross-contamination prevention, and appropriate sterilization.

The studios in which APP Piercers work all meet a rigorous standard of environmental criteria for health, safety, and sanitation. All APP Piercers undergo training and certification in CPR, and blood-borne pathogens and hold current first aid certification. Because many changes can occur in the industry during one year it is vital to keep current.

All APP Piercers must send in monthly spore test results for their studios autoclave (sterilizer). This will allow you the comfort of knowing that measures are taken to safeguard your health.

The APP is a united group of piercing professionals which freely shares information to help fellow members and the public to get the best and most up-to-date information. This allows you the the knowledge that you will be obtaining the safest piercing experience possible.
Is the studio recognized by the APP?

All APP Piercers will have a certificate that should be hanging on the studios wall. The certificate has an expiration date on it; make sure it is current.For a list of APP Piercers you can check out our web site at www.safepiercing.org or call 1-888-515-4APP. If you find a studio that claims to have an APP Piercer and is not on this list please call and let us know.

This information is designed to help you in your search for a safe, clean studio. It is not intended to be used to endorse only APP piercers. It is also not intended to go against a physicians advise regarding bodily health.